Ryedale District Council is thanking its citizens for keeping one another safe and is reminding everyone to continue to follow the Government guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last night, the government announced a three-tier lockdown system which has been introduced to try to stop the spread of COVID-19.

Each area across the UK is classified as being on medium, high, or very high alert.

As of 13 October 2019, Ryedale is on medium alert. This means that citizens should only meet up with friends or family they don’t live with, in groups of six or less. The rule of six still applies both indoors and outdoors. Plus, pubs, bars and restaurants will have to close at 22:00.

Councillor Keane Duncan, Leader of Ryedale District Council said:

“No change is sensible for Ryedale at this time. Tighter restrictions could have dire consequences for businesses and residents who are already facing hardship. We need to protect lives first and foremost, but we must protect livelihoods too. Many people are really struggling and we must do all we can to help them. The situation is, of course, under constant review.

“I’d like to thank the citizens and businesses of Ryedale for playing their part and continuing to follow the Government guidelines. COVID-19 hasn’t gone away and is still impacting our daily lives. I know that we’re all making sacrifices, but now more than ever we need to be vigilant. Each of us has a social responsibility to protect one another.”

The Government guidance of ‘hands, face and space’ still applies, with citizens advised to:

  • Regularly wash their hands and for 20 seconds at a time
  • Wear a face mask, or face covering on public transport and in indoor premises where required
  • When out and about, please stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times. 

To keep up-to-date with the current risk level in Ryedale and the latest Government advice, citizens can download the NHS COVID-19 app. The app informs them of the risk level in Ryedale, enables them to check-in to venues using QR poster codes across the district and can help them check any symptoms and book a COVID-19 test.

If any citizens are self-isolating and have no immediate network of support, they are being urged to call the contact centre on 01609 780 780. The centre will put them in touch with the Ryedale Community Support Organisation (RSCO), a central resource for residents, partners, organisations and networks across the Ryedale District.

The RSCO can organise food and medication collection, offer support with regular telephone befriending and welfare checks, give information and advice, plus act as an access point for the North Yorkshire County Council COVID-19 Support Fund (available to individuals experiencing financial hardship as a result of the Coronavirus).

If citizens have been asked to self-isolate via the NHS Test and Trace system, but feel that they can’t due to financial constraints, they may be eligible for a Test and Trace support payment. Full details can be found here: https://www.ryedale.gov.uk/covid-19-2020/test-and-trace-support-payments or by phoning 01653 600666 (please select option 3 for Housing Benefits, then select option 2 Benefits).