Due to high COVID-19 case rates, the government has prioritised Devon for additional support to reduce case rates.
Case rates in Devon are very high, which is to be expected since the removal of restrictions, the opening up of opportunities to socialise, and our popularity as a major visitor destination.
It doesn’t mean another local lockdown, but it does mean that authorities across the south west have more flexibility to introduce additional public health measures if considered necessary, to those in other parts of the country.
Public Health Devon has welcomed the county’s escalation to becoming an ‘enhanced response area’. Its Director of Public Health, Steve Brown, said:
The availability of testing in the county is good, and the vaccination take up across all of the priority groups has been very high.
However, the impact of coronavirus is being felt hard across the entire health and social care system, with those services struggling to cope with demand and workforce pressures.
We are working across boundaries with our neighbouring authorities, Public Health England and NHS Devon partners, to monitor data, respond to outbreaks, and provide public health guidance to our residents.
We will now continue to work with them and the government to see what else can be done to reduce Devon’s case rate.
In the meantime, we ask all Devon residents and visitors to the county to take extra caution.
Public Health Devon is urging people to:
- Limit your social contacts to stop the virus spreading
- meet others outside, because that’s safer than meeting inside
- continue to wear face coverings when indoors in public places
- wash your hands properly and regularly
- have the jab if you are an adult and haven’t yet had it. Please have both doses as soon as you can. If you’re aged 16 to 18, please take up the vaccination when offered to you
- self-isolate if told to do so by NHS Test and Trace
- self-isolate and arrange a PCR test if you show any symptoms of having the virus – the high temperature, new and continuous cough, or change of your usual sense of taste or smell
Guidance for visitors to Devon
Before you leave:
- If you show any symptoms of having coronavirus, self-isolate at home and arrange a PCR test. If that is positive, postpone your visit
- If you show no symptoms of having coronavirus, use a lateral flow test before you leave to determine whether you are likely to be carrying the virus. If that is positive, self-isolate and arrange a PCR test. Do not travel if your PCR test is positive
- Follow the latest rules regarding self-isolating, and don’t travel to Devon if you are required to be self-isolating – we’d love to see you, just later.
- If you are eligible for a vaccination and haven’t yet had one, please take it up when offered. There are a number of walk-in vaccination centres around the country if you don’t already have an appointment.
There are steps we can all take to reduce the risk of spreading coronavirus, so while you’re visiting:
- Follow the public health guidance, including keeping a distance from others where possible; wearing a face covering when indoors in crowded public places; and washing your hands regularly and using hand sanitiser
- Limit your social contacts to stop the virus spreading, and if you are meeting others, try to do so outside because it’s safer than meeting inside
- If you develop symptoms while you’re away, self-isolate and arrange a PCR test, and remain self-isolating until you get the result. If that’s positive, it is important to travel safely to a place where you can self-isolate
- If you’re here for a while and you show no symptoms of having coronavirus, routinely use a lateral flow tests to determine whether you are likely to be carrying the virus. There are many places to access tests, and you can take the tests with you on your visit
When you get home:
- If you develop symptoms on your return, self-isolate and arrange a PCR test. If that’s positive, remain self-isolating for the full duration.