Mayor of Liverpool Joe Anderson and Director of Public Health Matt Ashton wrote to all households in Liverpool about how the city is facing the challenge of Coronavirus.
Dear resident,
Coronavirus – Keep being kind, safe and responsible
We are writing to all Liverpool residents to ask for your support as we continue our efforts to control the spread of Coronavirus.
It has been a worrying and confusing time for us all. Although some of the restrictions have been eased in the last few weeks, we still need to be careful in our day-to-day lives.
This is not only about keeping you well, it is also about safeguarding the future of Liverpool, making sure that businesses are secure and that jobs are safe. Being cautious in the short-term means that we will be stronger in the long-term by avoiding another lockdown.
As you will probably know, there was an increase in confirmed Covid-19 cases in Princes Park ward and other parts of south Liverpool at the end of July. By taking a highly proactive, community-focused approach we are confident that we have contained this outbreak, which not only protected other people in that area but also the wider city.
We will respond to any future local outbreaks in a similar way.
Although we believe our approach has been successful, this outbreak shows that we must continue to be careful and do everything we can to prevent a further increase in cases.
To limit the spread in the city as a whole we must all continue to:
- Keep a two-metre distance from people other than those you live with, wherever possible
- Wash your hands with soap and water as often as you can, or use hand gel
- Wear a face covering, if you are able, over your nose and down to and over your chin. These must be worn on public transport, in transport hubs, in shops, in indoor shopping centres and in banks and post offices. From 8 August these must also be worn in other venues such as cinemas, museums, bingo halls, libraries and hair salons.
As ever, if you think you have symptoms please arrange to have a test as soon as possible. For the current test centres in Liverpool and whether you need to book an appointment please visit www.liverpool.gov.uk/covidcontrol
If you need to self-isolate because of a positive test result or for another reason, for example you have been contacted by the test-and-trace service, this means you should not leave your home at all for 14 days.
We know that for many people, particularly for those who live alone, self-isolating is difficult. This is why the council has set up the Covid Isolation Advice Line if you need support. Call advisers can offer health and welfare advice, including foodbank support. Please call 0151 233 3066, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Strong decisive action by Liverpool City Council and its partners prevented the situation in Princes Park from worsening and we avoided the need for any national lockdown or additional measures. Thank you to everybody who helped make these actions a success. We will continue to monitor the data and won’t hesitate to do the same again.
For the most up-to-date Liverpool advice please regularly visit the council’s news site – www.liverpoolexpress.co.uk – and also follow Liverpool City Council on Twitter – www.twitter.com/lpoolcouncil
Please do everything you can to keep your family, friends, colleagues and the wider community safe. We can get through this, but we are not there yet.
Remember: keep being kind, safe and responsible.
Joe Anderson – Mayor of Liverpool
Matt Ashton – Liverpool Director of Public Health
