Political Representatives Call for Ards and North Down Residents to Renew Commitment to COVID-19 Safety Guidance.
Political leaders from Council, MLAs and MPs representing the Ards and North Down area, have come together to appeal to local residents to keep following public health advice in order to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and prevent further restrictions.
During an update meeting on Friday 9 October, political leaders recognised that we are at a critical point in terms of taking positive action to help stem the spread of the virus and agreed to a joint message calling on the community to come together to help keep our borough safe.
While figures for Ards and North Down are currently lower than many other areas, the number of positive COVID-19 cases and clusters across Northern Ireland have increased substantially in the past week (by 142% and 69% respectively).
Everyone has a critical role to play in stopping the spread of the virus and the guidance around hand washing, face coverings and social distancing is very clear. These may seem like very simple measures and some may wonder if they really make a difference – but they do; and everyone must continue to play their part to protect our loved ones and each other.
The last few months have been exceptionally difficult for communities right across the Ards and North Down borough. No one wants to see a return to tighter restrictions or a more widespread lockdown, but unless people take their personal responsibilities seriously, unfortunately that may become necessary.
Backing this initiative to fight the Covid-19 upsurge were Stephen Farry MP; Jim Shannon MP; Kellie Armstrong MLA; Alan Chambers MLA; Gordon Dunne MLA; Alex Easton MLA; Harry Harvey MLA; Michelle McIlveen MLA; Andrew Muir MLA; Mike Nesbitt MLA; Peter Weir MLA; Rachel Woods MLA; with Party Leaders of Ards and North Down Borough Council: Councillor Robert Adair (DUP), Councillor Philip Smith (UUP) and Councillor Gavin Walker (Alliance) as well as Independent Elected Member Alderman Jimmy Menagh.
Commenting on the situation, Mayor of Ards and North Down, Councillor Trevor Cummings, said: “Political representatives across Ards and North Down are deeply concerned about the increase in the number of people testing positive for COVID-19 and the consequent increases in hospital admissions.
“We are appealing to people that if they are out and about in the borough; shopping or having a bite to eat or meeting friends; that they follow all the public health advice and measures that have been put in place to enable local businesses to operate safely.
“The community in Ards and North Down has done a great job to date but now is the time for people to pull together with renewed commitment to doing everything within their power to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
“Please continue to work as a team in Ards and North Down and keep our borough as safe as possible.”
#TeamAND makes for a #SafeAND
