The Wiltshire and Swindon Local Resilience Forum (LRF) brings together the emergency services, local authorities and other relevant partnership agencies to ensure a joined-up approach to responding to major incidents.

Since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic, the LRF has been working hard to keep our communities safe during these difficult and unprecedented times.

Firstly, we want to thank you all for your continued support. It is clear that we have had huge levels of co-operation and compliance in the county with the Government’s public health messaging and various restrictions, and we know that so many of you will have made personal sacrifices to help stop the spread of Covid-19.

Secondly, we want to urge you all to continue that good work over the festive period. We know that the Government’s announcement about the changes to the Christmas plans will have caused disappointment for so many people, but it is clear the new restrictions are in place for an important reason and need to be followed.

We also want to make sure people understand that, as it stands currently, Swindon and Wiltshire remain at the “High Alert” Tier 2 level, meaning there will be significant limits on what you will be able to do for new year.

Currently, unless the Government makes any changes to the Tiers for our county, in Tier 2 you can only meet outdoors in a group of no more than 6, you are only allowed to meet indoors with those you live with or have formed a support bubble with, and hospitality venues must stop serving at 10pm and close at 11pm.

We hope you understand the importance of marking the new year at home with the people you live with rather than organising further celebrations.

It is clear that Covid-19 continues to pose a very real risk to us all and we need to work together to ensure our health services do not become overwhelmed by a third spike of cases in January.

Please make sure you visit www.gov.uk to keep up to date with the restrictions in place and how they may impact you and your families.

Once again, thank you for your ongoing support, it is greatly appreciated.

Stay safe.

Wiltshire and Swindon Local Resilience Forum