Respect the advice on social distancing for you and your families...
MAYOR AND HEALTH CHIEF PLEAD WITH PUBLIC TO MINIMISE RISK OF CATCHING VIRUS
THE mayor and Greater Manchester’s senior public health official have pleaded with the public to follow government advice and stop going to the pub – in order to protect their family from coronavirus.
Many members of the public have still been visiting bars, cafes and restaurants in recent days despite Boris Johnson announcing on Monday that everyone, including those without underlying health conditions, should avoid ‘social mixing in the community,’ including all such venues.
However, the mayor and Professor Kate Ardern, who leads on public health for Greater Manchester’s health protection and emergency planning and response, both said that even though people may want to support their local businesses, the protection of their loved ones should come first.
“I would definitely urge people who are still going to our pubs, or to pubs and restaurants - however hard it is for our businesses - this is about people protecting both themselves and their loved ones,” said Prof Ardern.
“And I wouldn’t want to think that people are not taking those social distancing measures seriously.
“This is the best thing you can do to actually protect your mum, your dad, your grandparents, so please don’t continue to go on as normal in terms of going to the pub.
“Respect the advice on social distancing for yourself and your families.”
The press conference was taking place following the first meeting of Greater Manchester’s new coronavirus committee, which Mr Burnham said was aimed at ensuring there are no ‘gaps’ in responding to the pandemic that may have otherwise been missed.
He echoed Prof Ardern’s message, stressing that the public have a key part to play in preventing the virus’s spread.
“That isn’t following the advice that’s been given,” he said, of people who are still going out to the pub.
“And even though it’s difficult for our businesses we would say that the advice very much should be followed at particular this moment in time.”
‘Social distancing’ guidance issued by the government on Monday advised everyone to avoid unnecessary social contact, including in public venues such as pubs, cinemas and theatres, in order to suppress the spread of the virus as it heads towards its peak. It also advises people not to travel unnecessarily and to avoid contact with other people in their own home, as well as to work from home if possible and access public services such as the NHS remotely if they can.
But while public transport in Greater Manchester has been emptier and the Arndale Centre was yesterday much quieter than usual, in outlying suburbs many pubs and bars have continued to attract considerable custom.
Other countries, such as France, have closed down venues entirely - a move the government has not yet sought to follow – and introduced a legal quarantine that means people can be fined if they leave the house without the necessary permission. ●