Health boss reveals how Sheffield could go into local lockdown as Covid infection rate rises

In a video posted to Sheffield City Council’s Youtube account on Friday, September 25, Greg Fell urged those living in the city to abide by the new Covid-19 guidelines, or else the city’s high rates of virus transmission could result in the area being subjected to a local lockdown.

People are currently only allowed to meet with a maximum of six people from multiple households in indoor and outdoor settings, as part of new virus restrictions to slow the spread of coronavirus.

The city’s Public Health Director started the recorded message by urging residents to continue to wash their hands, wear face coverings and keep a safe social distance when meeting up in groups of six or less.

Mr Fell shared that Sheffield risks going into a local lockdown like areas of the North West, North East and West Yorkshire, if people continue to flout the rules while the virus transmission rate continues to rise.

He said: "We must all adhere to the guidance, we know that the rate of transmission in Sheffield, like lots of places, is going up.

"The rules are there to protect all of Sheffield, particularly those that are most vulnerable.”

The city’s health boss raised his concern that residents aren’t taking the threat of the virus seriously, which is causing Covid-19 to spread.

Mr Fell continued: "Developing a ‘so what?’ type of attitude will probably end in rates of transmission going higher and that might end in tighter restrictions meaning we go back to a place that we once were and no one has the opportunity of visiting anyone again for quite some time which is clearly something that we’d want to avoid.

"So we want to avoid that.

"Please keep your distance.

"Please keep your groups to six or smaller.

"Wash your hands.

"Wear a face mask where you’re told to do so.”

Earlier last week, Chief Medical Officer Chris Whitty and Chief Scientific Office Patrick Vallance addressed the nation and warned the public that there could potentially be 50,000 new Covid-19 cases by the end of October if measures aren’t taken to curb the spread of the virus.

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