Sandwell Council has today issued urgent advice for Sandwell residents in an attempt to avoid a local lockdown.
The council’s emergency committee met on Friday 31 July to discuss the rise in Covid-19 cases in Sandwell, which has seen 85 people test positive over the past seven days.
The committee has issued three key pieces of advice to people in Sandwell as part of ongoing efforts to slow the spread of the virus and avoid a local lockdown:
- Sandwell residents who are currently shielding are being strongly advised to continue shielding for their own safety.
- All residents are being strongly advised NOT to go inside the homes of other people.
- Anyone who has symptoms must self-isolate and book a test
All Sandwell residents are asked to follow this advice and play their part in reducing the number of Covid-19 cases.
Sandwell Council’s Deputy Leader Councillor Maria Crompton said: “The coronavirus situation in Sandwell is serious.
“To avoid a local lockdown we’re strongly advising those who are shielding in Sandwell to continue to do so after the national shielding period ends on Friday 31 July while there is an increase in cases locally.”
Councillor Crompton re-iterated that the advice was a strong recommendation from the council and public health professionals for everyone in Sandwell who is shielding.
“We know that people who are shielding are vulnerable to Covid-19 and they are more likely to become very ill or to die if they are infected.
“We know people are looking forward to going out again but we’re really strongly advising people who are shielding to stay put for now and go out as little as possible. This applies to everyone in Sandwell who is shielding.
“We’re also asking people across Sandwell not to socialise with others inside each other’s homes.
“We know that Covid-19 spreads more easily indoors. So, we really strongly recommend that people do not go inside other people’s houses while the infection rate is increasing.
“We also need people to continue washing their hands regularly, wearing face coverings in shops and on public transport, to social distance from other people and – most importantly – to get a test and self-isolate if you have symptoms.
“We really need people to follow this important advice.
“We are seeing a significant increase in coronavirus cases and by working together we can do our best to avoid lockdown in Sandwell.”
Further announcements will be made by the council as the situation develops.
Further details are available on the avoid a local lockdown webpage.
Anyone in need of urgent help or assistance due to continuing to shield should contact the council – go to our emergency help pages or call 0121 569 2266.
