Health leaders in Bath and North East Somerset have responded to the lifting of national Covid-19 restrictions by saying that continued caution is needed to keep the region safe.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson previously announced that the legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive test for Covid-19 would end on Thursday, 24th February.

Changes to the country’s coronavirus testing programme were also announced, with widespread free testing due to end in April and regular at-home testing for close contacts of people with Covid-19 no longer mandatory.

However, the local NHS is urging continued awareness of the ongoing potential risk of Covid-19, especially as many continue to be admitted to hospital and thousands across the region remain unvaccinated.

Gill May, Director of Nursing and Quality, said: “Getting back to normal is something we all long for, but we cannot pretend for one minute that Covid-19 is no longer with us.

“New cases are still being recorded every day and although the numbers becoming seriously unwell are not where they once were, some poor people still find themselves in hospital with this nasty virus.

“History has shown that coronavirus tends to surge when we show complacency, and with legal mandates now withdrawn, we each have a moral responsibility to do whatever we can to keep ourselves and those around us safe.”

People should, wherever possible, continue to stay at home when showing signs of coronavirus, which include a new and persistent cough, a high temperature and changes to taste and smell.

Additionally, all local healthcare settings, including hospitals and GP practices, will continue to ask visitors to observe social distancing, regular hand cleaning and mask wearing when indoors to help keep patients and staff safe.

Many of the region’s GP surgeries will also continue to offer virtual appointments, either by phone or video call. Getting vaccinated against Covid-19 remains the best way of ensuring personal protection against the virus, while also helping to limit its spread to others.

Any person due a first, second or booster dose is advised to have their vaccine as quickly as possible, either by booking an appointment online or attending one of the many centres currently offering walk-in vaccinations.

People can find details of their nearest vaccination centre through the National Booking Service, which is available online at www.nhs.ukor over the phone by calling 119.

Becky Reynolds, Director of Public Health for B&NES said: “Covid rates are still high and the virus hasn’t gone away. We expect there to be new variants in the future, and some of these may be more severe than Omicron.

“We are learning to live with what remains a significant and very transmissible virus and moving away from regulations towards taking personal responsibility to protect ourselves and those who may become seriously ill if they catch Covid. That means staying at home if you have flu-like symptoms or a severe cold and carrying on with the good hygiene practices that have become embedded over the past couple of years.

“We understand that the more vulnerable within our communities may be concerned by the lifting of the restrictions, but please be reassured we are still here to support you and key settings such as care homes and other organisations that work with vulnerable people.

Whilst the specific national restrictions for Covid-19 have ended, Bath & North East Somerset Council will continue to work closely with national health protection teams to manage outbreaks of covid, as we would do with other communicable disease outbreaks.”

As a result of the Government’s announcement changes will be made to Lateral Flow Testing provision in B&NES:

• The last day of operation for the fixed testing site at 19 New Bond Street, Bath will be Saturday, 5th March

• The last day of operation for the COVID-19 mobile testing van will be Sunday, 20th March.

The Community Well-being Hub, set up at the onset of the pandemic, will also continue to operate, providing health advice and wellbeing support to residents. You can call the Hub on: 0300 247 0050

Monday – Friday 9 am – 5 pm or email: [email protected]