Stay close to home this weekend, pleads health boss

Amanda Healy, Durham County Council’s director of public health, has recorded a video urging people to cancel any plans to visit its beauty spots following renewed pleas from the Government to heed the rules during the lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who himself has been unwell with coronavirus, issued a video message yesterday, Friday, April 2, stressing the importance of staying at home to help prevent the spread of the illness.

In his message, he said: “You are saving lives by staying at home, so I urge you to stick with it this weekend, even if we do have some fine weather.”

Health Secretary Matt Hancock also re-emphasised the need for people to stay at home during Friday afternoon’s Government press conference.

The forecast for the North East this weekend is good, with Sunday likely to be especially sunny, with temperatures of 17C predicted.

The council’s health chief said: “It’s essential we follow these new rules to protect the most vulnerable in our society and slow the transmission of coronavirus.

“Thank includes every one of us, our friends and our close family.

“Our parks and open spaces remain open for people wanting to take their daily exercise, but we urge you to stay to your local parks and spaces that are close to your home and to follow the social distancing rules, keeping two metres apart and only exercise with anyone in your household.

“I’m aware that people may want to visit County Durham and our beautiful coastline and the city of Durham, however, at this time we urge people to the sensible and to please stay away.

“As an area that has always extended a very warm welcome to visitors, we find this a really difficult message to give, however, at this time we urge you to stay home and stay away from County Durham.”

She also stressed staying away was also important for the safety of residents, and that as soon as it was possible to do so, the area will “welcome back visitors to County Durham with open arms.”

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