COVID-19: What next?

“As we take these first, tentative steps back into normal life, we must all do everything we can to keep the virus out of our communities, to prevent people becoming ill and to prevent more people from dying.”

This is the message from health and local authority leaders today as they issue a stark reminder urging people to continue to take Coronavirus seriously.

When the pandemic first threatened North East Lincolnshire, the public were asked to stay at home, a move which helped keep the levels of infection in our communities and care homes amongst the lowest in the country.

Now Cllr Phillip Jackson, Leader of the Council, Steve Pintus, Director of Public Health, Dr Peter Melton, the Clinical Commissioning Group’s Accountable Officer  and Dr Ekta Elston, the Medical Director, have issued a second direct appeal to the public.

They outline the steps the council and CCG are taking to ensure everything possible is being done to bring the virus under control while getting the local economy restarted safely. However, they admit this cannot be achieved without the cooperation of the public and have an important plea to everyone living and working in the area.

“Be patient, help us keep the infection rate down so restrictions can continue to be eased and we can all do the things we love again.”

People are being asked to:

• Keep their distance from people they don’t live with
• Only meet others outdoors and in small numbers
• Wash their hands often with soap and water
• Be aware of Coronavirus symptoms, arrange a test and make sure the whole household self isolates if anyone develops symptoms
• If you are asked to isolate because you have been in contact with someone who tests positive, please comply and stay at home
• Cover your face in places where it’s not possible to social distance (on a bus or train for example).

Doing the right thing, regardless of what you may see others doing, is how we will bring the virus under control.

For further information, please visit https://www.nelincs.gov.uk/covid-19-advice-and-guidance/.