*PRESS RELEASE*PRESS RELEASE*PRESS RELEASE*

Cheshire West and Chester COVID-19 Outbreak Board Position Statement - Advice to Residents post 19th July 2021

Cheshire West and Chester Council is advising that the following good practices continue after the 19th July, and use caution where people feel uncomfortable. You can read the full press release http://www.yourwestcheshire.co.uk/.../%7BD826E07F-D484...

People living, visiting and working in Cheshire West and Chester are advised to: • Get fully vaccinated – it's shown to be safe and effective against the virus, including new variants and is the best way to keep yourself from getting seriously ill. It also reduces the risk of passing the virus on to someone else • Be kind and considerate of others who may be feeling extremely nervous about the further lifting of restrictions • Continue wearing face coverings in crowded indoor areas where social distancing cannot be followed, such as supermarkets and on public transport, in health and social care settings, such as hospitals, care homes and GP surgeries, and where it would make others feel more comfortable • Continue social distancing by not unnecessarily being in crowded areas and continuing to work from home if possible • Try to meet others outside where possible • Continue to practice good hand hygiene, in particular hand washing • Keep getting tested - everyone should undertake twice weekly rapid symptom free testing using Lateral Flow Tests https://www.nhs.uk/.../regular-rapid-coronavirus-tests.../. If people experience generally associated symptoms such as a headache, a stuffed or runny nose, tiredness or weakness, aches and pains, sore throat or diarrhoea, they should take an LFT and follow up with a PCR test if the LFT test is positive. If people have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 such as a high temperature, a new continuous cough or loss or change to their sense of smell or taste they must stay at home and book a PCR test https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test • Self-isolate if you have been in contact with someone who has COVID-19, especially if you work in a high-risk setting.

Businesses and workplaces in Cheshire West and Chester are also asked to: • Continue to adhere to COVID-19 working safely guidance, including provision of washing facilities and proper ventilation with external fresh air. • Continue to engage with the Test, Trace and Isolate process, and increase testing if your workplace has had an outbreak. • Encourage your employees to get tested if they suspect they have COVID-19 symptoms and self-isolate if positive. • Encourage your employees to have both doses of the COVID-19 vaccine when it is offered.

Charities, community groups and volunteers can find useful links on CWVA’s Covid page https://chesterva.org.uk/covid-19-information-for-our.../