Call to start wearing masks again in public as very challenging winter looms

THE people of Bristol should start wearing face masks in public again as health chiefs warn of a “very challenging winter ahead” for Covid infections and the city’s hospitals.

A joint statement issued yesterday morning from the city’s NHS leaders and council chiefs has said that, collectively, everyone in Bristol “must take action” to avoid a killer third wave of infections, hospitalisations and deaths.

After the Immensa testing centre scandal which meant thousands of people in the West were wrongly told they did not have Covid-19 and were allowed to go out into the city and infect more people, Bristol currently has almost double the level of Covid infections as the national average, and the Mayor of Bristol and the city’s NHS leaders have issued the statement calling for action.

“Our fight against coronavirus has been long, challenging and exhausting for everyone,” the statement, issued by Bristol Covid-19 Local Engagement Board, Health Protection Advisory Group and Bristol City Partners, said. “We know that everyone has had to make a sacrifice. Now we are seeing lives and livelihoods are being disrupted once again – the virus is thriving as people gather indoors and the cold weather sets in.

“Bristol must prepare for what is likely to be a very challenging winter – for us as individuals and families, but also for our NHS and social care colleagues, our schools, universities and colleges and our local business.

“Our frontline NHS and health staff are still under considerable pressure, and we ask that you be patient with staff in hospitals, surgeries or care homes, where pressures are resulting in longer waits – they are doing their best in tough circumstances.

“Our businesses and social enterprises are still at risk of closure due to staff shortages. Over the winter, our health and care systems, workers and individuals are likely to be additionally vulnerable to other cold weather pressures such as flu and winter bugs,” the statement added. Mayor Marvin Rees joined West of England Metro Mayor Dan Norris in calling for people to wear masks indoors in public, in crowded spaces and also while on public transport.

“Our rates in Bristol continue to rise, so it’s really important that we continue to do the most we can to protect one another,” he said.

“This means wearing a face covering if you’re indoors, on public transport or in crowded areas, respecting one another’s space, and washing your hands frequently.”