Coronavirus is the biggest health emergency in a generation, but I want to stress that the NHS is well prepared to deal with incidents like this and I am assured that the Government has a clear plan, based on the expertise of world-leading scientists.
Last week the Government asked everybody to stay at home for 7 days if you had one of two key symptoms: a high temperature or a new and continuous cough.
The Prime Minister announced on Monday that we now need to go further. That is why Matt Hancock, the Health Secretary, laid out plans to help bolster public health protections against Coronavirus – these measures have been put in place to reduce the risk of further human-to-human transmission.
If you or anyone else in your household has one of those symptoms, then you should not stay at home for 14 days.
Even if you and everybody else in your household has no symptoms, there is more that we need you to do. The Prime Minister has said now is the time for everyone to stop non-essential contact with others and to stop all unnecessary travel. We also need people to start working from home where possible and to avoid pubs, clubs, theatres and other such social venues.
This advice is particularly important for people over 70, for pregnant women, and for those with underlying health conditions.
People have been asking why are we doing this now, why not earlier, or later? The answer is that the Government is asking people to do something that is difficult and disruptive and the right moment to impose these measures, as we have always said, is to do it when it is most effective, when we think it can make the biggest difference.
We are facing significant challenges in the coming weeks with more people being asked to self-isolate because of Coronavirus. It is important that we all follow the advice of the Chief Medical Officer and Chief Scientific Officer, but also look at what we can do to best support our neighbours and the most vulnerable in society.
My South Swindon constituency office will be focusing its efforts on supporting those constituents who require urgent assistance. If you, or somebody you know, is unable to leave the house to purchase food and other essentials, please do get in contact with me via [email protected].
A large number of residents have emailed me with specific questions about the Government’s response to Coronavirus, particularly around how we can support small businesses through this difficult time. Please be patient whilst me and my constituency team make our way through these. In the meantime, I will continue to update my website with all of the latest Government advice – this can be found on https://www.robertbuckland.co.uk/cornonavirus
On Tuesday I attended a Cabinet meeting where there was a shared sense of determination to do whatever it takes to keep people safe and to ensure that we can return to normal life as soon as it is safe and sensible to do so.
