Somerset Campaign encourages you to ‘Think Twice’ this Summer 

Somerset County Council’s Public Health department has launched Phase 2 of its Summer Safety campaign encouraging residents and visitors to commit to keeping our county safe this summer.

The campaign, which is in partnership with Visit Somerset and Visit Exmoor, will be launched via the following website:  www.somerset.gov.uk/stay-safe

Following the easing of many Covid-19 restrictions, people are returning to a more normal way of life and this includes enjoying everything our beautiful county has to offer. However, coronavirus is still very much in circulation and our numbers are rising, so Public Health leaders at Somerset County Council are recommending visitors and residents continue to follow key advice to stay as safe as possible this Summer.  This includes:

-    Wearing a mask in crowded indoor areas
-    Continuing to test regularly 
-    Continuing to keep distance from others
-    Getting a PCR test if showing Covid-19 symptoms 
-    Self-isolating as required by the latest guidelines 
-    Taking up the offer to get vaccinated 

The Council will be encouraging everyone to support their messaging and the campaign by posting on their social media channels with the hashtag #SomersetInItTogether. In return, they are offering free entry into their competition to win Love2shop vouchers.

The dedicated webpage will allow local business and community settings to download or request to be posted, promotional material which can be displayed in their settings to help promote and show support for the campaign.  The site also includes key information and guidance for hospitality settings and visitors alike to help them to stay safe whilst they enjoy their stay.

The aim of the campaign is to empower residents and visitors whilst encouraging them to keep up all the great work as we move towards living safely with Covid-19. 

Professor Trudi Grant, Director of Public Health for Somerset, said: “We welcome visitors to Somerset and encourage them and our local communities to remain vigilant and continue to be socially responsible and follow our simple Covid guidance and advice.

“We do want everyone to be able to enjoy the rest of the summer but, in light of the rise in cases we are seeing in cases locally and nationally, we must do this safely”.

John Turner, Chief Executive of Visit Somerset, said: “When we welcome visitors to the county of Somerset we want to make sure that they are all reassured and feel genuinely supported – we are delighted to be working with Public Health Somerset in supporting this vital communications campaign at this”

Emma Thomasson, Chief Executive of Visit Exmoor, said: “All of our area businesses have been working hard to deliver a warm Exmoor Welcome to visitors so far this summer. We want our visitors and communities to safely enjoy everything our area has to offer and take away memories of their wonderful Exmoor experience.

This Somerset County Council Public Health campaign supports us all in communicating our message to visitors to continue following safe practices enables our visitor economy businesses to communicate this to their visitors and provides related clarification and helpful information”.