Play your part to protect our community by following new COVID laws

The leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, Louise Gittins, is calling on all residents to help protect our whole community by following the Government’s new COVID legislation.

From Monday, it is against the law to meet socially in groups of more than six people in any setting, indoors or outdoors.

This ruling replaces the existing ban on gatherings of more than 30 and the current guidance on allowing two households to meet indoors.

Exemptions:

• a single household or support bubble larger than six

• places of education and workplaces

• COVID secure weddings, wedding receptions and funerals, up to a limit of 30 people

• Organised sport and exercise.

Businesses and public settings where people meet socially including hospitality and leisure venues will be legally required from Monday to record contact details of customers, visitors and staff.  The details must be stored for 21 days and shared with the Test and Trace Service, if requested.

Venues could be fined if they fail to ensure their premises remain COVID-secure, such as failing to collect contact information or taking bookings for groups of more than six.

Leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council Louise Gittins said: “The Government has introduced these new laws from Monday which are aimed at stopping the spread of the virus. The case numbers for our borough have more than doubled in a week and we are calling on everyone to continue to play their part and follow these new guidelines.

“It is important that everyone remembers this weekend and in the foreseeable future to continue to be COVID conscious, keep two metres apart, wear face coverings, wash hands and get tested if you have COVID symptoms.

“We would also like to appeal to those who may wish to make the most of the relaxed restrictions this weekend before the ruling comes in on Monday to be extra COVID conscious, the virus is present in our community and, according to our data, spreading.”

In Wales, the guidelines differ and state that up to 30 people can meet outdoors, up to six people aged over 12 years old can meet up indoors from an extended household from Monday, children over 11 years old must social distance by two metres and face coverings are mandatory in public indoor spaces.