Following the Department of Health and Social Care announcing additional support for Cornwall, Devon, Isles of Scilly, Plymouth and Torbay local authority areas due to the high COVID infection rate in the South West, Pubic Health England has issued an official statement.

Professor Mike Wade, Deputy Regional Director and NHS Regional Director of Public Health for Public Health England South West, said: “The announcement that parts of the South West are entering an Enhanced Response Area (ERA) is a reminder that COVID has not gone away.

“There are no additional restrictions on the areas receiving additional support or for residents or visitors, but with cases of COVID remaining high and the whole of the South West having the highest regional rates, everyone is asked to continue to act carefully and responsibly.

“We are working with partners and our Local Authority Directors of Public Health to deliver some additional support to these areas which we hope will amplify the excellent work that is already taking place and allow them more flexibility to introduce additional public health measures if considered necessary. For example, recommending use of face coverings in communal areas in educational settings.

“Our advice to residents and anyone visiting the South West remains the same, COVID has not gone on holiday. With the bank holiday... day trippers, holidaymakers and residents need to protect themselves and others from COVID-19 and continue to exercise caution. We know that the more people mix, the more opportunities there are for the virus to spread.

“When visiting popular destinations, there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk. These include getting both doses of the vaccine as soon as you can, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces such as on public transport on your way, and if you are meeting up with friends, consider doing so outdoors to reduce the risk of the virus spreading. You should test yourself with free rapid tests twice a week, if you have symptoms you should isolate and get a PCR test as soon as you can.

“Please do not travel if you have symptoms – you must isolate and get a test as soon as possible. If you are a contact of a confirmed case and have had both doses of the vaccine, although you don’t need to isolate, you should still get a PCR test and limit socialising to keep your loved ones and the wider community safe."

For more about the new measures coming into force for five weeks see https://www.gov.uk/government/news/extra-covid-19-support-deployed-to-parts-of-the-south-west