Coronavirus: Shropshire residents asked not to travel to Tier 4 areas this Christmas
Shropshire residents are being strongly urged not to travel to Tier 4 areas – and vice-versa – for the festive break.
The plea comes after a new and more contagious strain of coronavirus was discovered, which has been prevalent in London and parts of the South East and East of England.
On Saturday, these areas were moved into a new Tier 4, with travel into and out of these areas now illegal.
Christmas arrangements for the whole of England have now been changed so that even outside these areas you can only meet on Christmas Day.
Rachel Robinson, Shropshire Council’s director of public health, said:
“The concern is that this version of coronavirus can spread more easily. Even though Shropshire is not in Tier 4, our cases are increasing and there is a strong chance that the new variant is circulating in the area.
“It is not unusual to see a virus mutate. The new version of the virus was spotted after a very, very rapid increase in cases in Kent and the South East and the change to the virus has been – and continues to be – analysed by scientists.
“After what has been a challenging 2020, I know many people were hanging on to the hope of spending time with their loved ones this Christmas. However, the greatest gift anyone can give this Christmas and New Year is keeping yourself and your family safe.
“If you were planning on travelling to a Tier 4 area, please don’t and remain at home. If you are currently in a Tier 4 region and were planning on returning to Shropshire for Christmas, please stay at home and protect your loved ones.
“We are asking anyone who has travelled to the region from any Tier 4 areas or Wales, to assume they have the new variant of COVID-19 and self-isolate for at least ten days when they arrive. This means remaining inside the house where they’re staying for the whole ten days. Other people who live in the house do not need to self-isolate unless anyone gets symptoms, but no visitors should be allowed in that house at all, even on Christmas Day.”
Rapid testing is available for people who have travelled from a Tier 4 area or Wales. Please note this testing is only available if you do not have any covid symptoms. You will still need to self-isolate, regardless of the result of this test.
Rapid tests can be booked using the following link – http://www.shropshire.gov.uk/lfdpublictesting/
If you have travelled from a Tier 4 area and have symptoms, you MUST get tested by calling 119 or https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test . You MUST self-isolate for 10 days, and don’t wait for your test result to start self-isolating.
here are some key things you can do:
- Do not travel to Tier 4 areas
- Although our region is not in Tier 4, rates are increasing, and it is highly likely that the new variant is circulating. So please reduce your contact to a minimum, and act like people you see have the virus. Remember that people may have the virus and show no symptoms.
- Change your Christmas plans as much as you can. You can only meet your Christmas bubble on 25 December. Keep your visit as short as possible, as few people as possible and outdoors if you can.
- If you have COVID-19 symptoms you MUST get tested by calling 119 or online. You MUST self-isolate for 10 days, and don’t wait for your test result to start self-isolating.
- If you need help with food, call Shropshire Council’s dedicated helpline: 0345 678 9028 or email customerfirst@shropshire.gov.uk
- Look out for other people: pick up the phone, see people online and check if they are OK. Ask for help if you’re not – it’s OK to feel sad, frustrated or out of hope. There is further information available here.
