A “stark” warning letter outlining the clear danger of a local lockdown facing Bath and North East Somerset is being sent to all households in the area this week.
Residents will receive the letter from council leader Dine Romero and chief executive Will Godfrey.
It urges everyone to play their part to stop the spread of coronavirus and in so doing, avoid local lockdown restrictions.
England is now operating under a three-tier coronavirus strategy which divides the nation into areas of medium, high and very high alert levels. Local lockdown restrictions apply in high and very high areas.
Bath & North East Somerset is on medium alert level, which means when seeing friends and family you do not live with (or who are not part of your support bubble), you must not meet in a group of more than six, indoors or outdoors. In England, this limit of six includes children of any age.
Cases locally are rising and there is a real chance the area will be subject to higher level restrictions unless residents:
- Follow all the rules, including on hand-washing, face coverings, social distancing, and gatherings.
- Remember- Hands: Face: Space.
- If you have symptoms, self-isolate and book a test on 119 or online at nhs.uk/coronavirus
- Follow instructions from Test and Trace
The letter also provides essential contact and other information including how to get help if you are self-isolating and the support available for vulnerable people, as well as how to sign up for the council’s weekly e-newsletter.
Councillor Dine Romero, council leader, said: “We are appealing directly to all residents because of the very serious danger facing the area if the number of Covid cases continues to rise.
“We can avoid lockdown if we follow the guidance and each take action to prevent the transmission of Covid-19.
“You will have heard the same message many times about hands, face, space and we are reinforcing these messages through a new series of posters at bus stops, on Park and Ride Buses, online and in our letter to residents
“As well as individual action I want to reassure you that where there are cases our public health team is working with Public Health England and those affected, to ensure practical measures are put in place to control the virus. But we are in real danger of lockdown if people don’t follow the rules.”
Will Godfrey, B&NES chief executive, added: “We want to reassure residents that the council continues to provide services, support local business and support the most vulnerable in our communities. Please play your part to stop the spread.”
People are required by law to self-isolate if they test positive or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
If you’re asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace and you’re on a low income, unable to work from home and will lose income as a result, you may be entitled to a payment of £500 under the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.
The scheme runs until 31st January 2021.
