Residents and visitors in Helston and surrounding areas are being urged to take precautions and show respect to others on their festive break.

Cornwall Council's Public Health Team and the local NHS are asking people to follow the government's guidance and get their vaccinations and booster jabs as soon as they can to curb the spread of the Omicron variant.

That way they can keep themselves as safe as possible, as well as protecting those around them and reducing pressure on local health services.

The guidance is as follows:

• Get your jabs as soon as you are eligible.
• If you are traveling, take a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) and only head out if it is negative. If you are visiting Cornwall bring your own supply of LFTs with you if possible.
• Stay at home and do a PCR test if you have winter illness symptoms, (cough, cold, sore throat, achy bones, high temperature, loss of smell or taste).
• Wear a mask indoors where possible and wash/sanitise your hands regularly.
• Open the windows if you're socialising indoors (a good chance to don that festive knitwear to stay warm!)
• Be kind and show respect to residents, staff in hospitality businesses, and frontline health and emergency services workers.
• Use NHS 111 for non-emergency health issues to ease pressure on Emergency Departments.
• Contact your own GP rather than a local surgery if you become ill while on holiday in Cornwall.

Rachel Wigglesworth, Director of Public Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "We know it's the season to be jolly and we hope everyone has a fantastic Christmas here in Cornwall, whether you're a resident or a visitor. But with the Omicron variant of Covid-19 spreading quickly across the country it is really important that everyone takes responsibility for their own actions and behaviours to keep our communities as protected as possible. This means following the guidance, getting your jabs when eligible, and using common sense such as not socialising if you're feeling unwell." Malcolm Bell, Head of Visit Cornwall, added: "It's a season of goodwill so let's show respect to those around us while having a good time with our family and friends. You may be on a break but workers in the hospitality industry aren't. Christmas is a great time to appreciate everything our Cornwall has to offer but let's make sure we do it safely."

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