With record numbers being treated for COVID-19 at Bedford Hospital, residents are asked to play their part this New Year’s Eve by staying home and enjoying a safe and small New Year.
Following central government’s decision to place Bedford Borough into Tier 4 before Christmas, with cases in the Borough rising and now over 600 cases per 100,000, the highest recorded, and over 100 people in Bedford Hospital being treated for COVID-19 it is more important than ever that residents do whatever they can to help stop the spread of the virus.
Tier 4 restrictions mean that residents in the Borough must stay at home, apart from limited exceptions.
Within Tier 4 people cannot meet indoors with people from other households, including for New Year, unless they are part of a support bubble. Outdoors, people can only meet one person from another household in a public space.
By reducing contact with others, keeping rooms well ventilated, wearing a face covering where required, keeping a safe social distance and washing your hands regularly, you will help to reduce the spread.
Mayor Dave Hodgson said: “2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, but cases of COVID-19 are continuing to rise in the Borough and remain a serious cause for concern.
“We must do all we can to protect our friends and family, protect our communities and protect our NHS from being overwhelmed.
“I urge everyone in Bedford Borough to keep to the rules and to have a safe and small New Year as we look forward to a better 2021”
Anyone with symptoms must immediately self-isolate and should only leave the house to access a test.
Anyone who tests positive needs to self-isolate for 10 days from date their symptoms started, and their household must isolate too.
Regional and local test sites will operate on slightly reduced hours on some public holidays as well as on New Year’s Eve but will be open as normal on other days.
To book a site test or a home test go to www.gov.uk/coronavirus or if you don’t have internet access contact the telephone call centre on 119 between 7am and 11pm.
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