Coronavirus (Covid-19) update -
13 October 2020
Welcome to a special Coronavirus (Covid-19) update for East Devon residents with information we hope will be of interest to you.
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So what does that mean?
Following the Government's announcement yesterday about the three-tiered system of local COVID Alert Levels East Devon, as well as the rest of the county of Devon, is at 'medium’ alert level. What does that mean?
Dr Virginia Pearson, Director of Public Health Devon, explains:
“Like most counties, Devon is currently assigned to be in the ‘medium’ alert level. There is no ‘low’ tier, so ‘medium’ is the lowest of the Prime Minister’s three alert levels, which are currently being debated in Parliament before likely adoption on Wednesday.
“Most immediately, it means that we stay on track with the national and local measures that we have already got in place.
“From the public point of view that includes meeting in groups no larger than six people, and certain businesses that sell food and drink on their premises are required to close between 10pm and 5am.
“Schools, universities and places of worship will remain open, and weddings and funerals can go ahead, but with restricted numbers of attendees.
“However, where national rules apply across the county, so too do local advice and guidance in areas where we see significant numbers of cases.
“In Exeter, the high number of cases – over 80 per cent of which are linked to the University student population – appear to have stabilised for the moment.
“That’s a positive sign, but is by no means a green light to relax the local measures introduced by the University.
“We are meeting daily with the University, Public Health England, Exeter City Council, Exeter College and the Police, to closely monitor the numbers so that we can be quick to respond, and assess whether the current measures in place are sufficient to halt the spread, or whether more advanced restrictions are required.
“Elsewhere in the county, we are seeing a rise generally in the number of cases reflecting the national trend, but at the moment our case numbers remain below the national average.
“The most important thing that we must all do, despite yesterday’s announcement, is not let up. We must all continue to take individual and shared responsibility for our own actions and those around us.
“The now very familiar messages are absolutely essential in halting the spread of coronavirus.
- keep your distance – 2 metres is best
- wash your hands well, and regularly
- wear a face covering when indoors in public places, and in enclosed public spaces such as public transport
“If you develop symptoms – the high temperature, new and continuous cough, or change in your sense of smell or taste – you must self-isolate straight away. Do that, then arrange the test.
“If a person in your household tests positive, all members of the household must self-isolate for the full 14 days. Other members of the household do not need to be tested unless they develop symptoms.
“If you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace because you have been in close contact with a confirmed case, advising you to self-isolate for 14 days, do so for the full duration. Self-isolation properly is vital to reducing the risk of infection spreading. There must not be short cuts.
“These rules require us all to pay attention and to take individual and collective responsibility. The sooner we control the spread of the infection, the sooner we can expect restrictions to loosen.”
Find out what you can and cannot do if you live, work or travel in each local COVID alert level.
There is also an interactive map of the UK to show what rules apply where.
The BBC has also published a postcode checker to check what the rules are in your area.
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