School children advised to wear face masks as Cornwall named 'Enhanced Response Area'
The government has announced extra support for the Duchy and Devon, amid a surge in Covid-19 case rates
Last updated 31st Aug 2021
Secondary school children are being advised to wear face masks when they return to class, as Cornwall becomes an 'Enhanced Response Area' for coronavirus.
The government support package will last for the next five weeks, after the surge in case rates.
The Duchy recorded 3,849 cases in the week to Wednesday 25th of August, giving us a case rate of 668.8 per 100,000 people.
Although some areas are almost three times as high as that, at 1906.5 per 100,000 people in Newquay East.
Enhanced response measures include a greater capacity for testing and contact tracing, help to boost the vaccine uptake and more guidelines, such as recommending face masks for pupils in 'communal areas in educational settings'.
However, MPs have stressed that being designated an Enhanced Response Area does not mean a return to lockdown or enforced restrictions.
The latest data on coronavirus case rates for individual areas can be found on Public Health England's interactive map.
In a statement released on Friday (August 27th), Public Health England said 'Covid has not gone away' and urged people to act responsibly.
Professor Mike Wade, Deputy Regional Director and NHS Regional Director of Public Health for Public Health England South West said: “The announcement that parts of the South West are entering an Enhanced Response Area (ERA) is a reminder that Covid has not gone away.
“There are no additional restrictions on the areas receiving additional support or for residents or visitors, but with cases of Covid remaining high and the whole of the South West having the highest regional rates, everyone is asked to continue to act carefully and responsibly.
“We are working with partners and our Local Authority Directors of Public Health to deliver some additional support to these areas which we hope will amplify the excellent work that is already taking place and allow them more flexibility to introduce additional public health measures if considered necessary. For example, recommending use of face coverings in communal areas in educational settings.
“Our advice to residents and anyone visiting the South West remains the same, Covid has not gone on holiday. With the bank holiday weekend ahead of us, day trippers, holiday makers and residents need to protect themselves and others from Covid 19 and continue to exercise caution. We know that the more people mix, the more opportunities there are for the virus to spread.
“When visiting popular destinations, there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk. These include getting both doses of the vaccine as soon as you can, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces such as on public transport on your way, and if you are meeting up with friends, consider doing so outdoors to reduce the risk of the virus spreading. You should test yourself with free rapid tests twice a week, if you have symptoms you should isolate and get a PCR test as soon as you can.
“Please do not travel if you have symptoms – you must isolate and get a test as soon as possible. If you are a contact of a confirmed case and have had both doses of the vaccine, although you don’t need to isolate, you should still get a PCR test and limit socialising to keep your loved ones and the wider community safe".
The government's official website explains what Cornwall and Devon's 'Enhanced Response Areas' status means and details of the support being put in place.