Fears Covid cases in the South West could triple after all restrictions are lifted
Public Health England says we could soon have 10-thousand people testing positive for coronavirus every day across the region
Health officials are warning that daily coronavirus cases across the South West could triple when restrictions are lifted.
Public Health England says we could soon see 10,000 people testing positive for Covid-19 every day across the region.
It comes as local authorities across the South West are urging people to keep wearing face masks after so called 'Freedom Day'.
All remaining Covid restrictions across England will be lifted on Monday (July 19).
The day has been labelled by many as Freedom Day, but many officials are scrambling to remind people the pandemic is not over.
West of England Mayor Dan Norris, who's role covers Bristol, Bath, North East Somerset and South Gloucestershire, has written to the Prime Minister arguing face masks should remain compulsory in certain situations.
"I’m calling for face coverings to stay for the time being on public transport in the West of England," he said in a tweet.
"We’ve all got masks now and they reduce the chance of infecting others and give passengers more confidence to travel.
"So let’s keep wearing them on buses and trains."
Speaking to us during a press conference involving many of England's other mayors, he added that covering your face is "vital" and that it's "nonsensical and crazy" that people aren't sure about it.
Devon County Council has taken a less stern stance but still say they recommend face masks on public transport.
Gloucestershire County Council has said the same, as has Wiltshire Council to name just a few.
Meanwhile Bristol's Mayor Marvin Rees has criticised the government's approach to Freedom Day, amid what he's called a "sharp and persistent" rise in coronavirus rates in the city.
“I will just share a little bit of my frustration with the approach of national government," he said during a meeting of the city council's cabinet.
"I think some of the imagery around Freedom Day could have been a little bit more sober and a little bit more measured.
“We do want the ability to interact with people, we do want to support businesses to open up, and we want to support jobs, but I think this kind of July fourth branding that’s gone on has not been helpful for the kind of caution that we need people to be engaging with.”
Across the South West as a whole, between 2,000 and 3,000 cases of the virus are being recorded every day, but in a recent press conference with officials from Public Health England, we were warned that could rise to 10,000 after restrictions ease.
"I think our Secretary of State for Health suggested that in England we could see 100,000 (daily) cases in a couple of week's time," Mike Wade, PHE's Deputy Regional Director said.
"So that's almost a tripling of what we're seeing today.
"We're going to estimate an increase in this rate going up.
"How high it gets before it plateau's is going to be subject to a lot of different factors, but would we be surprised to see up to 10,000 (daily cases) in the South West?
"I think that is possibly a sensible estimate."
It was suggested we could reach that peak around mid August.
Here's all you need to know about Freedom Day
What are the changes happening on 'Freedom day'?
From the 19th July in England, wearing facemasks is no longer compulsory. You'll no longer be legally required to wear one when you're out and about.
What are the changes happening on 'Freedom day'?
From the 19th there will be no legal limits on the size of groups that can gather, meaning no rule of six or bubbles to consider.
What are the changes happening on 'Freedom day'?
All social distancing rules are scrapped from the 19th July
What are the changes happening on 'Freedom day'?
From 'freedom day' workers are no longer being asked to work from home if possible, the government have said that people can go back into the workplace, even if they can do their job from home
What things are going back to normal?
Nightclubs and events like concerts, gigs and theatres will be able to re-open as normal from the 19th, although the government are encouraging venues like nightclubs to use Covid status certification, often called vaccine passports.
What things are going back to normal?
With no limit on the numbers that can gather and social distancing rules removed, Wedding sand funerals and other large occasions are back to normal.
What things are going back to normal?
Pubs and restaurants can go back to having people order at the bar and not have to have screens between tables, although it's thought many will keep some of the precautions in place.
Where do I need to wear a facemask?
Despite it no longer being a legal requirement, the government have made it clear that they recommend and expect facemasks to be worn in crowded areas and on public transport. London Mayor Sadiq Khan has made facemasks compulsory on public transport in London, with travel operators around the country making their own decisions on rules.
What do you still have to do after 'Freedom Day'?
If you're pinged by the NHS test and trace app because you've been in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus you do still have to isolate. The government announced this will be ending for those who have had both doses of the vaccine and those under 18, but that doesn't come into force until the 16th August
What do you still have to do after 'Freedom Day'?
Countries you can travel to and from and whether you need to quarantine are still regulated by the green, amber and red lists. Although from the 19th July people who have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine will be able to return quarantine-free to England from amber list countries