The slogan “Hands. Face. Space”, is being relaunched this week after the UK Government announced social gatherings of more than six people will be illegal in England from Monday due to a steep rise in coronavirus cases. But what exactly is the new coronavirus campaign all about?
People in England will no longer be able to gather in groups of more than six from Monday, September 14.
The law change will ban larger groups meeting anywhere socially indoors or outdoors.
But this will not apply to schools, workplaces or COVID-secure weddings, funerals and organised team sports.
There are several exemptions to the new rules with households and support bubbles larger than six people remaining unaffected.
The current guidance outlines that you should only meet people from outside your household in the following ways:
- You can meet in any outdoor space in a group of up to six people from different households
- Single adult households can continue to form an exclusive ‘support bubble’ with one other household
- You can also meet in a group of two households (anyone in your support bubble counts as one household), in any location in public or private, indoors or outdoors and this does not need to be the same household each time.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson is expected to speak from Downing Street later today.
Ahead of the news conference, the PM said: “We need to act now to stop the virus spreading.
“So we are simplifying and strengthening the rules on social contact – making them easier to understand and for the police to enforce.
“It is absolutely critical that people now abide by these rules and remember the basics – washing your hands, covering your face, keeping space from others, and getting a test if you have symptoms.”
DON’T MISS
BBC Breakfast viewers ‘switch off’ Matt Hancock interview [INSIGHT]
Coronavirus spikes must be taken with pinch of salt, says PROF SIKORA [EXPLAINER]
Coronavirus map LIVE: Oxford University vaccine trial suspended [MAPS]
The rule change coincides with the new Government advertising campaign entitled “Hands. Face. Space.”
The new Government public information campaign will highlight the ways in which everyone can help stop the spread of the virus by remembering to wash their hands, cover their faces and make space by social distancing.
The new slogan and advertising will run across TV, radio, print, social and digital display advertising.
It will also be run across community media channels according to the Department of Health and Social Care.
A new film will focus on the dangers of coronavirus being spread inside, explaining how the virus does not survive in the sunshine for a long time, but can linger on indoor surfaces for 24 or more.
Chief Medical Officer said: “As we approach winter and inevitably spend more time indoors, we need the public to keep following this important advice to control the spread of the virus.
“Hands. Face. Space’ emphasises important elements of the guidance we want everybody to remember: wash your hands regularly, use a face covering when social distancing is not possible and try to keep your distance from those not in your household.
“Following these simple steps could make a significant difference in reducing the transmission of Covid-19 and help protect you and your friends, colleagues and family from the virus.”
The first slogan adopted by the UK Government was “Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives”.
This was considered to be a simple and yet powerful message.
After lockdown restrictions were eased, the slogan was changed to “Stay alert, control the virus, save lives”.
This second slogan was considered to be confusing and failed to have the same impact as the first.
On social media, many Twitter users have expressed outrage at the new slogan.
One person tweeted: “Wash your hands of responsibility, cover up the facts, make excuses.”
Another added: “Just wondering when you are going to realise the reason people are rebelling against lockdown is because no one believes a word you say any more? So many uturns, so much misinformation. So many contradictions. Tell the truth!”
One social media user wrote: “Hands, Face, Space. The new government 3 word campaign! What is it with these 3 worders? Is that the limit they have made, so the spaffing haystack can remember it? What a load of b**s!”
Source: Read Full Article