Rotherham Council is pairing up partner organisations across the borough to encourage residents to continue protecting themselves from COVID-19.
Thousands of free festive face coverings will be distributed on the lead-up to and during Friday 17 December 2021 – which is being officially designated as Festive Face Covering Day!
Residents will be able to pick up their free face covering from a number of places in and around Rotherham. The face coverings will be given out on a first come first served basis.
People are also being encouraged to show off their own home-made face coverings by sharing photos on social media using the #FestiveFaceCoverings hashtag.
And if you’re not sure how to make your own face covering, Rotherham Creative Learning has produced a great instructional video, you can visit the Council’s YouTube channel.
Face coverings are now required to be worn in shops, including shopping centres, hairdressers, beauty salons and pharmacies. They are also required to be worn when using public transport.
During the winter period, people are more likely to gather indoors so it is important that we all take precautions to stop the spread of COVID-19. A simple way to reduce the risk of catching the virus is to wear a face covering in busy indoor areas.
Ben Anderson, Rotherham’s Director of Public Health, said: “Over the Christmas period, we will be spending more time indoors in places like shopping malls. During this time, the risk of spreading COVID-19 will be increased so I am encouraging everyone who is able to, to wear a face covering.
“As COVID-19 is spread by droplets in the air, sometimes described as aerosols, face coverings significantly reduce your risk of catching the virus by acting as an extra barrier. A third of people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms, so it is important that we all make this small step to protect ourselves and our loved ones. Christmas time is a time for celebration, not for worrying about the health of your friends and family, so protect them by doing what you can to stop the spread of COVID-19 by getting your COVID-19 vaccinations, getting tested and self-isolating if you test positive, and wearing a face covering whenever possible.”
Trish Sharp from Rotherham Creative said: “Since the start of the pandemic, many people have taken to crafting in order to help their mental health or learn a new skill. Even now, as restrictions have eased, people have continued to attend our sessions in large numbers.
“We’re delighted to be supporting the festive face covering campaign and look forward to seeing lots of colourful designs around Rotherham in the coming weeks.”
Further information about wearing face coverings can be found at www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
Information about COVID-19 and keeping well this winter can be found at www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus.