Luton's director of public health urges residents to 'stay at home' during new lockdown

Current figures show a steep increase in coronavirus cases both in Luton and across the country.

The new lockdown replaces the previous tier 4 arrangement with stricter rules and regulations in which the main message to the public is to simply ‘stay at home’.

Luton Borough Council has pledged to continue providing essential services during the lockdown, which is likely to remain in force until mid-February.

Director of public health, Lucy Hubber said: “The rates of transmission in Luton are at a very high level and are increasing.

"We are also seeing a very high rate of positive results on people who have been tested for the virus. It is sensible to assume that anyone you meet might be infectious and to behave as if you might be.

"Stay at home, if possible, and if you have to go out keep a 2m distance from other people.”

There is widespread evidence that the new variant of Covid-19, which is much more contagious than the original virus, is the main source of the rapid rise in the number of cases of infection.

In Luton alone, the overall rate is now 681 cases per 100,000, with case rates among the over 60s more than doubling in the last month and those in the under-10 age range having nearly doubled during the past few weeks.

Under the new lockdown, you must not leave or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

> Shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person

> Go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home

> Exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

> Meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one

> Seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)

> Attend education or childcare - for those eligible.