'Stay at home to save lives and stop COVID-19 spread' warns Worcestershire Director of Public Health - The Droitwich Standard

'Stay at home to save lives and stop COVID-19 spread' warns Worcestershire Director of Public Health

Droitwich Editorial 23rd Mar, 2020   0

WORCESTERSHIRE’S Director of Public Health is urging everyone to stay at home to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Dr Kathryn Cobain issued the plea yesterday, saying it would preserve life – everyone, even the healthy, should avoid contact with others, stay away from social groups and stop visiting family,

She added the highest level of social distancing was vital to keep everyone safe and protect the most vulnerable.

The following advice was issue –




Everyone should be taking part in social distancing. Even if you are feeling well, follow the advice.

Avoid contact with other people. Keep two metres away from everyone else at all times.


Change your behaviour. Don’t go anywhere to join groups of people. Don’t have visitors to your house. Work from home if you possibly can.

Social distancing doesn’t mean you need to lock yourself away. Fresh air and exercise are still vitally important but enjoy these alone. Do not meet up with family and friends who do not live with you.

Critical workers of course have to be in work and Worcestershire County Council said it recognised the enormously important role they have in providing care and support.

“We will do what we can to help and to ensure they are able to do their job whilst their children are kept safe.”

Schools an education settings in Worcestershire have a key role to play in meeting priorities to preserve life and prevent COVID-19 spreading, along with keeping critical services going.

The county council said it was committed to enabling those workers, critical to the response to coronavirus, to attend their workplace over the coming weeks and months.

Any of those workers who could not keep their children at home have been guaranteed a safe place for them, while they work on the frontline.

“We can only do this if everyone uses this provision only when you really need it.

“Please consider this as an option of last resort.

“Children who cannot be safely looked after at home, are vulnerable, or need specialist support will be provided for,” added the county council’s statement.

Dr Cobain said: “It is extremely important that we all stay at home. By avoiding social contact with others, we are saving lives. It may feel difficult and isolating to be avoiding other people, but this measure is essential if we are to prevent the spread of the virus.

“I’d encourage everyone to stay at home, work from home if possible, and keep children at home.

“Critical workers are of course an essential part of our response to the virus, and we will support them.

“The safest place for their children is also at home. I’d encourage our critical workers only to send their children to school if absolutely necessary.

“This is to keep us all safe.”

Visit GOV.UK for more on the latest social distancing guidelines and go to worcestershire.gov.uk/coronavirus for more advice on COVID-19.

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