Watch list introduced in area

Tadcaster and Sherburn-in-Elmet have been put on the national Covid-19 watch list.
Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County CouncilRichard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council
Richard Flinton, chief executive of North Yorkshire County Council

Residents are being asked to play their part to stop the rise of the disease and avoid serious measures being introduced, in a direct appeal to Selby District and Scarborough.

Responding to the national announcement, North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum (NYLRF) Chairman, Richard Flinton, said: “We want people living across North Yorkshire and York to be able to go about their lives but we are asking they do that with a heightened awareness of the risks and while taking on some simple precautionary measures to protect themselves and everyone else.

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“We are doing everything it is possible for us to do to keep the county’s residents, communities and businesses out of more serious lockdown measures and we are asking everyone to help so we can protect our freedoms.

“Despite our efforts we have two areas now designated of concern due to the continued and growing infection rates there.

“I do not believe for one minute anyone wants the sort of restrictions we are seeing in other areas of the country, but only the personal choices everyone makes, every day, can turn the tide.

“If there is not a mammoth effort by everyone to be extra vigilant and to stick rigidly to the guidance, we have serious concerns that it will cost us all dearly and the way we go about our daily lives will inevitably be impacted further.

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“Please help us prevent more deaths, help us keep our schools open for the sake of our children and young people, help us support the economy and keep businesses operating. Do the right thing now and every day and don’t let the sacrifices made by so many of you already, be for nothing.”

Selby District Council chief executive, Janet Waggott, added, “We all need to play our own part to act against this rise in infection rates.

“Keeping to the new rule of six, maintaining distance from others, wearing a face covering where appropriate, and washing our hands more often for longer - all things we should all be doing, all of the time.

“Councils, the emergency services and health services are working hard together to take a wide range of the actions needed to protect our communities and support our businesses as far as possible. Please help us. We all have a part of play in controlling the virus.”

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An Area of Concern is the first level of intervention in a three-step process. It means that Government agencies are working more closely with NYLRF and local communities to try to prevent, contain and reduce the spread of the virus.

Unlike Areas of Intervention or Areas of Enhanced Support, an Area of Concern does not face additional lockdown requirements at this stage as long as people act to contain and reduce the spread of the virus.

What this means for people living in Scarborough and Selby areas is that people are asked to:

* Exercise extra vigilance in sticking rigorously to hand hygiene and social distancing guidance;

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* Use face coverings when leaving home while community infection levels are increasing and avoid crowds;

* Stick to the ‘rule of six’;

* Take extra care when leaving home if you have an underlying health condition or have been advised to shield;

* If you have covid symptoms, you must get a test. Isolate until you get a test and persist in trying to book one if you are experiencing difficulties.

* If you do not have symptoms, do not get a test, unless directed to do so. Priority is being given to those with symptoms.