Scotland
Carlisle
England
1 October 2020 - COVID-19 alert for Cumbria
Following a doubling of the new COVID-19 cases within Cumbria over the last week, new public health advice for the county has now been introduced.
By law in England people must not meet indoors or outdoors in groups of more than six people. In addition, from 1 October 2020 people living in Cumbria are being strongly advised that groups of six should include people from no more than TWO households.
The new advice was agreed by local political leaders through the county's Area Outbreak Board, following recommendations from the multi-agency Health Protection Board. It will be reviewed on an weekly basis by the Health Protection Board.
The new advice is not law and the exemptions that apply to the national 'Rule of Six' still apply; exceptions such as:
- for work
- the provision of voluntary or charitable services
- registered childcare,
- education or training
- exercise classes
- organised outdoor sport or licensed outdoor physical activity, and supervised sporting activity (indoors or outdoors) for under-18s.
Why is social distancing necessary?
Social distancing is important because coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs small droplets - packed with the virus - into the air.
These can be breathed in, or can cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on, and then touch your face with unwashed hands.
