NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) advises public to not forget social distancing guidance

NHS North Yorkshire Clinical Commissioning Group is calling on local people to continue to be cautious in their response to the coronavirus pandemic.

This is after the Prime Minister’s latest announcement relaxing lockdown guidance.

Dr Peter Billingsley, the CCG lead for vulnerable people said  “We understand the lifting of lockdown restrictions will come as very positive news to a lot of North Yorkshire residents. However, it is still crucial that everyone remembers that the coronavirus pandemic has not gone away, and people must continue to follow the two metre social distancing rule where possible.

 “Although the new restrictions from 4 July talk about social distancing of ‘1 metre plus’ the advice to stay 2 metres apart remains in place unless this is not possible. If 2 metres is not possible then the ‘1 metre plus’ guidance should include additional measures such as wearing a face covering or mask, installing screens where possible, sitting side by side rather than face to face and continuing to wash your hands regularly. The advice is also to still to continue to work from home if you can.”

After 4 July lockdown relaxations include the managed reopening of pubs, cafes and restaurants, hotels and B&Bs, cinemas, visitor attractions and hairdressers if they can do so safely.

Other public places such as libraries, places of worship and outdoor playgrounds will also be able to open and people will be able to meet in groups of up to two households in any location, indoors or outdoors, providing social distancing remains in place; and people can stay overnight away from home with their own household, or with one other household, providing social distancing is in place.

There will be a number of changes in the way businesses are run, and workplaces will have to meet the new Covid-19 guidelines before opening, which aim to keep everyone – workers and customers – as safe as possible.

Dr Billingsley concluded “By remembering to maintain 2 metres social distancing wherever possible, washing hands often and continuing to work from home where this is practical we can all help to ensure we avoid a second spike of the virus.”

For reliable, up to date information on Covid-19, please visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus or www.nhs.uk/coronavirus.