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May 2021

Last Updated: 19/05/2021

Health

Police: 'Avoid contact' after Indian variant found in North Yorkshire

by Calvin Robinson

| 19 May, 2021

Superintendent Mike Walker, who leads the police response to covid in the county, today urged people to be cautious about unnecessary contact until more is known about the Indian variant of covid.

Superintendent Mike Walker, North Yorkshire Police.

North Yorkshire Police has urged people to be wary of touching each other after it was revealed a "small number" of cases of the Indian variant of covid had been found in the county.

Louise Walker, North Yorkshire's director of public health, revealed today the variant was present in the county. It is not known if any of the infections ar ein the Harrogate district.

Superintendent Mike Walker, who is leading the force’s response to the pandemic, urged people to avoid unnecessary contact with people not in their household.

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Superintendent Walker said:

“Even though limited indoor gatherings and indoor hospitality are now allowed under step three of the roadmap, in line with the rule of six or two households restrictions, we strongly urge people to be very careful until more is known about this variant.

“Please avoid any unnecessary social contact with those who are not part of your household or support bubble, and please keep following the ‘hands, face, space and fresh air’ advice from the health experts.

“We have come a heck of a long way since the terrible peaks of this pandemic, which forced the country into three lockdowns.

“We need to tread very cautiously as we move forward and be prepared for whatever may occur over the coming weeks.”

The force revealed today it hadn't issued any fixed penalty notices for breaches of covid rules during the last week.

Superintendent Walker added that officers would only take action “against blatant breaches of the health protection regulation”.

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Police: 'Avoid contact' after Indian variant found in North Yorkshire

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