TRAVEL WARNING
CALDERDALE Council’s director of Public Health has urged anyone travelling back to the area from London, the South East or Wales to selfisolate over the Christmas period following the emergence of the new strain of Covid.
Deborah Harkins said those who had travelled to Calderdale from any of the above areas should ‘act as though they have the new strain’ and self isolate for ten days – including Christmas Day.
Rachel Spencer-Henshall, director of Public Health for Kirklees Council, stopped short of asking people to self-isolate but said it was now more important than ever that ‘we keep our contact with each other to a minimum.’
It follows news that the mutant strain of the virus could be 70 per cent more infectious, although Health Secretary Matt Hancock has previously said there is nothing to currently suggest it is more likely to cause serious disease. London and the south east, where the new variant has been rapidly spreading, is currently under tight Tier 4 restrictions and it emerged yesterday evening that more areas could be put into Tier 4 on Boxing Day.
It has led to a Calderdale Council health chief appealing for people to immediately isolate if they are travelling up from London and the south east to Calderdale – possibly placing Christmas plans in jeopardy.
Deborah said: “The discovery and rapid increase of the new strain of Covid is extremely concerning and although we know the rate is particularly high in Tier 4 locations, unfortunately the strain is almost certainly already in our area.
“Studies are ongoing into the properties of the new strain, but we do know that it is extremely infectious and if you come in to contact with someone with this strain you are far more likely to catch it.
“I would urge everyone to be even more stringent in following the guidelines, and limit contact with others as much as possible.
“If people have travelled to our area from London, the south east or Wales in recent days we also recommend that they act as though they have the new strain and self-isolate at home, with no visitors allowed in that house at all for 10 days, even on Christmas Day.
“We know this is further upsetting news, but it’s so important we take this seriously. The virus doesn’t take time off for Christmas and the infection rate in Calderdale is still very high. There is a real risk of Christmas mixing increasing rates further, putting lives at risk and adding to existing pressure on the NHS.
“We want people to have an enjoyable festive period, but above all it should be a safe one. It’s so important that we consider the serious potential consequences of our actions and don’t put loved ones at risk.”
Addressing the new strain of the virus and what it meant for Christmas, Rachel-Spencer Henshall, said: “With a new strain of the virus out there, it’s more important than ever we keep our contact with each other to minimum.
“The evidence very strongly suggests that this strain spreads even more easily than we’ve seen previously. The best way to stay safe is to follow the government guidance and reduce contact with people outside your household. If you do have people visiting for Christmas, especially from high rate areas, it’s important that everyone understands the risk you are taking.”