Car sharing plea from Devon’s director of public health
Steve Brown, director of public health for Devon - Credit: Daniel Clark
Devon’s director of public health is asking everyone who needs to work from a work place to be extra vigilant to tackle the spread of coronavirus.
While cases across the county are falling Steve Brown, Devon’s public health chief is concerned about the number of cases still arising in work places.
He said that people need to be extra careful in those communal down-time moments in order to drive down infections further, and has asked commuters not to car share unless absolutely necessary to minimise the risk.
Mr Brown said: “We’re still seeing cases spreading between work colleagues.
“It’s often not because of the work place practices themselves, it’s more a consequence of social interaction between colleagues while at work.
“And too often, it’s the virus spreading between colleagues who are car sharing.
“I’m asking everyone who needs to work from a work place, as opposed to from home, to be extra vigilant around social contact with other people at work.
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“It’s those communal down-time moments in particular where we need to be really careful – the kitchen, the coffee breaks, the social catch ups in the corridor.
“Please follow the guidance, especially around social distancing, wearing of face coverings when inside, and washing our hands regularly.
“Too often also, we’re seeing spread of the virus through car sharing. The best option is not to car share, but if you must – if your journey is essential and that car sharing is the only way to make that journey – please do everything you can to minimise the risk of catching and spreading the virus between passengers.
“Putting vaccines and testing aside, we will beat coronavirus by halting the spread. Only by following the guidance – social distancing, wearing face coverings, washing our hands regularly – can we halt the spread. And if car sharing, please follow the described guidance to minimise risk to yourselves and others.”
He added that car sharing is not permitted with people from outside your household or support bubble, unless your journey is undertaken for an exempt reason, eg if car sharing is necessary as part of your work.
