VIDEO: Coronavirus "key messages" to tour Rotherham on screen as Millers boss Warne backs safety drive

Natalie Robinson and her family watch Millers boss Paul Warne's key Covid-19 message on screen as the truck tours Rotherham this week.

Rotherham Council and its partner organisations are using the large truck to share a short video clip of the Rotherham United manager reminding residents to follow social distancing advice, wash their hands regularly, get tested and wear face coverings - in a bid to "Keep Rotherham Open".

Today, the truck set off from Rotherham Council's Riverside House HQ, making its first stop off in Canklow.

Rother View Road resident Natalie Robinson (37, pictured with her family) came out to see the truck.

She welcomed the initative, saying: "We've been pretty much shielding throughout the whole of lockdown, so I think the truck going around now is a really good idea.

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People across the centre of Rotherham can expect to see the truck today. It moves on to the Wentworth and Dearne areas tomorrow and is due to finish off driving around Rother Valley on Wednesday.

Paul Warne said: "If we’re going to beat this virus, it’s important that we work together as a team and follow the guidelines that have been set out.”

Cllr Chris Read, leader of Rotherham Council, added: "All our local partners, the council, hospital and other health service partners, are working really hard to make sure we bring down the rate of coronavirus infection. That means everyone to has to play their part, and we want that to be as simple as possible.

“Everyone is keen to get back to a sense of normality as quickly as possible, but we cannot afford to take any chances.

"Literally thousands of people have had a coronavirus test as part of our enhanced local arrangements in the last week, but it is really essential that anyone who has symptoms, however mild they might be, or even if they just have a worry that they may have come into contact with the virus, makes sure that they get tested as soon as possible.”

Dr Richard Cullen, local GP and chair of the NHS Rotherham Clinical Commissioning Group, said everyone must continue to keep two metres apart, wash their hands often and wear face coverings in shops, on public transport and in other enclosed public spaces.

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