Faith leaders’ appeal to follow Covid rules
Faith leaders have joined with health chiefs in urging the region’s communities to remain vigilant in the fight against coronavirus.
Laws preventing social gatherings of more than six people are now in place across England.
But with Covid-19 cases rising quickly in some parts of the West Midlands extra local restrictions came into effect in Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull on Tuesday – and Wolverhampton on Friday – which prevent different households from meeting up in their homes and gardens.
At the region’s latest faith briefing, a virtual event that has been held regularly since the start of the pandemic, religious leaders joined with Dr Justin Varney, Birmingham’s director of public health, in calling on communities to familiarise themselves with the new rules and follow the latest guidance on how to stay safe.
Dr Varney said: “The only way we can control the spread of this virus is through the decisions we each make as individuals.
"This means following the guidance, continuing to practice social distancing and washing your hands.
"We must all take action and take responsibility for what we can each do to help get this outbreak under control.”
Mayor of the West Midlands Andy Street, who chairs the briefings, added: “Over the past few months these faith briefings have provided a forum to share important advice with local communities and continue to do so.
“At this critical time as children return to school and more people go back to work the briefings continue to inform communities and help us all continue to stay safe.”
Throughout the pandemic West Midlands religious groups have been bringing together their communities to help the region get through the crisis.
Vital voluntary services have been set up by the wide range of faiths to help anyone affected by the current crisis, regardless of belief.
