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Gibraltar Golden Hour Initiative for Over 70’s: Further Details
As of today’s date, Gibraltar has had 132 confirmed cases of covid19, with 127 recovered, zero deaths and 5 active cases of which all are at home.
During today’s Government of Gibraltar Coronavirus press briefing (22.04.2020), Minister for Housing and Equality Samantha Sacramento shed some light on the ‘Golden Hour’ initiative for over 70’s, which was announced yesterday by Chief Minister Fabian Picardo.
The ‘Golden Hour’ initiative is currently being discussed and considered within Government to allow one hour in the mornings for those who are over 70 to exercise, get some fresh air and vitamin D in the safest way possible.
Currently being considered is the implementation of designated areas whereby those over 70 will be assigned to – within close proximity to their homes – with a one-hour window per day in which those in this vulnerable category are able to go outside.
These areas will be sanitized and disinfected and overseen by the Royal Gibraltar Police to ensure that those under the age of 70 are not present.
Minister Sacramento said:
“The aim is to provide balance between the need to go out and the need to stay at home”
Although the exact date is not yet known, Minister Sacramento said that the intention is to give effect to this initiative “as soon as we can”.
The Minister also warned that although this option is available for those over 70, there is still a risk of infection, and that those wishing to take advantage of this scheme should do so sparingly.
“Because we make it available does not mean that people have to take it up, and certainly not take it up every day … our advice remains that we ask you to please stay at home … each time you leave your house, you are at risk”.
She stressed that this initiative is not a “release” of the lockdown measures and should only be taken advantage of in “exceptional circumstances”.
“There is a risk as soon as you walk out of your front door … staying at home is still the best place to be – if you are home and you are careful, you will not catch the virus.”
Sacramento also added that these golden hour windows should not be used as an “opportunity to catch up with children or grandchildren”, nor should they be used to visit “people you have not seen for a long time.”
Should anyone over 70 arrive at one of these designated areas during ‘Golden Hour’ and find it to be full, it is advised that they go home immediately. “These continue to be matters of life and death and the risk continues to be the same.”
“We cannot guarantee that our success story so far will continue indefinitely, this is a killer virus and anything could change at any moment. These continue to be matters of life and death and the risk continues to be the same.”
Gibraltar Golden Hour Initiative for Over 70’s: Further Details
