Islanders are being urged to be cautious when the coronavirus restrictions are eased in England next week (Monday 19 July).
You can read more about the Government decision on their website.
Restrictions on social distancing, group sizes, working from home, face covering, attending weddings, funerals and other life events will all be removed.
We will all need to help stop the spread of the virus by continuing to be cautious with our behaviour.
COVID-19 is still a very risky disease for all of us and we must consider the effect our actions will have on ourselves, our loved ones and the rest of our community.
There are some things we can all do to help stop the virus spreading:
- Meet outdoors where possible and let fresh air into homes or other enclosed spaces.
- Limit close contact with people you don’t usually live with, and increase close contact slowly.
- Think about other people and consider wearing a face covering in crowded or enclosed spaces such as public transport.
- Take a gradual return to work.
- Get two doses of the vaccine. You can make appointments or go to a walk-in clinic.
- Keep taking regular rapid response LFT tests.
- Self-isolate and take a PCR test when you get symptoms.
- Self-isolate when asked to do so by NHS Test and Trace
With COVID-19 still circulating in the community, Simon Bryant, director of public health on the Island, said it was important to remember the actions we can all take to keep ourselves and others safe.
He said:
“The pandemic is not over and the disease carries risks for all of us, but particularly the most vulnerable members of our Island community.
"We know getting vaccinated helps protect ourselves and others. Reduced transmission of the virus minimises the development of new variants.
"My two key messages are please take a cautious approach and get vaccinated. Doing both of these will really help stop the spread and protect the NHS as cases rise and hospitalisations increase.”
Councillor Karl Love, Cabinet lead for public health, urged Islanders to get vaccinated to help protect the community.
He said:
"It’s especially important that all our young people are now vaccinated to complete the loop and prevent further spread of the virus.
"As lockdown restrictions are lifted, it’s still wise to continue wearing your face covering. I also encourage those who travel backwards and forwards across the Solent to keep testing using the free lateral flow kits obtained at local pharmacies."
For more local information on COVID-19, visit keeptheislandsafe.org
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