Extra covid support to continue for Wigan and St Helens
Wigan and St Helens are among the areas that will continue to get extra support from the Government to curb the spread of Covid-19 in the area.
The Greater Manchester Combined Authority and Liverpool City Region have been implementing additional measures to try and slow the growth of infection rates.
The targeted local action which has been able to take place thanks to the support package provided will stay in place for another five weeks.
It means that local councils can deliver extra testing within targeted areas, the provision of logistical support to maximise vaccine and testing uptake, further help for local campaigns and the option to work with secondary schools and colleges to temporarily reintroduce on site testing and proportionate use of face coverings in areas where the covid infection rate is particularly high.
Residents were previously asked to keep 2 meters apart and minimise travel in and out of the area but that has been removed as we headed into step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown.
Local residents are being urged to remain cautious though, and follow the national guidance; including wearing a face covering in crowded areas, meet outside where possible, let fresh air into enclosed spaces and consider minimising the number of contacts you meet.
Health Minister Lord Bethell said:
“As we carefully tread the path on our roadmap and move closer to normal life, we have been guided by the data to pinpoint areas that have needed additional support to beat back the growth of COVID-19 cases.
“Working with local authorities and their directors of public health, we are managing the rising number of cases with more testing, more vaccinations and more local contact tracing.
“We will continue to support local areas and encourage people to protect themselves and loved ones by getting jabbed. Vaccines are building a wall of protection around us all and we must all enjoy our restored freedoms with caution.”
The test, trace and isolate system will remain a vital tool to reduce transmission. The legal requirement for contacts of confirmed cases to self-isolate will continue until 16 August for those who are double vaccinated.
After the 16 August, positive cases and all adults who have not received two vaccine doses will still be legally required to isolate. This is helping to slow the rise in cases that we’re expecting to see as we unlock, and in turn help to protect the NHS.