Swine flu - Advice for large events

With the start of the football season and a number of large scale events over the summer, it is important we all know how best to protect ourselves.

Please find below some frequently asked questions both for organisers and anyone attending a large event this summer.

Q. Will you restrict public gatherings in a widespread outbreak?

Current planning makes clear that the presumption should be that the Government is unlikely to recommend a blanket ban on public gatherings.

However, informed judgments by the event organiser and/or governing body in conjunction with the regulatory authority may become necessary at the time.

Whilst close contact with others – especially in a crowded confined space – accelerates the spread of an influenza virus, there is little direct evidence of the benefits or effects of cancelling such gatherings or events.

Individuals may benefit from reduced exposure by not attending such events, but there would be very little benefit to the overall community.

Q. How would you restrict them if you were to?

For planning purposes, the presumption should be that the Government will rely on voluntary compliance with national advice during a widespread outbreak and that it is unlikely to invoke emergency powers unless they become necessary. We would only use the powers in extremis and we do not foresee a situation where we would attempt to enforce a restriction on the movement of all symptomatic patients.

Q. What is the latest advice about social distancing? WHO seem to be suggesting not hugging and kissing when greeting people would be a good idea.

There is a section on social distancing in the National Framework (from p78) that details possible measures the Government might advise the public to adopt. Symptomatic people will certainly be advised to stay at home while ill.

There are guidelines for medical practitioners on using masks with symptomatic individuals in clinical settings, but our main focus for the wider population is on encouraging good respiratory and hand hygiene.

Q. What about football matches or other sporting events?

The Government is unlikely to recommend a blanket ban on public gatherings.

There is little direct evidence that cancelling events would have significant benefits.

We do not foresee a situation where we would attempt to enforce a restriction on the movement of all symptomatic patients.

It is for the organisers of any individual event to decide whether to cancel that event if they felt the circumstances warranted it, drawing on the advice of the local health protection unit as needed.

Q. What can I do protect myself and my family?

We would encourage people to go about their daily life as usual but also to think about what we can all do to keep the virus in check and reduce its chances of spreading.

The simple and effective steps of regular hand-washing and the "Catch it. Bin it. Kill it." advice remains important.

Everyone can reduce the risk of catching or spreading swine flu by maintaining good basic hygiene, such as always covering your nose and mouth with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, disposing of dirty tissues promptly and carefully and regularly washing your hands.

Q. If I have been ill with flu-like symptoms, how long should I stay at home?

If you do have flu like symptoms and are recovering at home, you should wait a minimum of seven days or until your symptoms stop, before going back to work.

If you do not have flu like symptoms there is no reason to stop coming to work or doing normal everyday activities.

If you, your family, friends, or patients have questions about swine flu and its symptoms, please call the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513.

For individuals who have flu-like symptoms, the advice remains exactly the same, stay at home to limit contact with others, check your symptomsat www.nhs.uk or via the Swine Flu Information Line on 0800 1 513 513, and if necessary contact the National Pandemic Flu Service at www.direct.gov.uk/pandemicflu or on 0800 1 513 100.

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