Herefordshire Council urge residents to stay at home

Herefordshire Council are urging residents to STAY AT HOME in order to protect the NHS and save lives, following the Government’s announcement of a third national lockdown.

The instruction comes in the wake of a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases across the country, including Herefordshire, in recent weeks.

The latest guidance stipulates people should only leave home for specific reasons:

• shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
• go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
• exercise once a day locally with one person from your household (or support bubble) or one other person
• meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
• seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
• attend education or childcare – for those eligible

The lockdown is due to last until at least mid-February. For full details of the Government’s lockdown rules visit www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

Herefordshire’s Acting Director of Public Health Dr Rebecca Howell-Jones said: “Throughout this pandemic, the vast majority of Herefordshire residents and businesses have shown extraordinary levels of compliance to the COVID-19 rules in order to protect themselves, their loved ones and wider communities against this highly contagious and sometimes lethal virus.

“But, with the new variant spreading rapidly in our communities, the pressure on our health and care services is now greater than at any other time in this pandemic.

“We ask that Herefordshire residents step up to the plate once again and STAY AT HOME to protect the NHS and save lives. We know this an extremely difficult time for many people but there is help for our most vulnerable members of society.”

Anyone who has medical appointments should attend as normal, while people concerned about their physical health and/or mental wellbeing are advised to seek the help and support they need, for example through the NHS 111 phone number.

Dr Howell-Jones added: “I want to remind everyone to continue following the guidance on washing their hands regularly and thoroughly, always using a face covering in shops and other indoor public settings, and social distancing. This plays a vital part in reducing the spread of COVID-19.”