Brighton & Hove publishes plan to prevent Covid-19 outbreaks

Following the publication of the city’s Covid-19 Local Outbreak Plan, Councillor Clare Moonan, Chair of the Health & Wellbeing Board at Brighton & Hove City Council says the city is well prepared to deal with a second wave or outbreak of Covid-19, but calls on everyone to take all necessary precautions.

“Covid-19 has changed every aspect our lives, not just in Brighton & Hove but around the world. 

“Until a vaccine is found, we must all learn to live alongside Covid. We must take all necessary actions to keep the city Covid secure and we must also be ready to respond quickly if further outbreaks do happen. Covid-19 is still prevalent and it is still a dangerous highly infectious disease which can kill people.   

“Everyone in the city has played their part in helping to keep the numbers of cases of Covid-19 relatively low.  Thank you all for keeping 2 metres apart, wearing face masks, washing hands and looking out for your neighbours. 

“It’s been very hard for people not to see family and friends but those efforts have all helped protect our city.

“Sadly the risk of further outbreaks is still incredibly real, as we’re currently seeing in other places in the UK and in other countries. It’s crucial that we all do whatever’s needed to protect our most vulnerable people and communities. 

Our Local Outbreak Plan - what we can all do to prevent a Covid outbreak

“To do this Brighton & Hove City Council has today published its Local Outbreak Plan which sets out how - by working together with everyone in the city, our colleagues in other local authorities, in the health service and with central government - we will prevent and contain the transmission spread of Covid-19 in the event of an outbreak in Brighton & Hove.

“I’m determined to ensure that all residents and everyone who works and visits the city will have confidence in our plans and will know where to go to find information they can trust and understand. Our communications in the event of an outbreak will be tailored for those who are affected, and our advice and guidance will be clear and timely.

“A member-led Local Outbreak Engagement Board will provide senior level political oversight of the outbreak response and will lead on community engagement and communications with the city and affected people.

“Given the rapidly changing situation the Local Outbreak Plan will be a live document. There will be a formal review every three months, as well as frequent revisions as new guidance and resources are issued, and in response to changing national and local circumstances. 

“We will publicise when the plan is updated on our Facebook and Twitter accounts and we’ll be asking local newspapers, radio stations and TV channels to help with this too. We’ll also be working directly and closely with people in all communities to raise awareness of the plan. 

“Coronavirus has been the single most life changing event our city has had to face in peace time. 

“Our communities, friends and families have all been affected in some way and for those who have lost loved ones, sadness will forever be its legacy.  All Covid-19 deaths are tragic, and my thoughts are with all of those affected.

“We must aspire to preventing further outbreaks and quickly working to contain them if they do occur.

“Please read this plan. We will be producing summaries and easy read versions of it in the coming weeks.

“We must learn to live alongside Covid-19 and we must all take personal responsibility for reducing the spread of Covid-19. I urge everyone to take the following actions set out below.

“Thank you to everyone who has worked so hard to produce this excellent plan in such short space of time.”

 

Stay alert

We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert.

• Keep your distance from people outside of your household

  • the risk of infection increases the closer you are to another person with the virus, and the more time you spend in close contact with them. Try and keep 2m distance away from people outside of your household. Always keep 1m away.

  • be mindful of people with mobility issues, learning disabilities or visual or hearing impairments. Some people will find it harder to manage physical distancing and many disabilities are hidden.

• Keep your hands and face as clean as possible

  • wash your hands often using soap and water and dry them thoroughly. Avoid touching your face.

• Use hand sanitiser when outside your home

  • especially as you enter a building and after you have had contact with surfaces. Take sanitiser out with you to have readily to hand.

• Avoid crowded spaces

  • you can lower the risk of transmission by reducing the number of people you come into close contact with. Small groups in small spaces pose a risk as well as large, close crowds.

• Wear face masks or face coverings

  • always on public transport or when attending a hospital as a visitor or outpatient and in enclosed public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet. Some public transport passengers don’t have to wear a fask mask or covering, they are:
    • children under 11
    • people with disabilities
    • those with breathing difficulties
    • anyone travelling with someone who relies on lip reading

Do not leave home if you or someone you live with has any of the following:

• a high temperature

• a new, continuous cough

• a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste

Check the NHS website if you have symptoms