Michelin-starred chef Michael Caines MBE is backing a campaign by Visit Devon and the NHS encouraging people working in the hospitality industry to have the Covid-19 vaccination.
Michael Caines is one of the UK’s most acclaimed chefs and has two Devon hospitality businesses; Lympstone Manor contemporary country house hotel overlooking the Exe Estuary, and Mickey’s Beach Bar and Restaurant in Exmouth. Both have a number of young adult workers who have only recently become eligible for the Covid-19 vaccination.
Michael said: “As one of the sectors that have been most effected by coronavirus it is imperative that our employees get vaccinated to protect their colleagues and our guests to stop the spread of coronavirus.
“With the potential relaxation of Covid-19 restrictions it is even more so important at this crucial time for our industry to be responsive to the vaccination programme to ensure the continuing reopening of the economy, our industry and the return to normality.”
Visit Devon and the NHS locally are jointly urging people working within the hospitality industry to take up the offer of having the Covid-19 vaccination following outbreaks in other parts of the country among young people working in hospitality settings.
Visit Devon is the official Destination Management Organisation, recognised by Visit England and Visit Britain representing tourism and hospitality businesses across the Devon and promoting the county to the domestic and international markets.
Now that all adults are eligible for the vaccination and with cases of the more transmissible Delta variant rising locally, Visit Devon is advising businesses to support their staff to take up the vaccination to ensure a safe working environment and give visitors confidence during their stay in Devon, and of course the most fundamental thing is lessening the spread of the virus.
Director Sally Everton said: “The last 16 months have been incredibly tough for the hospitality industry and staffing remains a constant pressure. Our businesses can’t afford to have further closures due to Covid-19 outbreaks among staff. We urge everyone working within our local hospitality businesses to have the vaccine to protect themselves, their colleagues, their customers and the businesses themselves.
“We’re also asking employers to support their staff to have the vaccine, either by having time off for the jab itself or if they feel unwell due to side effects.”
Devon’s Primary Care Medical Director Alex Degan said: “It is really important to take up the Covid-19 vaccination to protect yourself and your loved ones and to help end lockdown restrictions. Having both doses can protect you against circulating variants including the more transmissible Delta variant. It also reduces your likelihood of developing Long Covid, which affects people of all ages.”
All adults are now eligible for the vaccine. Current advice states that people aged under 40 and pregnant women should have the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Consequently, vaccination centres in Devon are now using Pfizer or Moderna vaccines for all first doses.
Text invitations appear as an alert from ‘NHSvaccine’ and include a web link to the NHS website to reserve an appointment. People who cannot go online can call 119 to book their jab.
People attending vaccine centres are being reminded that they may have to queue, to eat beforehand, bring water and wear weather appropriate clothing.
To find your nearest vaccine centre, click here.
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