Appeal to stay in at New Year

Devon health director urges caution

Devon’s director of public health has urged people "not to take the risk" by participating in New Year’s Eve celebrations.

Current restrictions don't allow people to meet indoors with anyone outside their household or support bubble - but up to six people can meet outdoors, including children.

However, with positive cases continuing to rise across the county, Steve Brown, director of Public Health Devon, said: “Regardless of what tier we are in, please do everything we can to minimise social contact with people outside our household or immediate support bubble this New Year’s Eve.

“Contact is how the virus spreads. The latest variant is extremely good at passing between people, and although there is no evidence that it is any worse for you than the first variant, the fact that it spreads so much more efficiently, the likelihood of it reaching people who are most vulnerable to it are so much greater.

“Whatever your plans are for New Year’s Eve, please if you can, stay home, stay safe and keep your families and friends safe.”

The message comes as the data has shown infection numbers rising in Devon as a whole, although cases have been slightly trending down in East Devon, Mid Devon, North Devon and Torridge. Only the South Hams has a current infection rate of below 100 per 100,000.

Devon’s rate as a whole is 144 per 100,000, significantly lower than the England average of 403 per 100,000.

Mr Brown added: “It is too soon to see what impact the relaxation of restrictions on Christmas Day will have on our case numbers, but I expect we will see a rise as a consequence. That’s why I am asking, regardless of our tier restrictions, please let’s not give the virus the opportunities it needs to spread.”