Jonathan Gribbin, Director of Public Health at Nottinghamshire County Council, has welcomed the significant milestone reached in the battle to control Covid-19, as all legal restrictions have been lifted. However, while lifting restrictions and encouraging people to take personal responsibility for their health enables communities to return to normality, residents are reminded that the pandemic is not over, and people are urged to continue to act carefully.
The World Health Organisation and SAGE have reminded people that it may take several years before we reach a stable and properly predictable situation with Covid-19.
Jonathan said:
“We have all looked forward to a time when we no longer have to be restricted by the threat of Covid-19. We are now in a new phase of dealing with the virus, and that is learning to live safely with the disease. Covid hasn’t gone away. It is still with us and we have moved from an emergency response phase where we were working to break chains of transmission, to a new phase of promoting safe and healthy behaviours as we live with Covid-19.
“While we can be optimistic about the future, we keep in mind those who have been most adversely affected by Covid-19: those who are currently in hospital, people who are unwell with long Covid or those who have sadly lost loved ones.
“As we move into the next phase of living with Covid, there are some who will feel anxious or worried about the lifting of restrictions, perhaps because of their health or other challenges. I would encourage everyone to consider those around them and to follow the safe behaviours set out in the Living with Covid plan and protect yourself and others by:
- Getting vaccinated
- Letting plenty of fresh air in if you are meeting indoors, or meeting outdoors as the weather improves
- Wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially where you come into contact with people you do not usually meet, when rates of transmission are high
- Getting a test if you have symptoms and staying home if you are positive to avoid contact with others
- Trying to stay at home if you are unwell
- Washing your hands and following advice to ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’.
“Thousands of people across Nottinghamshire have played their part over the last two years: staying home, washing hands, wearing face coverings, observing social distancing, testing regularly, self-isolating as necessary, getting vaccines and boosters. Each of these has helped to protect you and those around you, particularly the most vulnerable in our communities, and has helped prevent health and care services from becoming completely overwhelmed.
“Across Nottinghamshire, we have worked with our partner agencies to respond to Covid-19: county, city and district councils, NHS staff, Fire and Rescue Service and our army of public-spirited volunteers. And our residents. I want to extend my sincere thanks to all those who made personal sacrifices and did their bit to help us reach this point.”
ENDS