As the Bank Holiday weekend gets underway, Islanders are being asked to continue to show the caution that has kept coronavirus at bay this spring.
As restrictions are eased and we start to enjoy more freedoms, Dr Simon Giles, a GP at The Bay Medical Practice in Shanklin and Sandown, is reminding everyone of the importance of staying COVID safe.
Talking in a new video produced by the Isle of Wight Council, Dr Giles said he had seen first-hand how dangerous COVID-19 can be, especially for more vulnerable Islanders. He said:
“We all know how difficult the last year has been in so many ways, for so many people.
“We can all really make a difference as we move out of lockdown if we use all the tools available to us to stop the transmission of the virus.”
Hands, face, space
• Wear a face covering when required or when social distancing is difficult.
• Keep washing hands regularly, for 20 seconds or more, using soap. Use hand sanitiser whenever you’re not at home.
• Whether it’s people you don’t know at the supermarket, or friends not in your household at the pub, social distancing is still very important and will help break the chain of transmission.
Meeting people outside
Even if you are meeting people inside, stay socially distanced and continue to wash your hands frequently.
If you’re going out to meet friends, everyone in your group must leave their details for NHS Test and Trace. The easiest way to do this is to login in with the QR code scanner on the NHS COVID-19 app.
Meeting people inside
When meeting people in your own home, stick to the rules. Keep a safe distance apart and open the window and door. Fresh air really does help minimise the spread of the virus.
If you can, meet in the garden – always choose this over meeting indoors.
Self isolation
Self-isolation means that you can’t leave your house or garden unless you are going to get a COVID test at Newclose County Cricket Ground.
Dr Giles says:
“Some of my patients have told me they are very worried about self-isolation — because of work or money worries, or because they don’t know how they will get food or walk their dog,” said Dr Giles.
“Self-isolation can be difficult to cope with, but please know that whatever your worry, support is available.
“Call the Isle of Wight Coronavirus Helpline on (01983) 823600 or go to keeptheislandsafe.org/self-isolation.”
Simon Bryant, the council’s director of public health, adds:
“We are still consolidating our position in respect to COVID. Every single act of care and caution keeps the virus on the back foot and every time someone does those simple basic things they are playing their part in countering COVID. Please keep it up — it is working.”
Don’t tell the ISLANDERS, tell all the VISITORS, to respect any shops distancing rules, etc. Remember the instant overnight change from tier 1 to 4 because of people popping over from the mainland for a night out.
Think its a bit more than a night out now. The coaches have arrived. I have been told these are usually from ooop
north. Hope they have all been jabbed and tested because the Indian variant is rife up there.
Haha, it sometimes seems as though most of “ooop north” are living down here anyway and regard themselves as “Islanders”.
SANDOWN PIER EVERYONE SEEMS TO BE MASKLESS
MANY ARE HOLIDAYMAKERS
You don’t wear masks outside you pleb.
I know what an utter clown. Probably one of these terrified sheep that believe all the hype too
Yep, good luck with that,
I think the Islanders need to take more care as well as mainlanders, judging from the lack of distancing in supermarkets and cafe’s.
Here we go again. People think because they’ve had the vaccine they don’t have to respect other people’s personal space. …Then you have the ignorant ones who HAVEN’T had the jab and don’t give a fig about personal space!!! After all, we’ve only been doing this for 17 months, must be very hard for some to remember.
If you have not had the vaccine you must be careful.if you have stay safe but you have the added protection.if you could have had one but didn’t then if you get CV that’s your look out no sympathy.
What,when, where,why,whom,????
New council: same old patronising twaddle! Really glad I bothered voting the other week. Maybe they’d like to tell us not to mess about with sharp objects, or be careful when sticking our fingers in plug sockets.
Or don’t play with matches?
Playing with matches is the occupation of the last council’s developer friends. Let’s hope things are different now. Who am I kidding?!
That’s rich coming from Dr Giles of the Bay medical practice. “get your jab when invited” he says. Strange thing to say as when you phone the Bay after your invite to get your covid inoculation. “they say not doing jabs here”
Bizarre..
Why are visitors and those that travel to work not made to do lateral flow tests ????? I had to travel the other day idid a l f test before I travelled and 1 a few days later ….
We have to all take responsibility to stop the spread of covid…
The vaccine is v good but alas some are more vulnerable than others so please be careful and responsible, then we can all be more Normal ……m
We all want to hug our family and friends but let’s do it safely …
Get your jabs band be safe …. safer….
..
I don’t talk to my family and I ain’t got no friends, can I hug you?