Earlier this week people came together to take part in a minute’s silence to remember the health, care and frontline workers who have lost their lives in the Covid-19 pandemic.
It was an opportunity to remember the sacrifice they have made, their colleagues and loved ones and the importance of keeping them, as well as friends and family, safe.
However, latest figures suggest that more people have been going out to open spaces like parks and the seafront, and to shops. In some cases they are not keeping at least two metres apart, increasing the spread of Covid-19 which is highly infectious.
As the lockdown continues I understand how tempting it is to go out, but on behalf of all health and care staff, please play your part in the fight to save lives.
Every Thursday when you take part in clapping for carers, NHS and key workers, strengthen your own resolve to only leave the house when:
- Shopping for basic necessities such as food and medicines, which should be as infrequently as possible
- Taking exercise once a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household
- There is a medical need, including to donate blood, to avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person
- Travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home.
Doing this is the single most important action you can take. Reducing your day to day contact with other people will reduce the spread of the virus.
Physical distancing (also referred to as social distancing) means you must not meet up with people outside of your household. When you do go out stay two metres (six feet) apart from others.
The council has put two metre stencil markings in parks and on the seafront to help people keep a safe distance while they are out. Businesses are also enforcing by keeping people apart in queues and reducing access to premises so people can shop safely.
How to keep healthy
The Coronavirus pandemic is a worrying time for us all. It’s all too easy in uncertain times to neglect our health, especially when reducing your social contact and time spent outdoors.
Hospital A & E units are open as normal to treat emergency patients and it is important to contact your GP if you have serious health symptoms.
We’ve produced the following guidance to help you look after yourself and your loved ones
You’ll find information on:
- Mental health & wellbeing
- Financial wellbeing
- Keeping active
- Stop smoking
- Drug & alcohol use
- Bereavement
and much more
Requesting help
If you, or someone you know needs support to get essential supplies like food or medication and you don't have family, friends or a support/care worker to help you, go to new.brighton-hove.gov.uk/coronavirus-help and fill in the form with details of the help you need.
If you have no way of getting online and no one to help you, you can call 01273 293117, and press option 2 (please only call if you have no other option, leaving the phone lines free for those who really need it).
Finally, thank you for playing your part to protect yourselves and others and for continuing to practise the restrictions to help fight the virus and keep the city safe.
Alistair Hill
Director of Public Health
