As well as information translated into the 15 most widely spoken languages across the city other than English, new resources include a range of videos in British Sign Language and access to Easy Read material.
The updated webpages offer spoken and translated videos explaining coronavirus and the vaccine and addressing common myths. These include local GP Dr Mohit Mandiratta explaining the importance of the vaccination in Urdu and Hasmukh Patel, Trustee of Shree Gujarati Hindu Centre, explaining in Gujarati. There are also translated guides, posters and leaflets along with graphics for people to share on social media and amongst their community groups.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: “As a diverse and multicultural city, it is vital that we support our communities in their own languages.
“This is particularly important when it comes to coronavirus and the vaccine, as statistics show that Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities are disproportionately affected by coronavirus and may also be more reluctant to have the vaccine.
“It is understandable that some people may be hesitant about having their vaccination, and the spread of myths and misinformation does not help. We must make sure that everyone has access to the facts and is reassured that the vaccine is safe and approved.”
She added: “I am pleased that we are now providing vaccine facts, guidance and information in a way that more people in the city can access and share. I hope that by making these resources easily available in different languages, we can give people the facts they need, prevent the spread of rumours and myths and encourage everyone to have their vaccine when it is their turn.”
The updated and translated information can be found at Other languages. As well as the dedicated translated resources, every page of the council’s website can be automatically translated using the built-in Recite Me tool at the top of each page.
Latest figures show there were 210 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the 7 days to 13 February. That means 552 people in the city tested positive for the virus in that 7 day period – though the true number of new cases will likely be considerably higher.
The latest information and guidance around coronavirus is available at GOV.UK and on the council’s own coronavirus pages.
Information about the vaccine can be found at Covid-19 Vaccine. More information about testing is available at Coronavirus Testing. Further details of the lockdown restrictions currently in place, and the answers to frequently asked questions, are available at COVID Alert.
