Stay safe this April bank holiday

Thursday, 14 April 2022 17:21

For the first time in two years, this long bank holiday weekend (15 – 18 April) offers the opportunity for family and friends to get together without any COVID-19 restrictions.

However, with rates of COVID-19 remaining high in the borough, Walsall residents are being encouraged to stay safe over the April bank holiday to help stop the spread of the virus as COVID spreads most easily when people mix and mingle.

It is important to keep up the simple habits we relied on during earlier stages of the pandemic to reduce the risk of catching COVID-19 and other illnesses to avoid passing on to others. This includes:

If you are not feeling well, stay at home
Wash hands or use hand sanitiser to kill germs before they can spread
Open a window when meeting people indoors, or get together outside
Wear a face covering in crowded places
Get vaccinated

Stephen Gunther, Director of Public Health said:

“This bank holiday weekend is the first time in two years that we can get together with family and friends without restrictions in place. However, we still need to do all we can to reduce the risk of catching and passing on respiratory illnesses like COVID-19.

“COVID rates remain high in Walsall, with the current rate in the borough at 396 per 100,000 of population. It is estimated that 1 in 14 people in the West Midlands region currently have the virus.

“This is why it is important to be extra careful, no matter how much we have been looking forward to getting together. If we do not feel well or have any symptoms of a respiratory infection like COVID-19 or a high temperature, cough, runny nose, or sore throat, we should stay at home until we are better.

“Do not risk passing on an illness to family or friends. You might be ok, but they might get seriously ill. You can resume normal activities once you feel well enough and no longer have a high temperature for at least 48 hours.

“If you are due your next vaccine dose or are thinking about taking your children to be vaccinated, please do not wait any longer. Appointments can be booked online via the NHS website or by calling 119.

“NHS services will still be available over the weekend, but please choose wisely. If you have an urgent but non-life-threatening medical need, make sure you use NHS 111 first rather than going straight to A&E.”