Scarborough borough residents warned to be vigilant as infection rate remains high in rural villages

While the borough’s overall infection rate is falling the rates in and around the villages of Danby, Castleton, Staithes and Glaisdale are still high.

Although household mixing at Christmas and New Year and the knock on effect of that spread during the first two weeks of January is thought to be the main factor, Scarborough Council says there is also concern about the links the villages have – for essential shopping and work – with neighbouring Hambleton district and the Redcar and Cleveland area where there is evidence of high levels of the new, more transmissible variant of Covid-19.

In a joint message for local residents, the council’s ward councillors for Danby and Mulgrave, Clive Pearson and Marion Watson, said: “At the moment, the new variant is less virulent and less widespread in the borough of Scarborough, although this situation is changing and we must all act as if it is present in every community.

“However, some of the neighbouring areas, where residents shop and work, have higher levels of the new variant.

“By rigidly sticking to the lockdown rules you can help to prevent spreading it into our part of North Yorkshire.

“Please help to protect your rural community by staying at home and being extra vigilant when you have to leave your home for essential purposes.”

People are urged to shop locally for essentials and arrange home delivery where possible.

Anyone having to travel into Hambleton or Redcar and Cleveland for essential shopping should keep trips to a minimum, try to shop at quieter times and return home as soon as possible.

Scarborough Council is working with its partners, including North Yorkshire County Council and North Yorkshire Police, to encourage people from outside the area to stay at home and not travel to beauty spots and rural areas.

Anyone with any concerns of Covid breaches, should report them to the police by calling 101.