Solihull Council has joined the call for businesses and residents to take urgent action to do the right thing to control Covid-19, and help schools return safely.
Councils across the West Midlands are working together to ensure everything possible is being done to keep on top of the growing threat of more serious outbreaks and a potential ‘second wave’ of the virus.
Nick Page, Chief Executive of Solihull Council, said: “Solihull’s infection rates remain low, but we know that many people have not had Covid-19. As we open up society and our schools and colleges start again after a very long break, we need a big push to keep our numbers down.
“It has been a hard year for everyone and people have had to give up freedoms that we’ve taken for granted. None of us want to see a return of the restrictions that had to be put in place earlier this year and risk further damage to our jobs and economy.
“We are at a tipping point now, so we’re calling on everyone to do the right thing for Solihull.
“We will be asking pubs, restaurants, gyms, sports clubs and other retailers to follow the example of the best in the borough, by making it easy for customers to follow social distancing, wear face coverings where required, and regularly wash/sanitise their hands.
“We’re also calling on organisations to comply with NHS Test and Trace so that we can respond to any outbreaks locally and stop these spreading as quickly as possible.
“We will be using new legal powers to take action against places that don’t stick by the rules. This is not something we want to do, but we’re hearing from the public that many places aren’t taking this as seriously as they need to.
“We are stepping up community engagement and communications to drive home three key messages: wash your hands regularly, keep a 2m distance and wear a face covering when you need to. These simple steps work.
“We’re also asking anyone who thinks they might have Covid-19 to get tested. It’s a simple test which thousands of people in the borough have already had done, by ordering a kit in the post or booking an appointment online. You should get a result within 24-48 hours and by getting tested and self-isolating if you’re positive, you’re doing your bit to protect friends, family and your community. If you’ve been in close contact with a case, you’ll be contacted and given advice about what you need to do so you can also play your part to stop the virus spreading.
“Since the dark days of April and May we have managed to restore some measure of ordinary life, so let’s do what we can to keep it this way.
“We will have to live with Covid-19 for now and it isn’t going away soon. I urge everyone to keep doing their bit to keep themselves, and everyone else, safe.”
