Face covering now required in public spaces and booster jab programme expanded
After the announcement on Saturday (27th November) by the Prime Minister that cases of the new Omicron COVID-19 variant had been found in the UK, new measure have been put in place. from today.
Face coverings
Public and staff are now required to wear face coverings in a range of public areas including:
- shops, supermarkets & pharmacies;
- shopping centres;
- post offices, banks & building societies
- premises providing personal care and beauty treatments such as barbers, hair salons, tattoo and piercing studios, nail salons, massage centres;
- takeaways without space for consumption of food or drink on premises;
- public transport;
- any car, van or HGV, during a professional driving lesson, a formal driving test, or during one of the practical tests for giving driving instruction
This does not apply to people who are unable to wear a face covering, which includes children under the age of 11 and people who cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability.
You can find out more on Face coverings, when to wear one and exemptions on the Government website.
The reasons why some people are less able to wear face coverings. may not always be visible, so we wold ask people to be considerate.
Best non-clinical protection
Sefton Council has been advising all along that people wear face masks in busy and indoor public spaces, because they have been found to provide the best non-clinical protection for ourselves and others.
Global study shows mask-wearing reduces incidence of COVID by 53%.
Booster vaccinations
The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has announced it will be rolling out the COVID-19 booster vaccination programme to all adults over the age of 18, as well as reducing the gap between the second dose and a booster.
The Committee has also recommended children aged 12 to 15 should be invited for a second dose three months after their first.
Use this link to book you vaccinations.
Confident
Yesterday Sefton Council Leader, Cllr Ian Maher said he is confident people across the Borough will continue to do all they can to protect themselves and others from COVID-19.
He said: “Wearing face masks in busy and indoor public spaces, is what we have been advising, particularly as a recent global study found masks provide the best non-clinical protection for ourselves and others.
“It’s a minimum effort or inconvenience that can do so much to prevent us, our friends and loved ones and others from COVID-19 as well as other seasonal viruses such as flu.”
Cllr Maher also urged everyone eligible for a vaccination, whether their first, second or a booster to book their appointment now by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus-vaccination.