Buckinghamshire residents urged to stay safe this Bonfire Night

Health and Social Care, Homepage, Social Activities

Due to new national restrictions coming into force on 5 November Buckinghamshire Council is updating advice for Bonfire Night first issued on 30 October.

Buckinghamshire Council is urging residents to stay safe this Bonfire Night and follow government guidance. This means:

  • Staying at home –  residents should not leave home except for; work (if cannot work from home), education, childcare, outdoor exercise, visiting outdoor venues that are open, shopping for necessities, medical reasons, visiting the vulnerable or their bubble, volunteering or to escape injury or harm.
  • No socialising at home – you cannot socialise in your home or private outdoor space (such as your own garden) with people outside your household or ‘bubble’.
  • Meeting just one person outdoors – you can exercise or visit public places with people you live with, your support bubble, or one person from another household. You cannot meet in a private garden.NB: children under school age, as well as those dependent on round-the-clock care, who are with their parents DO NOT count towards the limit on two people meeting outside.
  • Staying safe when outdoors – everyone should minimise the time spent outside the home. When around people not part of your household or bubble:
    • Stay two metres apart  or;
    • One metre with extra precautions (e.g. wearing face covering)

Full details of the new national restrictions from 5 November can be found here  https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november?utm_source=fc0c028c-b434-4b5f-a52f-7f28e1c1da8b&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=govuk-notifications&utm_content=immediate

Gareth Williams, Cabinet Member for Communities and Public Health, said: “The safety of all our residents is our primary concern, which is why we’re advising people to stay safe and follow the guidelines this Bonfire Night.

“While celebrating Bonfire Night has always been a fun thing for families to do, this year stopping the rise of Coronavirus cases in Buckinghamshire is much more important. The new lockdown measures are for a limited period only and could make a significant impact on people’s health – not just those with Covid-19, but those needing hospital treatment or surgery for other conditions such as cancer.

“We are strongly recommending that people stay home wherever possible. Coronavirus can only spread when people meet other people. By reducing social gatherings, you can help reduce the spread of the virus – and move out of restrictions as quickly as possible.”

Buckinghamshire Fire & Rescue Service (BFRS) have important safety advice for people planning to celebrate with fireworks this Bonfire Night.

BFRS Community Safety and Safeguarding Manager Joanne Cook said: “It is possible that people may choose to celebrate in their own gardens.

“In the wrong hands fireworks can cause real misery. Remember that they are explosives, and as such should be treated with respect.

“If you are thinking of having a private Bonfire Night event in your garden [only for your household or bubble], please stay safe. Buy from a licensed trader, ensuring your purchases show the CE mark. When using them follow the manufacturer’s instructions and the Firework Code.”

More information on staying safe this Bonfire Night can be found here: https://bucksfire.gov.uk/show-some-respect-this-bonfire-night

For COVID-19 safety advice for upcoming autumn/winter events, please go to: www.buckinghamshire.gov.uk/coronavirus/stay-safe-protect-bucks/autumn-winter-events-buckinghamshire-under-covid-19/seasonal-events