Norfolk County Council backs Government message
Help to limit the spread of coronavirus
A new prevention campaign has been launched by Norfolk County Council to promote the Government’s message around the three key actions of Hands, Face, Space. The campaign will run on social media and in the regional and local press across the county.
With the cold and flu season now upon us, the campaign helps to explain that colds and flu viruses are spread in exactly the same way as the coronavirus. So, the advice is to continue practising the three key activities; regular hand washing with soap and water, wearing a face covering in enclosed public spaces and keeping a safe distance from people not in your household.
Dr Louise Smith, Norfolk’s Director of Public Health said:
"As winter approaches, we’ll be spending more time indoors where there is less ventilation, and this will increase the risk of coronavirus spreading. Because cold and flu viruses are spread in the same way. If we are doing the right things to guard against coronavirus, then these simple steps will also help to prevent the spread of other common viruses."
Andrew Proctor, Leader of Norfolk County Council and Chair of the Norfolk Covid-19 Engagement Board, said:
"We all have a part to play in keeping ourselves and our communities safe and Norfolk has responded so well so far. Our county has experienced relatively low levels of coronavirus, so let’s keep it this way and not be complacent. If we keep practising these measures it will help us get back to a more normal way of life sooner."
These are the reasons behind the most effective ways we can slow the spread of the virus.
Wash your hands
Coronavirus can live for more than 24 hours indoors so you could pick up the virus by touching a contaminated object or surface. Simple and effective ways to stop this kind of spread are to regularly wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser throughout the day to reduce the risk of catching or passing it on.
Cover your face
The virus can be found in tiny droplets coming out of your nose and mouth. Wearing a face covering over your nose and mouth reduces the spread of the droplets carrying the virus. This means, if you’re carrying the virus, you’re less likely to spread it to others.
Make space
Spreading the virus through droplets is most likely to happen when you are less than two metres apart. Smaller droplets called aerosols can stay in the air for some time, especially if there is no ventilation. So, when you are with people not from your household you should always try to keep at least two metres apart. The campaign will coincide with a social media campaign targeting 11-25 year-olds in Norfolk with a fast paced comic-style animation, encouraging young people to wash their hands regularly and to keep a safe distance from each other to help stop the spread of the virus.
As with previous coronavirus-based campaigns, the County Council’s Public Health team will be sharing these messages with local authorities, businesses and schools to ensure the three key elements of the prevent campaign are communicated effectively.
If you have any of the main coronavirus symptoms - a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell - get a free test by calling 119 or visit nhs.uk