How to stay COVID safe during half term

Pupils, parents and carers are being urged to continue playing their part in the fight against COVID-19 during half term.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is thanking teachers, parents and pupils for their efforts to contain the virus since schools reopened in September and asking them to keep up the good work during the holidays.

Cllr Louise Gittins, Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “We recognise how difficult it has been for young people, their parents and school and college staff to make the changes they need to reduce the spread of COVID-19 while still making sure our young people get the education they need.

“The work done to make and keep our schools and colleges safe is amazing – thank you.

“But we cannot be complacent – Cheshire West and Chester has been named as a high alert area and our infection rate is still rising.”

There have been 683 cases in the seven days up to 20 October and an infection rate of 199 per 100,000 people during that week.

The number of positive test results in each local authority area is updated regularly and the borough’s data can be viewed on the GOV.UK website.

Ian Ashworth, the Council’s Director of Public Health, said: “The borough has new rules as a high alert area.

“The key change is that residents cannot mix indoors – either at home or in restaurants or pubs – with anyone they don’t live with or who isn’t in their support or childcare bubble. They also cannot mix indoors with anyone who is in their class or year group bubble at school.

“People can still meet outside, as long as it is in groups of no more than six and everyone who doesn’t live in the same household keeps two metres apart.

“You can still eat out with members of your household, visit local shops and attractions and get some fresh air in the borough’s parks and woodlands.

“If we all remember the basics – washing hands regularly, covering our faces in enclosed spaces and keeping two metres apart – we can play our part to turn this around.”

How residents can play their part to reduce the infection rate:

• Wash your hands regularly with soap and warm water (or hand sanitiser if this is not available)
• Cover your face when out and about
• Keep two metres away from people outside of your household (or support bubble)
• Protect yourself. Put the NHS COVID-19 App on your phone
• Got symptoms? Get a COVID-19 test - call 119 or visit: nhs.uk/coronavirus
• Tested positive? Stay home for 10 days from symptom onset
• Avoid unnecessary travel to other areas and to North Wales which has lockdown restrictions
• Report unsafe COVID-19 practices to regulatoryservices@cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk