Hull’s public health lead has urged residents to make sure they follow the latest Coronavirus restrictions. The call follows the Government announcement that ‘Plan B’ will be implemented. In an attempt to curb the spread of the new Omicron variant and stem the general rise in cases, several additional measures have been introduced.
These include:
- Masks required in theatres, and cinemas in addition to shops and public transport (from Friday)
- Work from home if possible (from Monday)
- Covid-passes – showing you are vaccinated or have had a recent negative LFT – for nightclubs, indoor unseated venues with more than 500 people, unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people and any event with more than 10,000 people.
Julia Weldon, Director of Public Health at Hull City Council, said: “The time is right to do more to prevent the spread of the virus. Our local cases are high and although our hospital admissions and the number of people seriously ill is currently low, this can change quickly with a sudden spike in numbers of people with the virus.
“We should all make sure we understand the new changes, which should help slow the spread of Omicron and offer us all some additional protection. These will include working from home for everyone who’s able, masks required in additional places including theatres, places of worship and cinemas. You will also now need a Covid pass in some settings including nightclubs and large indoor and outdoor events, to show you’re vaccinated or have taken a recent negative Lateral Flow Test (LFT). You can get the pass through the NHS Covid app, which is also the best way to know if you’re at risk from Coronavirus.
“We can see that nationally Omicron is spreading very quickly so it’s vital to do what we can to slow that down. Once the new strain is in Hull, we know that cases will increase quickly – these additional measures are the most effective way to influence that.
“Our message locally has long been that we must follow the national guidance, but we don’t have to stop there. We can protect ourselves and each other by taking all the precautions we can. We can wear masks in all crowded and enclosed spaces, not just the ones we must be law, take LFTs before meeting up particularly if anyone in your group is vulnerable, stay at home as much as possible if we’re unwell, even if we don’t have Covid symptoms.
“Getting all doses of the vaccine including your booster when offered is still the best protection you can get from all variants of the virus. The best way to stop spreading it to others is to isolate immediately and test if you have Covid symptoms, which remain a cough, temperature or can’t taste food or drink. You must also isolate if advised by NHS Test and Trace, including through the app”.
For the latest change to Coronavirus restrictions, visit the government website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Book a PCR test if you are advised or have symptoms (a temperature, cough or food or drink tastes or smells different) here: https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
Have a no-symptom test or collect at home kits in our unit inside Princes Quay, Monday to Friday, 9.30am- 3.30pm and Saturday 9.30am-1.30pm, or from your local Customer Contact Centre, or at pharmacies.
Find the app by searching ‘NHS Covid app’ on Google Play or App Store.
