As COVID-19 lockdown restrictions ease, with many pubs and bars reopening on Saturday July 4, St John Ambulance is helping revellers stay safe while they socialise. 

‘Super Saturday’ will see teams of the health and first aid charity’s volunteers in many town and city centres, ready to help people who find themselves injured or worse for wear. 

And St John’s medical director, Dr Lynn Thomas has advice for anyone choosing to go on a night out at a time when the coronavirus pandemic still poses a threat to health. 

Seven steps to a safer Super Saturday: 

• Follow the Government guidelines on social distancing. Remember the guidance remains that we should stay two metres apart, only reducing to one metre-plus with additional measures in place 
• Maintain good hand hygiene to avoid spreading the virus. Make sure you wash your hands regularly; it’s a good idea to carry hand sanitizer for times when that’s not possible 
• Wear a mask or face covering on public transport, or in spaces where you can’t stay one metre or more from other people 
• Take it steady on the drinking front and make sure you stay hydrated by having water or soft drinks as well as alcohol 
• Make sure you look after each other and watch your drinks 
• Pubs and bars have worked hard to introduce measures to make sure their premises are COVID-secure, so follow the rules they have in place for your protection. 
• Last but not least, if you have any coronavirus symptoms, please stay at home. 

“If you are going out, this weekend, our advice for people is to relax and have fun, but stay alert and enjoy a safe night out,” says Dr Thomas. 

St John Ambulance is running alcohol reception centres in locations including Manchester, Birmingham and Exeter, this weekend. 

Highly trained volunteers, including healthcare professionals, will be on hand to provide first aid and essential medical support. 

“By having skilled and experienced teams in key locations across England, St John's amazing volunteers are stepping forward to keep people safe in their communities while supporting the night-time economy and our NHS,” says the charity’s ambulance and community response director, Craig Harman. 

“Being able to treat injuries and ailments on the frontline, in town and city centres helps the public enjoy a safer night out and prevents unnecessary hospital admissions at a time when the health service has its hands full. 

“This is vital work that St John Ambulance undertakes with a range of partners around the country and it’s something we will be doing more of in the future, as part of helping our country get back on its feet.” 

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, St John Ambulance is supporting hospitals, ambulance trusts, community projects and sporting events; almost 130,000 hours of patient care has been given since the beginning of April, with thousands more volunteer hours behind the scenes.