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Oct 2020

Last Updated: 26/10/2020

Community

Don't hold Bonfire parties at home, urge public health bosses

by Calvin Robinson

| 26 Oct, 2020

North Yorkshire public health officials have urged people not to hold Bonfire Night events at home this year in order to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

People in North Yorkshire have been urged not to hold Bonfire Night parties at home this year.

Officials from North Yorkshire Local Resilience Forum, a partnership of organisations that respond to emergencies, have made the plea and called for residents to consider alternative plans.

The group has published guidance for event organisers, including villages and parish bodies, who may want to hold an event this year.

It comes as events such as the annual Stray bonfire have been cancelled due to coronavirus.

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Dr Lincoln Sargaent, director of public health for North Yorkshire, said the forum would “strongly discourage” people from holding events in their gardens.

He said:

“The collective effort of people in North Yorkshire has meant that previously surging infection rates appear to be slowing recently and local outbreaks are being managed. This is excellent work and reflects the significant efforts being made individually and as communities; but we are not out of the woods.

“We need people to remain vigilant and follow the rules on social distancing, hand washing, use of face coverings and limiting the number of people with whom they socialise that apply where they live.

“For Bonfire Night, we would strongly discourage people from holding events in their gardens. Instead, they should look for well-organised events that are covid-secure or consider alternatives to enjoy the night in a safe way.

“We know that the most difficult area for us to tackle is the spread of infection within households and through social interactions, as that is responsible for the majority of the spread of the virus in North Yorkshire.”

Public health bosses in the county have said previously that the may cause of spread of covid is between households.

Dr Sargaent said there had been “very, very few” cases of outbreaks in the hospitality sector.

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Don't hold Bonfire parties at home, urge public health bosses

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