This is how you can celebrate Halloween, Bonfire Night and Remembrance in Hampshire
REVELLERS looking to mark celebratory events like Halloween and Bonfire Night are being warned to follow health guidance to stop the spread of coronavirus.
Hampshire County Council has issued the plea to residents today as health chiefs warned the area’s infection rate was ‘rising sharply’.
Simon Bryant, Hampshire’s director of public health, said it was critical the advice was followed.
‘With local infection rates rising sharply, it is vitally important that we all continue to observe social distancing, practice good hand hygiene and wear a face covering,’ he said.
‘Under the “rule of six”, gatherings of more than six people indoors and outdoors are also prohibited.
‘Following the government guidance is our best chance of limiting the spread of infection and making sure we keep everyone in Hampshire safe.’
Hampshire’s current local Covid alert level is ‘Medium’, which means national safety rules apply across the county and must be followed.
It allows for limited gatherings and socialising.
But concerns have been raised as a number of prominent events, look Remembrance and Diwali face being cancelled.
‘We are entering a crucial stage in the pandemic and we are working closely with our district partners and colleagues in the NHS and Public Health England, to continue to closely monitor the situation across the county,’ added Mr Bryant.
‘We are urging everyone to play their part, follow the guidance and protect friends, family and loved ones.’
The council has since released a number of advice for upcoming festive event.
Those marking Halloween are being urged not to trick or treat and celebrate within their own households.
Social gatherings of groups of more than six – indoors or outdoors – are prohibited under government guidelines.
Large-scale events like the tradition Bonfire Night celebrations are ‘strongly discouraged’, with people urged to watch firework displays virtually instead.
Elsewhere, the council said it will work with its partners to ensure that any Remembrance Sunday events taking place are able to go ahead safely.
Where spectacles do take place, strict social distancing must apply with public attendance carefully managed by organisers.
Large events to celebrate Diwali are strongly discouraged because of the ‘potential for mixing of large numbers of people’ and the ‘risk of infections spreading from other areas of the community’, the council added.