Community News - 30 October 2020

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Community News, Derbyshire County Council.

30 October 2020

Urgent information for local groups, societies, clubs, parish and town councils – please share widely. Thank you


MESSAGE TO DERBYSHIRE RESIDENTS FROM DERBYSHIRE’S PUBLIC HEALTH DIRECTOR

Hello, I’m Dean Wallace, Director of Public Health for Derbyshire.

It’s my job to protect the health of Derbyshire people and a huge part of mine, and my team’s work, is to help prevent the spread of coronavirus in our communities.

Despite all of our best efforts in sticking to the rules and doing the right thing, confirmed cases continue to rise across the county as they are nationally.

From tomorrow, the whole of Derbyshire will be placed on the Government’s tier 2 ‘high’ Covid alert and I’m urging everyone in your community to follow the tighter ‘lockdown’ rules to help avoid the county being moved to the even higher tier 3 level.

As well as following the national guidance to wash hands, make space and cover your face, the following Government restrictions will be in place:

  • people shouldn't mix indoors with anyone who isn't in their household or support bubble – whether at home, someone else’s home, pubs, restaurants, hotels or other hospitality venues, leisure venues or shops
  • outdoors, people should stick to the rule of 6, including children.
  • if going on holiday, this should only be with the people they live with or that are in their support bubble
  • family and friends can provide informal childcare as part of a childcare bubble - the bubble is limited to two households only so that informal childcare is provided by the same carers each time
  • people can only visit care homes in exceptional circumstances
  • all businesses, leisure facilities and other places which are allowed to open by law can remain open providing they meet COVID-19 secure guidance
  • pubs, bars restaurants and other hospitality venues close at 10pm - drive-through services, click and collect and delivery services can continue after 10pm

I realise that these extra restrictions will be frustrating but if anyone is under the illusion that they’re not at risk, I’m afraid they’re wrong. You only have to look at what’s happening over the border in places like Manchester, Sheffield and Nottingham to know that this isn’t over.

I’d like to ask you all to summon your famous Derbyshire spirit and follow this guidance to keep yourself and your loved ones safe – particularly as we’re seeing a lot of community transmission.

Test and Trace data should continue to be collected in venues such as pubs, restaurants and cafes.

And for parents and carers it also means making sure teenagers and young people are following the rules as they can pass the virus on to elderly or vulnerable relatives.

We all have a duty to do what we can to stop the spread of this contagious virus so our children can keep on learning, for example, and to protect our health and care staff looking after vulnerable people and ensuring people can still access routine or vital hospital treatment.

I’m really proud of the way our communities have supported each other through this epidemic but we simply cannot afford to take our eye off the ball.

You can find out more about the restrictions or to sign up for coronavirus news, guidance and support for your area at www.derbyshire.gov.uk/covidmeasures

Visit www.derbyshire.gov.uk/coronaviruscases  for more information about cases in Derbyshire and for information on how to stay safe go to www.derbyshire.gov.uk/coronavirus

Thanks for your time – let’s Do this for Derbyshire.