‘A SMALLER Christmas will be a safer Christmas’ – so says Warwickshire’s police chief.
Warwickshire Police and Crime Commissioner Philip Seccombe urged residents to follow the latest public health advice, after restrictions on Christmas gatherings were tightened in response to a new and more transmissible varient of coronavirus.
Mr Seccombe said: “This is obviously very disappointing news and means that many families will have to change their plans. This decision reflects the significant concern among health officials about rising rates of cases and a new varient of Covid-19.
“Throughout the coronavirus pandemic, people in Warwickshire have largely heeded the advice that has come from public health officials and if we are to see the end of restrictions on our daily lives, this co-operation must continue. While I know it is natural for people to want to come together at this time of year, now is not the time to relax our attitude to combating the disease.
“It’s important to remember that coronavirus rates in Warwickshire continue to rise, which means we must remain on very high alert. I would urge everyone to consider carefully their plans for Christmas and the coming days, take account of the changing guidance and not to make the situation worse. A smaller Christmas will be a safer Christmas.
“This is a public health crisis first and foremost and the police want to work with the public in order to keep the whole community safe.
“This is always a busy period for our emergency services and others on the front line of keeping us safe over the winter months. We need to do all we can now to show our support and help them out as they work hard to keep us all safe.
“We can and will get through this difficult period if we all work together to reduce the rates of transmission, with the prospect of a better year to come in 2021.”
The infection rate across the whole of Warwickshire as of today (Tuesday December 22) is 205 cases per 100,000 people.
But in Rugby it has reached a record high of just over 300.
In Warwick District the rate is 221, while in Stratford it is 137.
Visit https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus for more information about the rules for Christmas.
