While life feels different today to how it did just a month ago with much of the borough now open for business, it’s crucial we all remember the important role we each have to play in protecting the community.
By following government guidance on hygiene, social distancing and wearing face coverings when needed, we can all help control the virus and reduce the risk of localised outbreaks occurring.
If you, or someone in your household, develops coronavirus symptoms, it is vital you self-isolate immediately and get tested. It’s also crucial you follow the instructions of NHS Test and Trace if contacted. Testing is always free via the NHS.
Part of the council’s work to support Test and Trace involves keeping residents updated on the latest guidance and testing routes, and ensuring they have access to testing when they need it.
Many council teams have been working to support and extend the reach of the national testing programme by regularly providing a location for a mobile testing unit in Bracknell.
I’d urge you all to keep an eye on the council’s social media for future testing dates and take note as they’re announced. If you have symptoms or NHS Test and Trace advise you to, book a test. You can do this via the NHS website, which will show all sites available for testing.
If your test is positive, you must continue to self-isolate. The NHS Test and Trace service will contact you with instructions of how to share details of people you have had close contact with and places you have visited. Those contacts considered to be at risk will also be asked to isolate, and it’s crucial they do this.
Teams across the council have also been working with the community to share latest guidance and information on testing routes, as well as supporting testing in individual settings, such as in care homes.
If we are alerted to a potential outbreak, which can be just one or two positive cases in one place, the council’s outbreak control plan will be triggered to ensure residents are kept as safe as possible.
Of course, we hope this plan is rarely used and you can all help to ensure that’s the case by continuing to follow the most up-to-date guidance. Until next week, take care and stay safe.
Cllr Paul Bettison
