St Helens council face mask stance
End to most measures 'will bring joy to some'
St Helens residents are being encouraged to consider wearing face masks when they can’t socially distance to reduce the risks posed by coronavirus in certain situations.
The legal requirement to wear face masks in any setting, along with most other Covid-19 rules, was scrapped by the Government on July 19.
But Ruth du Plessis, director for public health at St Helens Borough Council, has issued a statement outlining the authority’s stance on masks.
She said: “We know how most people have been looking forward to the relaxing of restrictions and the benefits it brings for people’s wellbeing, supporting our economy and a recognition for the hard work people have put in to following guidance over the last 18 months and answering the call to get vaccinated when eligible.
“While the end to most measures will bring joy to some, for others this will also be an anxious time and it is important to remember that Covid-19 has not gone away, indeed we are seeing continuing rises in the number of cases.
“Vaccinations are working and removing much of the risk of serious illness and our hospital admissions are around 15 per cent of that we saw during the previous wave in January.
“Anyone over 18 is now eligible and if you haven’t booked in yet already there really is no time to waste with our figures rising.
“Everyone should also make sure they get their second dose eight weeks after the first as this helps to increase your resistance to serious illness from Covid-19.
“We know that opinions are mixed on whether people will want to continue with mask wearing but we would strongly encourage people to think about the risks and implications they may face in certain situations and what safe behaviours they could follow to help reduce that risk.
“That includes still wearing masks when you can’t socially distance, regular hand washing, socially distancing from others outside your household, making sure indoor spaces are well ventilated with fresh air, taking symptom free tests regularly, using the NHS track and Trace app, getting a PCR test if you have symptoms and following isolation guidance.
“We know our residents are thoughtful and will respect the individual decisions that we have to make as we take personal responsibility for our own safety. Please be considerate of your actions and how they impact on others.”