“See in the New Year safely” – Welsh Ambulance Service urges public to see in the New Year safely at home

The Welsh Ambulance Service is urging the public to see in the New Year safely at home.

The Trust is asking the public to keep their community safe by not venturing outside their household or support bubble and risk spreading or contracting the virus.

With Wales in a full Alert Level 4 Lockdown people are unable to meet with other households either outdoors or indoors expect for some limited circumstances. These include adults living alone or in a household with a single responsible adult, who are able form a support bubble with one other household – and those undertaking caring responsibilities or on compassionate grounds.

The Trust says that with mass vaccination set to take place in 2021, now is a “critical time”.

Director of Operations for the Welsh Ambulance Service, Lee Brooks, said: “We would ask the public to please only leave your home for the essential reasons as set out in alert level 4.

“The entire healthcare sector is currently under extreme pressure and we strongly urge you to keep 999 and hospital emergency services free for only the most serious injuries and illnesses.

“You can do this by not taking any unnecessary risks around the home, only consuming alcohol moderately and of course not hosting or attending any gatherings.

“Please heed the Welsh Government’s advice to keep Wales safe and remember, ‘No party is worth the risk’.

“We would like to thank all our staff working tonight who, of course, wish for a very different New Year’s Eve.”

Whilst celebrating from home, the Trust is also urging people to take extra care if using fireworks.

Not only do they present a risk of burns injuries, smoke from fireworks can aggravate respiratory conditions such as asthma.

The Trust says that “people with asthma are at a higher risk of getting very sick from Coronavirus which highlights the double medical risk from meeting with others not in your household.”

Speaking of demand on the Trust, Regional Utilisation Manager Gill Pleming said: “Traditionally, tonight is one of our pinch points, and last New Year’s Eve alone we received 946 emergency calls.

“We would appeal to people to help us drive this figure down.

“Should you find yourself requiring non-urgent medical advice, the NHS Wales 111 online service is available at https://111.wales.nhs.uk/.

“But, in the case of a genuine life-threatening injury or illness we are still here for you on 999.”

More information on the Alert Level Four restrictions and what they include can be found here.