Stay safe this Christmas
Stay safe this Christmas |
| Given the significant rise in recent COVID-19 figures, Buckinghamshire Council is reminding all residents to stay safe this Christmas as the government relaxes some of the social contact restrictions, between 23 and 27 December. During this time, you can form an exclusive ‘Christmas Bubble’ with up to three households; however, the council would like to remind all Buckinghamshire residents that doing so is a personal choice and must always be balanced against the increased risk of contracting or spreading the infection. The Leader of Buckinghamshire Council, Martin Tett, said: “It’s only natural that at Christmas we want to be with our family and friends. However, it is important to remember the pandemic is still on the rise. We all have a responsibility to keep ourselves and those we love safe. I would therefore ask everyone to consider carefully whether forming a ‘Christmas bubble’ is in fact the right thing for you. I really don’t want to be the ‘Christmas Grinch’ but we should all now be thinking ‘just because I can, doesn’t mean I should.’ Our Christmas celebrations need to look different this year to help stop the virus spreading further. I hope that even with these changes, everyone can still have a wonderful Christmas at home this year.” If you do choose to create a ‘Christmas Bubble’, please consider taking extra precautions such as: making sure rooms get as much fresh air as possible, keep your social distance and avoid sharing household items such as towels, cutlery and glasses. And remember these four very important rules on creating a ‘Christmas Bubble’: · You can only be in one Christmas Bubble · You cannot change your Christmas Bubble · Your exclusive Christmas Bubble should not include people from more than three households · You cannot form a Christmas Bubble if you have COVID-19 symptoms or are self-isolating For more information visit GOV.UK: making a Christmas bubble with friends and family If anyone experiences symptoms of COVID-19, no matter how mild, they must stay at home and book a test through GOV.UK: get a coronavirus test or call 119. Anyone they live with should isolate as well. Symptoms include a high temperature, new continuous cough or loss or change in their sense of taste or smell. Local test centres are now available in Aylesbury and High Wycombe. Find out more about the guidance on how to stay safe and protect Bucks. Do you, or does someone you know, need a ‘Helping Hand’ over the Christmas holidays? If anyone is worried about food or warmth, and is not sure what help is available, they can call Buckinghamshire Council on 01296 531 151, Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5:30pm, Friday, 9am to 5pm. Or fill in our contact us form (using the Helping Hand option): Contact the council | Buckinghamshire Council |