Advice from the experts

HAS BEEN FOUND

PUBLIC health bosses in the city and county echoed Lisa’s plea.

Professor Ivan Browne, director of public health for Leicester City Council, and Mike Sandys, his county council counterpart, both urged caution over Christmas.

Professor Browne said: “Please think very carefully about the risks of getting together at Christmas, especially if you have elderly or vulnerable people in your family.

“Perhaps consider postponing your plans until the spring and find other ways to have contact and show that you care. No one wants the new year to start with a spike in Covid-19 cases, so it’s in all our interests to act with caution over the coming days and weeks.”

Mr Sandys has also made a renewed plea for people to “think long and hard” about plans they have, even though Christmas bubbles are only set to last for one day instead of the five.

He said: “I’m urging families to take a sensible approach when making any arrangements.

“I know it is tough, especially as people were told one thing, probably made plans, and then got told to undo them but the virus doesn’t respect Christmas and the situation is getting more serious and we need to be mindful of that.

“Whatever families agree on after thinking long and hard about the situation, it’s vital that the national advice is followed.

“That’s around hand washing, cleaning door handles and surfaces, socially distancing from anyone you do not live with and, where possible, opening windows and doors.”

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