Help will be on the doorstep today for Dacorum residents who have to self-isolate

Help will be on the doorstep today (Thurs, March 18) for hundreds of Hertfordshire residents playing their part by self-isolating.

The county’s 10 district and borough councils, supported by Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service, will have teams out and about as part of Self-Isolation Support Day.

They will be visiting homes to provide help and advice to people who must self-isolate, either having tested positive for Covid-19 or told they must do so by NHS Test and Trace.

The purpose of the focused activity today is to check on people’s health and wellbeing while they are self-isolating, and to make sure they are aware of the support available through HertsHelp, which can assist with issues such as collecting shopping and vital medical supplies as well as money and debt concerns.

HertsHelp can be reached online, by email [email protected] or by phoning 0300 123 4044, while other agencies are also on hand to help anyone self-isolating, such as the Hertfordshire Domestic Abuse Helpline on 08 088 088 088 and Drug and Alcohol Recovery Services on 0800 652 3169.

Bill Buckley, Dacorum Borough Council’s Interim Assistant Director for Neighbourhood Delivery said: “Self-isolate means staying at home and for many people that can be tough.

"It’s extremely important to follow the rules otherwise you are putting others at risk of serious illness or worse. We’re urging everybody to keep playing their part.

"Our residents have been amazing in doing the right things to help to reduce transmission of COVID-19 over the last year but we must keep going so we can start to think about getting back to the types of lives we enjoyed before the pandemic.”

Jim McManus, Director of Public Health for Hertfordshire County Council, said: "We understand that self-isolating can be extremely difficult for many people, but it is absolutely vital if we are to prevent the virus from spreading and, ultimately, to save lives.

"We want to make sure everyone is aware that help, including practical advice, is available if they need it.

"We’re urging everybody to keep playing their part.

"Our residents have been amazing in doing the right things to help to reduce transmission of Covid-19 over the last year but we must keep going – if we do, we can start to think about getting back to the types of lives we enjoyed before the pandemic."