A HIGHBRIDGE business owner has expressed public health concerns about Covid spreading in warm rooms across the community.

Burnham-on-Sea & Highbridge Town Council is creating a network of warm spaces to help alleviate the cost-of-living crisis.

Last month, local groups and organisations that have suitable facilities were asked to contact the council after a rise in energy prices.

The council said its warm rooms would be welcoming and non-judgemental spaces that will offer advice and information for users. 

The Somerset Community Foundation has offered grants of up to £1,000 for voluntary organisations to help them offer warm spaces across the county.

However, a catering company owner has raised concerns about the spread of Covid in those spaces and encouraged steps to be taken to protect vulnerable people.

Fiona Cawley, who runs Jemima’s Cakes and Catering Ltd in Highbridge, says she “absolutely” supports the idea but is worried that it could have “downfalls”.

Burnham and Highbridge Weekly News: The council says each venue will have its own precautions.The council says each venue will have its own precautions. (Image: Burnham & Highbridge Weekly News)

She said: “We still have Covid, and we still have people falling ill with Covid. Somebody suggested putting people in a warm room could be a recipe for disaster.

“If somebody in there had Covid, they could spread it to a lot of other people. Most of us have had our jabs, but some people haven’t. 

“It’s an impossible situation. It’s not just old people – some younger people are also looking for company and warmth, but it’s an accident waiting to happen.

“The last thing we need is a winter where the NHS is folding up and where we have people of all ages getting ill and getting this country into a situation that we really don’t want to be getting into.”

The town council has emphasised the importance of keeping people warm and says it trusts users of the facilities to take responsibility for their health.

A spokesperson said: “Venues will have their own precautions in place as they see fit.

“As with any other public facility, there is a responsibility on users to avoid using them if they suspect they have Covid.

“The vaccination programme has enabled all of us to take advantage of public spaces with a reduced risk of severe illness.

“There is a balancing act. The health and wellbeing risks of being unable to stay warm, in the our judgement, currently outweigh the risks from Covid. 

“However, each individual will make their own choice about this balance of risks before they use these facilities. We trust our citizens to be sensible with their own health.”

For more information about the warm rooms initiative, visit burnham-highbridge-tc.gov.uk/news/council-news/public-warm-rooms.

Somerset County Council has urged eligible people to get their flu and Covid jabs as soon as possible.

The national booking service for autumn Covid boosters is now open. 

People aged 50 and over, those who are clinically vulnerable and their household, pregnant women, paid and unpaid carers and front-line health and social care workers can now book an appointment or attend a walk in clinic.