Cornwall Council has urged those heading to a popular Cornish surf-side festival to take precautions and be safe.

Revellers heading for the Boardmasters Festival in Newquay will be required to test before and during the five-day event as part of Covid safety measures being put in place by event organisers.

As cases continue to rise in Newquay, Cornwall and elsewhere in the UK, festival-goers who haven’t already been vaccinated are being urged to get their jab as soon as possible and follow the basics during their stay.

The music and surfing event is due to take place in and around the resort from August 11-15 and is expected to attract tens of thousands of people.

Cornwall Council’s public health team is reminding attendees that: "You should take regular Lateral Flow Tests in the lead-up to the festival and bring them with you as you’ll need to provide proof of a negative test at the event if you’re camping.

"If you test positive for Covid-19, you’ll need to self-isolate and cannot attend the festival unfortunately, that is still the law.

"Remember, if you get Covid while at the festival you will have to isolate for 10 days and that means not being able to work or see your friends.

"So do everything you can to minimise your risk of catching it!

"Wash hands regularly, keep your distance if you can, and wear a mask indoors if possible.

Parents are also being asked to make sure young people under the age of 18 know how to act responsibly and have a contingency plan to pick them up should they test positive while at the festival and be required to self-isolate.

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Rachel Wigglesworth, Director of Public Health for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said: "We know how hard it’s been over the last year missing out on holidays, festivals and gigs which is why we want everyone coming to Boardmasters to enjoy themselves and have fun.

"But with cases rising really quickly we’re asking everyone to do what they can to keep transmission of the virus as low as possible.

"This means getting your vaccine as soon as you can and using Lateral Flow Tests at least twice a week before and during the event.

"We’d also encourage you to carry on following the guidance that we know helps stop Covid from spreading – wash your hands or use sanitizer frequently, keep your distance from others where possible, and wear a mask if you can when indoors or in crowds.

"And if you feel even slightly unwell, please let the medical teams know straight away."

Cllr Andy Virr, Portfolio Holder for Adults and Public Health, added: "After a such a tough time over the past year it’s great for people’s mental wellbeing that they can now meet up and attend festivals like Boardmasters.

"All we ask is that everyone attending remembers that Covid is still out there and can spread incredibly quickly.

"The virus has the ability to disrupt your festival experience if you end up catching it and having to self-isolate so it’s in your best interest to take precautions so everyone can enjoy the experience as safely as possible."

For more information on festival safety visit www.festivalsafe.com

For all things Covid related, including the latest rules and guidance, visit: cornwall.gov.uk/coronavirus and www.gov.uk/coronavirus

For more on Boardmasters visit: boardmasters.com