Croydon residents taking part in public events to remember George Floyd are being urged to continue following social distancing and hygiene measures to keep safe from Covid-19.
Acts of remembrance, solidarity and protest have been held around the world since the 46-year-old African-American died at the hands of a white policeman in Minneapolis on 25 May.
In Croydon, hundreds of people gathered outside the town hall on Thursday to remember Mr Floyd, with other commemorations happening across London this week, including in Hyde Park.
With these events attracting hundreds of people, Rachel Flowers, Croydon’s director of public health, is urging Croydon residents to continue to take precautions to prevent the spread of Covid-19 while restrictions remain in place. These measures include:
• Keep to the social distance guidelines of two metres from people you do not live with
• If you live with someone with a health condition that makes them vulnerable to Covid-19, consider how you will keep them safe
• Wash your hands with soap and water before you leave home
• Take hand sanitiser with you and wash your hands regularly
• Avoid public transport – walk or cycle if you can
• If you do use public transport, there is now a requirement to wear a face covering
• Wash your hands after you touch your face covering
• Do not share your face covering
• When you cough or sneeze, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve, not your hand
• Take a sealable clear plastic bag to put your tissues into if there are no bins where you are
• As soon as you get home, wash your hands for at least 20 seconds
• Stay at home and get tested if you are displaying symptoms of Covid-19 (a new cough, fever or change in your sense of taste or smell)
Rachel Flowers said: “It is completely understandable and natural that people should want to honour George Floyd, deplore his killing and stand with the Black Lives Matter movement to highlight social injustices.
“At the same time, we are still in the middle of a dangerous pandemic, so I urge everyone to take precautions so we all keep as safe as possible from the real risk of Covid-19 spreading, especially in large groups.”
