• Health experts urge safety-first approach as restrictions ease again

    FOLLOWING the continued easing of lockdown restrictions, health experts from Bradford have joined forces to reinforce the importance of safe social distancing.

    Bradford Teaching Hospitals’ Associate Director of Research, Dr Dinesh Saralaya, and Consultant Respiratory Physician, Dr Abid Aziz, will feature on Sunrise Radio today from 5pm with an important message for our South Asian communities in particular.

    Dr Saralaya will stress that the pandemic is not over, and it remains vital that members of South Asian communities, who remain at greater risk from Covid-19, continue to follow social distancing rules, maintain hand-washing habits and refrain from hugs and handshakes.

    “It’s important that there is no relaxation in our efforts to keep ourselves and others as safe as possible,” said Mel Pickup, Chief Executive of Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Bradford Royal Infirmary.

    “Despite everyone’s support in fighting the spread of the virus, every week our doctors and nurses are still caring for new patients admitted with COVID-19.

    Remains a threat

    “The virus is still out there and remains a threat to us all.”

    Bradford’s Director of Public Health, Sarah Muckle, echoed the safety-first message.

    “We are working hard to slow down the spread of COVID-19 infections in Bradford and everyone has a role to play in achieving this.

    “These changes mean friends and family can start to meet loved ones.

    “Yet it’s important that this long-awaited moment for many is carried out as safely as possible – especially the need to always keep a distance between people.

    “People in our community who have been identified as clinically vulnerable, and are currently shielding, should continue to do so to put their own and others’ health first.”

    ENDS