Councillor Paul Bettison, leader of Bracknell Forest Council
With lockdown restrictions easing and the ‘stay at home’ rule having ended on Monday, I hope that we are all able to feel slightly closer to normal life.
Part of the easing of restrictions includes outdoor gatherings (including in private gardens) of either six people or two households being allowed, which I hope will make it easier for friends and families to meet outside.
Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, and open-air swimming pools, are now open. Please continue to work from home if you can and try to minimise the number of journeys you make where possible and avoid travelling at busy times. Full details on the roadmap can be found on GOV.UK.
The Government has advised that shielding is to be paused nationally from 31 March. This means that, as of 1 April, those who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) no longer need to shield but do need to continue to follow the rules in place for everyone under national restrictions to stay safe, even if you have received both doses of your vaccine.
Coming out of shielding after months spent indoors may be very daunting for many, but help is available from a number of organisations. Bracknell Forest residents who have been shielding will receive our ‘Support After Shielding’ booklet, which includes information about where to go for mental and physical support while they return to a more normal way of life.
The booklet is also available to read and download from our website. For more information, please see our support for CEV page.
Although restrictions are beginning to lift, we must continue to be vigilant and comply with the rules. If you are asked to self-isolate, please do so to protect others around you, reduce transmission and save lives.
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Self-isolation helps stop the spread of COVID-19 within our community, and you need to self-isolate immediately if you have tested positive for coronavirus or are a close contact of someone who has tested positive; even if you don’t have symptoms. You also need to self-isolate if you live with or share a support bubble with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus or is showing symptoms. Visit our website for more information on self-isolation.
We know that self-isolating is hard, but it is very important you comply with the rules to prevent others from getting ill, especially the ones you love. If you don’t self-isolate when you should, you will be breaking the law and could face a large fine.
Stay safe and have a good week.
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