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The region’s ten directors of public health say the new strain of Covid-19, which is said to be behind huge spikes in southern England, is “extremely concerning.”
Anyone who has traveled to Greater Manchester from ‘Level 4’ areas, or Wales, by Christmas is told to self-isolate for at least ten days, warning that the new strain of Covid-19 is ‘extremely concerning’ .
The ten directors of public health in the conurbation issued the dramatic call in a statement this afternoon, urging anyone who comes to stay in the home they are staying in during that period, starting Saturday, December 19.
They are warned not to have visitors during that time, even on Christmas Day, although people in the same household do not need to isolate themselves unless someone develops symptoms.
Effectively, it means that anyone traveling here from London, much of the South East and Wales is told not to go out or have holiday gatherings until December 29.
That goes far beyond any national guidance from the government, although ministers have already warned anyone living in Level 4 areas not to travel.
However, there were widely publicized scenes at London’s St Pancras station of people fleeing the capital north before the new national rules came in at midnight on Sunday and public health departments here are alarmed that the new strain of Covid in circulation could be about to hit us. communities too.
They also warn everyone else in Greater Manchester to “be very careful from now on.”
Dr. Jeanelle de Gruchy is the Director of Public Health at Tameside. She said: “The new strain of Covid, which is increasingly rapidly in Level 4 areas, is extremely concerning. It is incredibly infectious and if you come into contact with someone with this strain, they are much more likely to contract it than the original strain.
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“We are so concerned about the possible serious impact of this that we have made the difficult decision to ask anyone who has traveled here for Christmas from any Level 4 area or Wales to act like they have this new variant, even if they have no symptoms and self-isolation for at least ten days. “
While other people living in the same house do not need to isolate themselves, “visitors should not be allowed in that house, not even on Christmas Day.”
“We ask people to follow the same rules as households when asking school-age children to isolate themselves after coming into contact with someone who is positive,” he said.
“The individual is the only one who needs to isolate themselves, but if, during that time, someone in the home has symptoms, everyone should isolate themselves and the person with symptoms should be tested immediately.”
On Saturday, the prime minister announced at a Downing Street briefing that a new strain of Covid, said to be considerably more infectious than previous types, was thought to be behind skyrocketing rates in south-east England.
A new ‘Tier 4’ category was introduced, effectively the same rules that applied during the November national lockdown, for the capital and many surrounding areas, and people living there were told not to leave or to mix households during Christmas.
A national blockade was then introduced in Wales for the same reason.
However, the move disrupted many people’s plans, with some still choosing to head to areas like Greater Manchester for Christmas, while others had already arrived.
The Manchester Evening News understands that there is concern that the tension is already part of the rate hike in areas like Lancashire and Cumbria, although officials are not believed to have identified significant levels here so far.
However, they fear that the infectivity of the new strain, combined with the Christmas trips, means it could simply be a matter of time.
As a result, Greater Manchester public health departments are asking “each and every person in Greater Manchester to be very careful from now on,” said Dr de Gruchy.
“You can minimize your chances of contracting Covid, even the new strain, by scrupulously following the guidelines to stay at least six feet from people at all times, wear a face cover, wash your hands frequently, and stay in well-ventilated areas. ” she said.
“If you are inside, this means having the windows open for at least 15 to 20 minutes every hour.
“We know that many people have been doing their bit for so long, and we know that everyone desperately wishes we can see the restrictions end, but it is more important than ever that we go the extra mile to keep our friends and family safe. In the next weeks “.
For details on self-isolation, including when to get tested, visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
For more information and guidance on staying safe, visit www.DoYourBitGM.org.
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