Covid-19: Caution urged over late dash for Christmas shopping in Peterborough

Director of public health for Peterborough and Cambridgeshire Dr Liz Robin has warned that there are big risks for people heading to shopping centres and other busy places where there are likely to be crowds.

Speaking to the Peterborough Telegraph after it was announced Peterborough will move into Tier 3 from Saturday, Dr Robin said: “Any crowded indoor area is potentially risky so people do need to think about how they do their Christmas shopping. It would be ideal to shop local to support local businesses, but shop online where possible.

“Try to go at times where it’s least likely to be crowded. If it looks crowded then maybe think again because it’s going to be difficult. We would want people to avoid over-crowding in shopping areas - that’s going to be a risk.

“Wear a mask in indoor spaces, but also more generally look at the level of crowding and whether it’s safe to go.”

Although the Government is allowing people from three households to mix between December 23 and December 27, Dr Robin believes families should avoid each other over winter with prospects looking much better for the country in the near future.

She added: “There’s consensus amongst health professionals that social mixing at Christmas is a real risk. If there is significantly more mixing at Christmas that will lead to a rise in cases and a rise in hospitalisations.

“Given that Peterborough starts with a rate of Covid that’s above the national average, that’s a risk for us.

“The safest way to celebrate this Christmas is to spend it at home with the people that you normally live with or who are in your existing support bubble. The more you mix socially the more Covid will spread.

“That’s inevitable. The safest way to meet family and friends is virtually, followed by outdoors, which is much safer than indoors.

“We do have real light at the end of the tunnel. We estimate in the spring, perhaps by March, a lot of vulnerable people will have been vaccinated. It will then be much safer to have wider family gatherings. People have to make their own decisions, but I would urge them to put off large gatherings until spring.

“It’s a tough message for Christmas, but it’s about seeing light at end of the tunnel and people working together to get those rates down.”

RELATED: Peterborough moves into Tier 3 due to rising COVID rate

Peterborough residents urged to do more to stop COVID to help city move out of tier 3

Cresset panto cast devastated as Peterborough moves into Tier 3

Covid-19: Disappointment and call for Christmas rule change as Peterborough moves into Tier 3

Covid-19: Peterborough moving into Tier 3 ‘inevitable’ but not enough to stop spread

Covid-19: Peterborough to get rapid tests and new testing sites as timing of Tier change labelled ‘daft’

Covid-19 outbreaks at secondary schools and care homes ‘the reason’ for Peterborough moving into Tier 3