Simple steps to keep safe - reminder from Caring for People

With new COVID-19 cases confirmed in Orkney over recent days, Orkney’s Caring for People group is reminding everyone of the measures they can take to help keep themselves and others safe.

Caring for People is a task force of local public sector and voluntary organisations charged with helping the Orkney community recover and build resilience in challenging times.

Chair of the group, and Interim Head of Health and Community Care Lynda Bradford, said: “Given that we are seeing cases being announced in Orkney regularly over the last couple of weeks, we thought it would be both useful to remind and reassure the community of the simple steps they can take to minimise the risk of transmission in the community.

“We’d remind everyone of some simple steps that will help keep yourself and the wider community safe.”

These include:

• Wear face coverings inside public places and wherever you cannot maintain two metres social distancing. Face coverings should cover your nose and mouth. Use clean hands to put on and remove your mask, try not to touch it while wearing it, change it if it gets damp, and wash or sanitise your hands after removing and disposing or putting in the wash.
• Avoid crowded places and minimise necessary trips.
• Clean your hands regularly – carry sanitiser and wash your hands regularly with soap and water for at least twenty seconds.
• Keep two metres distance between yourself and people from other households.
• If you have symptoms, book a test and self isolate until you know the results, and follow the advice of health professionals with regards to any time you and members of your household need to remain insolation.
• If your work requires you to wear PPE please ensure it meets the national guidance and that it is appropriately worn and disposed of – check with your manager if you are at all unsure.
• If your workplace is part of the Lateral Flow (Covid) Testing programme (‘rapid testing’), ensure you adhere to the testing timetables.
• Work from home wherever possible.
• Consider signing up to the Protect Scotland app at protect.scot.

Orkney remains in Level Three and restrictions include:

• you should not enter other people’s homes on a social basis
• you should not travel to other areas in Scotland or in the UK for non-essential purposes

Information about restrictions across Scotland and the FACTS Guidance for reducing transmission of COVID-19 is available on the Scottish Government website.

Information about working from home and the support employers should give to enable this is available on the Scottish Government website here.