Published: Thursday 27 August 2020
This weekend is Carnival weekend and it will be the first virtual Notting Hill Carnival: Access All Areas, which will be streamed live.
With this in mind the Director of Public Health has written an open letter to residents and Carnival visitors.
Dear residents and carnivalistas
Carnival is one of the cultural highlights of the year and, like many of you, I am disappointed that it cannot take place in its usual format this weekend.
However, protecting the lives and livelihoods of our families, friends and the wider community from Coronavirus must be our number one priority – and that’s why we should all enjoy the festivities from home.
Staying at home doesn’t mean missing out – organisers have put together an exciting line up of not-to-be-missed music, arts and culture for the first-ever Digital Carnival, with four channels streaming exclusive content over the weekend.
We also need to continue to follow vital public health advice. You should be 2m apart from anyone outside your household, or if that is not possible you should wear a face covering. If you have any Coronavirus symptoms, which include:
- A high temperature
- A new, continuous cough
- A loss or change of your sense of smell or taste
You should immediately book a test by calling 119 or visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus
We’ve seen local lockdowns happening around the country and abroad as restrictions have been lifted. Leicester was in full lockdown again for nearly two months as a result of a large spike in cases and we know a number of other towns and cities are close to the point when a local lockdown could come into force. That meant people could no longer meet with others at home, most shops and offices were closed again, and people could not generally travel outside of the city.
This could happen in London, or even in our borough if people ignore the advice the Government is giving. We need you to play your part in preventing us having to go into lockdown. Don’t have house parties with more than two households, don’t go out and meet more than five other people.
Yours faithfully
Russell Styles
Director of Public Health for Kensington and Chelsea