With Christmas around the corner, traditionally it’s been a time to get together to celebrate the season.
But with COVID-19 cases higher in Devon than the national average, there are no guarantees for a risk-free event.
Dr Jenny Harries, Chief Executive of the UK Health Security Agency, was reported last week advising people to be careful about socialising. COVID-19 loves a crowd, so while there are things you can do to reduce the risk of catching or spreading coronavirus, that risk is never completely eliminated.
Tips for a safer get together:
- choosing an outdoor venue is preferable to an indoor event
- before getting together, take a COVID-19 lateral flow device (LFD) test, and only go if you’re negative and have no symptoms of infection
- wear face coverings in crowded enclosed spaces, unless exempt
- if your event is indoors, the venue should have plans in place to reduce risk, such as good hand washing facilities and making sure the room is well ventilated
- don’t go if you are showing symptoms of COVID-19; or test positive; or have been identified as a close contact of someone with Omicron and therefore need to be self-isolating
- and if you develop symptoms of coronavirus, or test positive for it, within two days following the event, you should inform NHS Test and Trace that you attended the event, to help with contact tracing