North Somerset health leaders are urging residents to remain cautious as the country plans to live with covid, following the Government's announcement and recent falls in local infection levels.
Yesterday the Government announced their 'living with covid plan' which will see changes to Covid guidance. In North Somerset, residents are being urged to keep following public health advice.
From Thursday (24 February) the legal requirement for people who test positive for Covid-19 to self-isolate, or are a close contact of a case, will be removed. However, people who test positive will continue to be advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for at least five days. The Government's Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme will end, as well as routine contact tracing.
From Friday 1 April free testing will end for most people although there will be some free testing for vulnerable groups.
Cllr Mike Bell, North Somerset Council's Deputy Leader and executive member for public health, said: "Locally, we've seen local Covid rates fall by more than a half since the peak of Omicron in January so it's good to see the coming relaxation of restrictions on our daily lives.
"However, the Government's scientific advisors are clear that the pandemic isn't over and we still need to manage the risk from Covid-19. It's really important that we all remain careful and keep doing the things we know help keep us safe.
"You can get the best possible protection from covid by getting vaccinated. Elderly and extremely vulnerable people will be offered another Covid-19 booster vaccine this spring to help those at the highest risk of serious illness maintain a high level of protection, so it is important to come forward again when you're eligible. If you've already been invited and haven't had the chance to get your first, second dose or booster Covid jabs, it's not too late. The teams will be happy to see you and get you protected.
"It's been an incredibly difficult couple of years for everyone. We'll continue to support infection prevention and control measures across our communities. The Government is encouraging people to take personal responsibility, but they too must step up and support local government to ensure that everyone has the chance to look after themselves and their loved ones."
Matt Lenny, Director of Public Health, added: "We'll continue to monitor Covid-19 infection rates closely as we adapt to living normally with the virus.
"The current advice hasn't changed and through February and March those with covid symptoms should still order a free PCR test and avoid contact with others. Although legal restrictions and national contact tracing are ending, our local Covid-19 Outbreak Team will continue to call residents with confirmed infection during this period to remind to them of Government advice to stay home and avoid contact with other people while they are infectious.
"You can still get free rapid lateral flow tests, before April, so please do use these before you meet up with anyone who's vulnerable to Covid. You can keep wearing a face covering if you're in crowded places and open up doors and windows to let fresh air into indoor spaces and help reduce the risk of Covid spreading. As ever, we also encourage everyone to wash their hands regularly to reduce the risk of catching Covid-19 and other infectious diseases.
"Some of our Covid services will be changing in light of the national announcement. Both local contact tracing and the North Somerset rapid testing vans will end at the end of March. However, our Public Health Covid Outbreak Team will continue to give advice to residents about Covid, and support local care homes, schools and other settings to follow the latest guidance and manage outbreaks. They will also take on new roles to encourage vaccine uptake, support Covid recovery and plan ahead if we need to re-instate further control measures quickly in response to new Covid variants."
Get more information about Covid vaccinations and how to get yours at www.grabajab.net or call 119.
Until April anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 can still book a free PCR test at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test or by calling 119.
Until they are withdrawn at the end of March, rapid tests, for people who do not have symptoms of Covid-19, can be ordered online for home delivery at www.gov.uk/order-coronavirus-rapid-lateral-flow-tests or collected from North Somerset Council's testing vans. Visit www.n-somerset.gov.uk/rapidtesting for details and the timetable.