Go outdoors for the Euros urges borough’s Public Health team

Football fans across Cheshire West and Chester are being encouraged to put COVID safety first when the European Championships kick-off this weekend.

And the message for all fans of the beautiful game is – if you’re having a gathering to watch the match then take it outdoors to ensure plenty of fresh air and space to social distance.

The start of the Euro 2020 football tournament is expected to draw larger crowds to pubs and bars over the next couple of weeks as people meet with friends to enjoy the matches.

However, the borough is currently experiencing a steep rise in cases of the COVID-19 Delta variant. The seven day case rate to 5 June is 101 cases per 100,000 of population, compared to five cases per 100,000 on 27 May. 

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Public Health team is advising residents this weekend to remember to wash hands, cover their faces, observe social distancing and spend as much time as possible outdoors when congregating, to prevent cases increasing further.

Residents are advised to get tested regularly, especially before visiting hospitality venues, and get vaccinated if they are eligible.

Ian Ashworth, Director of Public Health for Cheshire West and Chester, said: “The Delta variant is spreading quickly through our borough and across the North West of England.

“Thousands of Northwich and Winsford residents had a PCR test in the last week, helping to protect family members while also giving valuable information to our teams tracking the spread of the virus. We know that it is also spreading in our other towns.

“We know that many of our residents have been vaccinated or are in the process of getting their first or second jab. This is great news because it will stop people from getting seriously ill from COVID-19.

“However, we also know that there are some in our community who are not vaccinated and that, while we encourage them to go and get a vaccination, we have to protect them from getting ill.

“There is the potential for the virus to spread further among crowds gathering to watch Euro 2020. Today, we are advising residents to continue to remember: hands, face, space and fresh air. Let’s all play our part to stop any more people from getting sick and dying from this disease.”

• You can keep up to date with the latest information about COVID in our borough through Cheshire West and Chester Council’s website: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov and through the Council’s social media channels – Twitter: @Go_CheshireWest facebook.com/cheshirewest
• For more information about testing visit: www.cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/c19testing
• Anyone who is eligible and has not yet received their first vaccination is encouraged to book in using the national booking portal https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/ . Anyone due for their second dose should also take up the offer as soon as possible.

Pictured - Ian Ashworth, Director of Public Health for Cheshire West and Chester.