Helping to stop the spread of coronavirus is the best gift to give this Christmas
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PM Boris Johnson had announced plans to allow up to three households to create a ‘bubble’ and mix indoors across five days from December 23.
But at the weekend this was slashed to just Christmas Day – along with the creation of a tier 4 – amid cases continuing to rise and the discovery of a virulent new strain in the south.
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Jonathan Gribbin, director of public health for Nottinghamshire, said: “The news that bubbles can only meet on Christmas Day will be a huge disappointment to anyone who had been looking forward to meeting up with loved ones in the days around Christmas.
“Sadly, the new restrictions also mean that you should stay local even if you do form a bubble for Christmas Day. That means avoiding any unnecessary travel outside of Nottinghamshire.
“It is a concern to hear that the new variant of Covid-19 is passed on more easily. But it is important to remember that we already know exactly how to stop its spread.
“It still comes down to frequent hand washing, use of face coverings in enclosed spaces, and complying with social distancing measures such as maintaining a two-metre distance from others.
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“What is important now is that we follow these rules with even greater attention and rigour than before. That is what is needed because when we do it, that is what breaks the chain of transmission.”
He added: “Unfortunately, it means that many of us now need to come to terms with the prospect of a different Christmas to the one we had planned.
“The best tools for achieving this are in our hands already. We must avoid mixing with other people indoors, maintain focus on the hands, face and space principles, and get a test - and isolate immediately – if we develop any Covid-19 symptoms. It really is that simple.”
Mr Gribbin concluded: “The best gift we can give one another is to play our part to stop the spread.”
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