Milton Keynes residents urged to follow restrictions to stop Covid-19 spread over the Christmas period

Health bosses are urge Milton Keynes residents to play their part and abide by Tier 4 restrictions over the Christmas period.

The restrictions mean residents in the city must stay at home, apart from limited exceptions.

People cannot meet indoors with people from other households, including over the Christmas and new year period, unless they are part of a support bubble - you cannot form a Christmas bubble in Tier 4. Outdoors, people can only meet one person from another household in a public space.

And the call to follow the rules comes as Milton Keynes has suffered a steep rise in new Covid-19 cases and hospital admissions.

Dr Nicola Smith, clinical chair for NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Clinical Commissioning Groups said: "The increase in infections is a significant cause for concern locally. We’re already seeing more patients that need urgent care as a result of Covid-19. By acting now and following the guidance, you can help reduce the spread of the virus and help keep Covid-19 hospital admissions down.”

She added: “We know that residents have made many significant sacrifices in recent times and to have restrictions in force over the Christmas period is extremely difficult for many families, but this is the best way to protect your friends, family and loved ones.”

Anyone with symptoms must immediately self-isolate for seven days and should only leave the house to access a test.

Regional and local test sites will operate on slightly reduced hours on some public holidays as well as on Christmas and New Year’s Eve but will be open as normal on other days.

To book a site test or a home test visit here or if you don’t have internet access contact the telephone call centre on 119 between 7am and 11pm.