Coronavirus: Residents urged to follow the Rule of Six when meeting indoors to help avoid a local lockdown

With a fast-rising COVID-19 case rate in Shropshire, the council’s director of public health is strongly advising people to follow the limit contact with people outside of their household bubble.

Shropshire is at critical point in the battle against COVID-19. As of yesterday (Monday 19 October 2020) Public Health England put Shropshire’s case rate at 90.4 per 100,000.

The council is pleading with residents to keep their distance from anyone they do not live with, except for close friends or family who are part of their support bubble.

Under Shropshire’s current restrictions, no more than six people can gather together – either indoors or outdoors. People should also follow social distancing (2 metres apart where possible) when meeting.

If it is not possible to observe the 2m distance indoors, people should follow other measures designed to keep them safe, such as wearing face coverings, opening windows and doors to increase ventilation or moving outdoors.

Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Councils’s director of public health, said:

“This year has been incredibly difficult for everyone in Shropshire and we appreciate all the sacrifices that our residents and businesses have made to help protect each other.

“However, I cannot stress enough that community household transmission is a large factor in spreading the virus. If we are mixing indoors with up to six people, we are at risk.

“Over the past few weeks, we have seen a sharp increase in the number of household transmissions. It’s understandable that people want to mix and socialise with friends and family after being deprived of this during lockdown.

“There is a sense that people are becoming complacent when meeting at home. We still need to keep 2 metres apart from people that are not in our household bubble.

“We all need to protect ourselves and each other.

“We are on the brink of having tougher restriction imposed on us. I am urging all residents to act now and limit their contact with anyone they do not live with, except for close friends or family who are part of their support bubble.

“I truly believe that if people take this advice on board, it will help us reduce our rates of infection.”

Dean Carroll, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for adult social care, public health and climate change, said:

“The news that rates have continued to rise sharply in Shropshire means there is absolutely no room for complacency.

“Every social interaction is the opportunity for the virus to infect and spread. We know it’s extremely difficult, but we ask residents to be extra cautious by limiting the number of people we’re in contact with socially.

“Please keep to 2m apart from people outside your bubble. It may be tempting to let your guard down, especially when meeting in the comfort of your own home, but household infections are huge contributing factor to our rising case rate.”

Further information

Step Up and help us stop the spread of coronavirus:

• Work from home if you can
• Limit contact with other people
• Keep your distance from people not in your household bubble (2 metres apart where possible)
• Stick to a maximum group of 6 people when meeting socially – indoors or outdoors
• Wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
• Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms
• Wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will meet people you do not normally meet.
• Anyone who has any symptoms should book a test and not leave home for at least 10 days. Those living in households should self-isolate for 14 days if they or any members of the household receive a positive test.
• You can book a test by calling 119 or click here

Download ‘Step Up Shropshire’ posters here.

For local advice and support during the pandemic (especially if you are self-isolating), call Shropshire Council’s COVID-19 Helpline on 0345 678 9028 (lines open on the weekend on Saturday from 9am-4pm and Sunday 9am-12pm) or visit our website at www.shropshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.