Stay cautious and keep yourself and others safe from COVID-19
People in Oxfordshire are being encouraged to continue to get tested for COVID-19 twice-weekly and get vaccinated when they can after the national roadmap entered a new phase from 17 May.
Indoor hospitality is now able to re-open and indoor entertainment can resume, including cinemas, museums, and children’s play areas. Up to six people or two households can meet indoors and up to 30 people outdoors. All remaining outdoor entertainment can reopen, such as outdoor cinemas and performances. International travel to ‘green list’ countries is also allowed.
Ansaf Azhar, Oxfordshire County Council’s Director for Public Health, said: “With people now meeting indoors once more and wanting to meet relatives they may not have seen for several months, it is more important than ever that people take advantage of the testing options that are available. It really is a case of better safe than sorry, particularly when we’re facing a new variant of the virus.
“The numbers in Oxfordshire are currently low and they reflect the caution people have been exercising. Thank you to you all for playing your part! However, with the new rules bringing more of us together, we must remember that one in three of us can carry the virus without symptoms. Being indoors also increases the risk of spreading COVID-19. Testing remains a crucial part of how we can continue to ease out of lockdown safely.
“The number of requests for testing has declined in recent weeks but lateral flow tests are still playing an important role in picking up cases. Last week more than half of new cases identified in Oxfordshire came from lateral flow tests.
“Let’s continue to play it safe. We do not know how transmissible the new variant first detected in India is and this is a further reason for caution.
“Please think about keeping your distance from those who are not fully vaccinated or may have other vulnerabilities. To mitigate the risk of catching or spreading COVID-19, we should all: meet outside where possible; take the vaccine when offered it; minimise how many people we are in close contact with, and for how long; take part in twice-weekly symptom-free testing; and continue to test and isolate if we have symptoms or test positive. Remember the basics of hands, face, space and fresh air to keep our progress moving in the right direction.”
What is the current picture in Oxfordshire?
The current number of cases per 100,000 of the population in Oxfordshire is 10.4.
- Cherwell: 13.3
- Oxford: 10.5
- South Oxfordshire: 7.7
- Vale of White Horse: 9.6
- West Oxfordshire: 10.8