A LOCAL GP has issued a renewed appeal for people to self-isolate and follow government guidelines to stay safe.

Dr Eurig Harries, from New Quay Surgery, distributed a poster around the area begging people to stay people to stay home as the coronavirus crisis deepens.

Dr Harries, whose surgery this week received respirator masks donated by New Quay RNLI where he is a crew member and lifeboat medical adviser, fears the situation is going to get much worse – and quickly.

“This is a worrying time for us all, which is why I’m writing this at 4am, awake yet again this week in the early hours of the morning,” said Dr Harries, who has been at New Quay surgery for six years and was brought up on a farm just to the south of Cardigan.

“However, the gratitude and generosity of my patients and community keeps me going. Receiving the respirator mask from the lifeboat station has been a huge relief for me and my family as it is far superior to the paper masks we have been supplied with.

“Very soon as GPs we will be making home visits to COVID positive patients who are ill or dying and these new respirators will help keep me safe and able to continue to work.”

In his poster, Dr Harries said: “I have grave concerns regarding the behaviour of some locals and visitors in the public areas of New Quay, and tourist destinations all over the county over recent weeks

If you, as locals or as visitors, are in the fortunate position of being able to self isolate then please take every opportunity to do so and follow the guidance below to help keep you and others safe.

• if you have symptoms or are in household quarantine return home immediately and do not come to any public areas for the time specified on the NHS 111 website

• if you are self-isolating then going for a walk on the beach, pier and paths when it is quiet is acceptable but please keep your distance from others and avoid congregating on the beach, pier, beer gardens etc as this dramatically increases your risk and the risk to us all.

“For us in the NHS we will not self-isolate as we consider it our duty and our privilege to go to work to care for our patients. However, by doing so we put our own and our families health at risk.

“Very soon NHS hospitals and GP surgeries will be overwhelmed with the ill and dying. Please do not add to this burden by acting irresponsibly. Please do your part to protect your families, your community and your NHS.”