Stay safe at home this February half-term

Families in Cheshire West and Chester are being reminded not to visit or mix with other households to contain the spread of COVID-19.

Many children will want to go out and see their friends during the half-term holidays. However, staying at home as much as possible remains the best way to protect loved ones and vulnerable people, as it will help to reduce the spread of coronavirus. 

Remember the basics of washing your hands regularly, wearing a face-covering if needed and keeping a social distance when outdoors - as this reduces the risk of spreading the virus. Sticking to the rules (even if you are vaccinated) means you continue to protect others, protect the NHS and help to keep the virus from spreading. 

When outdoors for your daily exercise you should keep a social distance from others and wash your hands as soon as you come back indoors. You should not travel to second homes or holiday homes and only stay in your local area when leaving your home. 

Around one in three people who get infected with COVID-19 do not show symptoms and so can unknowingly pass on the virus. If parents need to leave home to work, they can get a regular symptom-free test at Stanney Oaks Leisure Centre, in Ellesmere Port and Winsford Lifestyle Centre. If you live in a household with anyone under 14, you can form a ‘childcare bubble’ if needed. This allows friends or family from one other household to provide informal childcare.

If you develop symptoms of coronavirus (including a high temperature, a persistent cough and a loss of smell or taste) you must self-isolate immediately and book an NHS test. 

The Council is also asking residents who are showing 'non-classic' symptoms, such as shortness of breath, muscle or body aches, fatigue, sore throat, headache, nasal congestion or runny nose, diarrhoea, nausea or vomiting, to consider getting a coronavirus test.

If you or anyone in your household starts to develop any coronavirus symptoms, your whole household should self-isolate immediately. You can book a test at NHS test:

gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

or by calling 119 if you do not have internet access.

Ian Ashworth, Director of Public Health at Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: “Although COVID-19 cases are falling in the borough, we still need everyone to play their part and stay at home to stop the spread of the virus.

“After being homeschooled over the last few weeks we understand that children will be keen to be outdoors this half-term, but it’s important that families only go outdoors for essential reasons like daily exercise, and to keep two metres apart from those outside of your household when doing so. Although children might be in a school bubble with friends at school, this doesn’t mean you can mix with friends outside your home.

“We all need to remain vigilant to ensure our COVID-19 cases keep falling. This means you should stay local where possible and please resist the urge to meet with people outside of your bubble this half-term.”