No Indian variant in Devon - but be cautious if you travel, says Director of Public Health Devon

With half term approaching for many schools in the county, Public Health Devon are advising residents to be cautious of travelling due to the spread of the Indian variant of the COVID-19 virus in some areas of England.

There are no known cases of the Indian variant in Devon at the moment, but the areas with the highest cases in the country include Bedford, Blackburn with Darwen, Bolton, Burnley, Kirklees, Leicester, London Borough of Hounslow, and North Tyneside.

Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, said: "If you must travel to any of those locations, please be extra cautious.

"Try to meet outside with family or friends rather than inside where possible, and please keep two metres apart from people that you don't live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), and this includes friends and family whom you do not live with.

"Lateral flow tests are quick and easy to do. Making them part of your regular weekly routine – especially when catching up with friends and family – will help to identify positive cases among people who may not be showing symptoms, so that they can self-isolate.

"If you are away visiting friends and family this holiday, please remember to take tests with you, and take them again on your return home.

"Testing and self-isolating if positive are how we stop the virus spreading."

For more information on how to get a lateral flow test, click here for more information.

In Exmouth, the tests are available at the Foxhole Car Park at the following times:

- Tuesday, 11am to 7pm

- Saturday, 9am to 5pm

These tests are for people with no symptoms. If you are under 16, or have symptoms associated with the virus such as a new and continuous cough, a high temperature, or a loss or change to your sense of smell, you should not turn up to get a lateral flow test.

If you have symptoms, you should get a PCR test instead.