Health leaders in Somerset welcome a cautious approach as the Government unveils its plans for tackling Covid-19 during Autumn and Winter, placing an emphasis on the importance of vaccinations, testing and tracing.
In the coming weeks, a single dose of the Covid-19 vaccine will be offered to otherwise healthy 12 – 15-year-olds, with the over 50s being called up for booster jabs. Somerset County Council’s Public Health teams continue to work closely with Somerset School Leaders to provide support and information to staff, parents and pupils as well as helping vaccination centres cope with additional demand to aid the rollout of increased vaccinations.
Whilst the Government’s Covid-19 ‘Plan A’ focuses on promoting vaccines, including booster jabs and testing, ‘Plan B’ outlines restrictions that may need to be introduced should pressure on NHS and health services become unsustainable. These include asking the public to act more cautiously, mandatory vaccine passports for mass events and legally mandating face coverings.
Somerset’s Covid-19 Local Engagement Board and the NHS in Somerset are reminding residents of the simple measures we can all adopt, to avoid restrictions being placed on our day-to-day lives:
- Get vaccinated
- Get tested and self-isolate if required (still a legal requirement if you test positive)
- Let fresh air into indoor spaces
- Stay at home if you are unwell
- Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces
- Wash your hands
Trudi Grant, Director of Public Health said:
“We continue to lead the way in Somerset with our excellent rates of vaccination, especially in young people, but welcome the Government’s cautious approach. We must not rest on our laurels and strive to ensure that all our communities have access to the vaccine and the benefits it provides.
“The all-important safety measures such as wearing face coverings, letting in fresh air and keeping up with testing are as important now as they have always been. As we begin to move into Autumn, we are mindful of the pressure we might begin to see on our NHS and health services and give our sincere thanks in advance to all those doing their bit to help keep this pressure down.”
The Public Health team are working continuously to ensure all residents have access to testing facilities across the county. Please take up the offer of a free test and the vaccine. More details on how and where to get a test are available here Coronavirus – Get a test if you have symptoms (somerset.gov.uk)
As the business community in Somerset continues to get back on its feet following a busy Summer period, we remind them of the important role they can play in influencing local communities and visitor behaviour. Somerset County Council have a wide range of resources available to help, with posters, postcards and social media assets available to print and download. Stay safe (somerset.gov.uk)