With new cases of Covid-19 still happening in the city, everyone must take extra care to stop the spread of coronavirus. The best way to stay safe is for people to follow the social distancing guidance and get tested as soon as they have symptoms.
Eid al-Adha begins tomorrow (Thursday 30 July) and Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “We know that, normally, people would be celebrating this special time in different circumstances and in different ways, and we hope they can do so again soon.
“To avoid any local lockdown measures, we have worked closely with local faith leaders over many weeks to ensure that Eid-al-Adha can be celebrated safely.
“Mosques in the city have reopened and are Covid secure, which means they have put in measures to keep everyone safe. This also means that mosques cannot welcome as many people at one time. Some faith leaders continue to use digital tools to bring people together for prayers and sermons and we would encourage you to take advantage of these services where possible to mark Eid-al-Adha.
“Please continue to stay alert during this difficult time. Keep a safe distance from anyone you don’t live with, limit the number of people that you come into contact with, and wash your hands with soap more frequently.
“We urgently need people to self isolate and get tested straight away if they have any symptoms of coronavirus, no matter how mild. Symptoms are a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to their sense of smell or taste. If you feel you have put yourself at risk of exposure to Covid-19, you must get a test.
“The test is quick and easy, and very important in stopping the spread of coronavirus and protecting our communities. Unless everyone gets a test as soon as they need one, we will not know where the virus is until it has spread to many others.
“We have provided lots of test opportunities in Wolverhampton, with 2 drive through test centres and are opening a number of walk through centres, so there’s no excuse not to book a test if you need one.”
For more information, and to apply for a Covid-19 test, please go to GOV.UK. If you don’t have internet or you don’t speak English, call 119 between 7am and 11pm. If you are hard of hearing or have speech difficulties call 18001 or 0300 303 2713.
All appointments must be booked in advance. Anyone in Wolverhampton who tests positive for Covid-19 will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and will need to isolate and share information about people that have been close contacts recently.
The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at GOV.UK and on the council’s own coronavirus pages at Coronavirus advice and information. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves and their families from coronavirus from the NHS.
The council’s Stay Safe, Be Kind campaign offers clear and simple advice about how people can help themselves, and how they can support others who may be particularly vulnerable at this time. For more information, please visit Stay Safe, Be Kind.
