Hull City Council’s Director of Public Health, Julia Weldon, has urged Hull’s communities to act as one to follow the advice in order to protect each other.
It follows a Government announcement yesterday that people must now only leave their homes when absolutely necessary to minimise the spread of coronavirus.
People are being reassured they are not alone and essential support and help will be there when it is needed.
Julia said: “The new measures put in place by the government are unprecedented and it is absolutely essential we afford them the gravity they deserve. I must be clear – staying at home can and will save lives.
“All of us must now only leave our homes when absolutely necessary, for food, medicine, essential work or exercise. We must stay two metres from anyone we see and must not meet anyone outside our households, including friends and family.
An important message from the @CMO_England:
▪️ Only go out when absolutely necessary for food, medicine, work or exercise
▪️ Always stay 2 metres apart
▪️ Do not meet with others outside your household, even friends and family pic.twitter.com/5xK808U0to— Public Health England (@PHE_uk) March 24, 2020
“All of us can spread coronavirus and to fail to follow these measures is to put yourself and others at risk. It is not overstating the matter to say that people’s lives and sustainability of our NHS depend on us all playing our part.
“This is a difficult adjustment for us all and these are worrying and uncertain times, but I want to reassure you that we are here with you. We are now operating all of the contingency plans which ensure we can continue to care for those who need it and to provide the essential services people rely on.
Together with our local partners, our priority will remain focussing all our efforts and resources on maintaining this throughout the coming weeks.
“Throughout this time, please get in touch if you, or someone you know, needs help. Our dedicated coronavirus helpline, specifically for those without a support network, will soon be live and we are working extremely hard to ensure this happens as soon as possible. We are also putting together a team of volunteers who will help coordinate and deliver a network of support.
“Hull is a city with a powerful sense of community and solidarity. We will all help each other through this difficult time.
“I would again urge every one of you to listen to the government. Stay at home, save lives and remember that none of you are alone in this.”
The Government has been clear that every person in the country must now do the following:
- Stay at home
- Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (where this absolutely cannot be done from home)
- Stay two metres (6ft) away from other people
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home
There are a small number of exceptions, including providing help or care to a vulnerable person, and children aged under-18 whose parents are separated may go between their homes.
Read a full explanation of the new measures and stay in touch with all national updates here.
