Residents urged to Covid test before attending festival events

Article date: 8 July 2022

High profile events coming up in the next three months ahead include the Creamfields Festival between August 25-28th and the Reminisce Festival in St Helens on September 10^th.

However festival goers from the borough are being asked to consider themselves and others when preparing to attend events and to stay at home if they feel unwell or show any Covid-19 symptoms.

Latest NHS figures show that at the end of June St Helens had the second highest rate of new Covid-19 infections in the Merseyside region, with the number of new cases in the Cheshire and Merseyside region combined now totalling 1,057 per day.  

Nationally there has also been a sharp increase in the number of cases linked to several festivals and events across the country in recent weeks.

With general community Covid-19 testing not currently operating in the borough in line with Government guidance, residents are being encouraged to avoid going to any festival or large groups events if they feel unwell. Festival goers are encouraged to do a Covid-19 test if they can before setting off, even if you feel well.

The Government has recently updated its list of symptoms for Covid-19 which now include symptoms such as a sore throat, diarrhoea and feeling sick or being sick. Further details are here: Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms in adults - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Councillor Anthony Burns, St Helens Borough Council Cabinet Member for Wellbeing, Culture and Heritage said: "There have been a number of high profile live music events across the country so far this summer and it is already becoming clear that in some instances a significant number of new Covid-19 infections have emerged afterwards amongst those who attended. Also some have unwittingly passed it on to family and friends.

"While we obviously want people to enjoy events like the Reminisce Festival, it's important to take precautions and stay safe. The risk of either contracting or transmitting the virus either before, during or after an event remains high.

"If we are to prevent infections rising further in the borough, it's important that we don't expose both ourselves and others to additional risk so please take precautions and don't travel if you think you may have symptoms of the virus,"

Ruth du Plessis, Director of Public Health at St Helens Borough Council, said: "The full return of live festival events this year is certainly good to see but we would urge festival goers to be cautious and think about protecting themselves and others.

"Even if you are fully vaccinated it's important that make you sure you are well enough to attend an event and don't have any symptoms of the virus or feel unwell at all. Ideally if you can do try and test at home before and after travelling to the event as well. You can be infectious for two days before symptoms develop or show no symptoms at all, yet still pass on the virus to many others without even knowing."

"In addition if you are using public transport to reach the event, we would encourage you to wear a mask if possible and open windows for ventilation if safe to do so."

If you do feel unwell after attending a festival event, try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have symptoms of COVID-19 and either you have a high temperature and or you do not feel well enough to go to work or do your normal activities.

Vaccination is making a big difference in reducing the risk of getting Long Covid-19 and serious illness and does help to reduce the risk of spread. If you are not fully vaccinated, the good news is there are still booked appointments and drops available, getting vaccinated is one of the best things you can do.

Further details on booking a Covid Vaccination or booster are here: Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk)