Dear residents and partners,

So far in West Sussex we have had a relatively low number of cases of Coronavirus. That is mainly thanks to you for continuing to follow the government guidelines on regular handwashing, wearing face coverings, social distancing and getting tested.

However we have seen an increase in recent weeks in the number of people who have tested positive for Coronavirus.

We have to continue to do all we can to keep the numbers as low as possible. It means taking preventative action to stop the spread of the virus including regular handwashing, practising social distancing, wearing a face mask when appropriate and getting tested when you have symptoms.

Our website has the latest guidance and information on how to prevent the spread of the disease and what we will do in the event of an outbreak in West Sussex. We really hope we won’t have to implement these plans, but we are ready to act if we need to.

We’ll continue to monitor all our cases in West Sussex and publicise key messages about how people can help us to control the virus. The Keep West Sussex Safe information campaign is running across the county with a particular focus where there are areas of concern.

As restrictions continue to relax and guidance changes, it is inevitable that there are questions about what you can and can’t do, especially when it comes to gatherings and spending time with people outside of your household.

We have heard this week that social gatherings of more than six people will not be allowed in England from Monday 14 September. This will apply in any setting, indoors or outdoors. This single measure replaces both the existing ban on gatherings of more than 30 and the current guidance on allowing 2 households to meet indoors. There will be some limited exemptions. For example, if a single household or support bubble is larger than 6, they can still meet up.

Please continue to follow these guidelines. We appreciate how hard it has been not to see friends and family in the way we are used to, but there are ways to be in touch and stay safe at the same time. We are very grateful to all residents for their continued efforts to ensure the county remains safe. We have done so well to control the spread of COVID-19 in West Sussex up until now. Please help us to keep it that way.

Let’s avoid a local lockdown and keep West Sussex safe.

Stephen Horsley
Director of Public Health

Hand washing

Wash your hands with soap and water more often than usual, for at least 20 seconds, using hand sanitiser if soap and water are not available

Social distancing

You should avoid close contact with anyone outside of your household or support bubble and practise social distancing.

You should try to stay 2 metres apart, but when this is not possible then stay at least 1 metre apart and consider taking these steps

• Wear a face covering
• Sit next to rather than face-to-face to someone
• Keep the time you spend doing this to a minimum

Face coverings

If you can, wear a face covering in enclosed public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.

Further information on when you need to wear face coverings, exemptions, and how to make your own face covering can be found on the GOV.UK website.

Test and trace

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, you should get tested. You can also visit NHS Coronavirus (COVID-19) or call 119.

Full details visit our Coronavirus pages on our website.