Dumfries and Galloway Council Leader Elaine Murray has issued a statement after ther Scottish Government announced on July 2nd that following an outbreak of COVID-19 in the east of Dumfries and Galloway this area will have localised restrictions put in place immediately and will be reviewed on Monday 6th July.
The areas affected are postcodes: DG1, DG2, DG11, DG12, DG13, DG14 and DG16.
This decision made today by Scottish Government includes:
• Continuing with the enforced travel restrictions of 5 miles from home for leisure and recreation in these postcode areas
• The ongoing suspension of visiting to care homes in these postcode areas
• Particular focus on encouraging people not to travel across the Scotland/England border to Cumbria
Elaine Murray, Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council said:
“Dumfries and Galloway has done well so far in controlling coronavirus however some complacency has crept in recently. We know that a couple of social gatherings which shouldn’t have taken place may be implicated in the spread of this outbreak. It’s vital that we adhere to the guidance this weekend, including that which remains in place in part of our region but has been relaxed elsewhere in Scotland. This outbreak reminds us that the virus is still circulating. We know it is in the community in Cumbria so it essential that none of us travel to Carlisle for the reopening of the pubs this weekend, however tempting that may be”Rob Davidson, Depute Leader of Dumfries and Galloway Council said: “This is certainly not where we wanted to be at this stage of the pandemic, but first and foremost, the safety of our residents is our first priority and our council agrees wholeheartedly with the Scottish Government’s advice. Please continue to follow that advice, this weekend in particular, to help keep everyone safe.
It is unfortunate that we were just starting to see the first signs of a return to normality, but we always knew this was a precarious journey with no certainty of the road ahead.
Our Council will work with our partners in Public Health, the NHS and Police Scotland to ensure that we take all steps possible to provide all the help we can to our residents in these areas for as long as is needed, as we have done previously. We hope for everyone’s sake that this time it will be for as short a period as possible.”Jeff Ace, Chief Executive of NHS Dumfries and Galloway said: “I would like to commend the multi-agency response we have seen to date to this cluster of COVID-19 cases in the Annan and Gretna areas of Dumfries and Galloway. Some excellent multi-agency working has taken place, and this continues as we seek to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
Restrictions announced by the Scottish Government will affect certain postcode areas of our region, and we would ask everyone to recognise these and to act accordingly in support of this work.The people of Dumfries and Galloway have supported the work to reduce the impact of COVID-19 over recent months and we thank them for their continued vigilance.
I would urge anyone experiencing symptoms of coronavirus to immediately self-isolate and arrange testing via the mobile testing unit.”Nick Morris, Chairman of NHS Dumfries and Galloway said: “A great deal of activity has been taking place to address the cluster of COVID-19 cases in the Annan and Gretna areas, and this is continuing today through our Test and Protect system. This action is necessary to limit the risk of further transmission.
We would also highlight the decision made today by the Scottish Government not to ease restrictions on travel within certain of our postcode areas for leisure and recreation, and the ongoing suspension of visiting to care homes in these areas.
We acknowledge the effects that the response will have on those individuals directly affected and wider communities, but it is vitally important that everyone follows the national guidance. Doing this will help to contain the virus and will continue to help save lives.”
