Bristol, South Gloucestershire and North Somerset will host a COVID-19 webinar in the lead up to the potential move to step four of the government’s roadmap to ease restrictions.
The webinar, ‘COVID-19: What Now?’, will give residents across the three local authorities an opportunity to ask Directors of Public Health questions about the current public health guidance and the long-term behaviours that will help to stem the spread of infection.
Live streamed on YouTube, the webinar will be attended by Director for Communities and Public Health for Bristol Christina Gray, Director for Public Health for North Somerset Matt Lenny and Director of Public Health for South Gloucestershire Sara Blackmore.
Director for Communities and Public Health for Bristol Christina Gray said: “The pandemic has fundamentally changed the way we live and see the world. From the way our businesses and schools operate to altering our social behaviour. As we continue to ease COVID-19 restrictions across the country, we all want to look ahead to what life may be like as we reach some semblance of “normal”.
“However, we know that COVID-19 isn’t going away overnight, but what we do know is that we have the knowledge and tools to help protect us. Tools like the vaccination programme which offers vital protection and reduces the risk of severe illness; regular lateral flow (rapid) testing which helps us to pick up cases where people have no symptoms and encourage effective isolation.
“We encourage all of you to join us for what we hope will be a great discussion.”
Director for Public Health for North Somerset Matt Lenny said: “Even as restrictions ease, we know COVID-19 will remain an issue. No one tool can beat the disease alone, so it’s really important we use the entire arsenal to reduce our own risk and protect our friends and family.
“But we know it can be difficult to understand what those tools are and how best you can use them. We hope this webinar will answer any questions you have about how you can and why you should keep your risk low in the coming months.”
Director of Public Health for South Gloucestershire, Sara Blackmore, said: “The pandemic has had a huge impact on all of us and the way people have responded, by following the guidance that has helped to keep ourselves, our loved ones and our communities as safe as possible, has been incredible.
“Of course we all want to see restrictions eased further, but whatever rules are in place for all of our protection, there are still plenty of simple things we can all do to help reduce the spread of COVID-19, which is still very much with us.
“As guidance changes and our understanding of the virus grows, it can be confusing to know what is and isn’t allowed and what we can all do in our own lives to get back to seeing the people we love and the things we enjoy safely. I hope that this session provides an opportunity for people to ask questions and to learn about how we can live safely with COVID-19 in the coming weeks and months.”
Live streamed on YouTube, the webinar will take place between 6:00pm-7:00pm, Tuesday 15 June using this link: https://youtu.be/Idx6eKySStg
Residents can ask questions during the webinar on Slido.com using the hashtag #CovidWhatNow and can submit questions in advance using the using the hashtag #CovidWhatNow on social media.
