Council urges people to keep playing their part during national lockdown

Wiltshire Council is urging residents to adhere to the latest COVID-19 restrictions, following confirmation from Government that national lockdown measures are now in place.  

The restrictions outlined include:

• People must not leave their home except where they have a ‘reasonable excuse’ which includes work (if you cannot work from home), volunteering, visiting shops, educations and childcare, visiting people in support and childcare bubble, exercise (once a day), medical reason, harm and compassionate visit, animal welfare reasons, communal worship and life events
• It is against the law to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of a household bubble
• Weddings can only take place in exceptional circumstances and only for six people. Funerals can take place for a maximum of 30 people. Wakes and other linked ceremonial events can continue in a group of up to six people. For more information people should call 0300 003 4570 or email ceremonies@Wiltshire.gov.uk
• Schools and colleges are to close to the majority of children and young people and will provide remote learning until at least February half-term
• Nurseries can remain open
• Everyone who can work from home, should do so
• Non-essential retail must close
• Hospitality venues such as cafes, restaurants, pubs, bars and social clubs; with the exception of providing food and non-alcoholic drinks for takeaway (until 11pm), click-and-collect and drive-through
• Accommodation venues must close
• Leisure centres will temporarily close (a range of resources can be found at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/leisure-active-communities)  
• Market stalls selling essential retail may stay open
• Some Libraries will be opening to provide an order and collect service and also access to some digital services (more information on this in due course)
• The Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre is closed to the public. Any enquiries can be sent toheritageadmin@wiltshire.gov.uk . Customers can go to the website at www.wshc.org.uk to find out about our online resources and for further information.
• Household recycling centres remain open. People can book a slot at https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/household-recycling-centres-book
• Those identified as clinically extremely vulnerable must shield – a letter will be sent to them from the Government shortly

The full guidance can be found at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home. 

Wiltshire Council will be hosting an online COVID-19 public update on Wednesday 6 January at 7pm where council Chief Executive Terence Herbert; Leader Philip Whitehead; and Director of Public Health for Wiltshire, Kate Blackburn, will be talking people through the new restrictions and the support available. People can access the online meeting at this link https://bit.ly/2JL8uMl. A recording of the meeting will be available on the Wiltshire Council YouTube page as soon as possible afterwards.

COVID-19 cases have increased considerably in the last few weeks and have more than tripled since 7 December, with the latest figures showing more than 1,200 new cases in the last seven days with a case rate of 245.2 per 100,000 people.

People are urged to keep socially distancing if they need to leave the house, wear a face covering where required, regularly wash hands for 20 seconds, book a test immediately if they have any COVID-19 symptoms, and self-isolate when required to do so. 

Cllr Philip Whitehead, leader of Wiltshire Council said: “This is clearly very serious, and we all have a responsibility to make the right choices and adhere to the rules – it’s never been more vital.

“Just as they are nationally, local COVID-19 case numbers are increasing significantly and whilst cases in Wiltshire remain below the national average, the recent increase presents a worrying trend which must be addressed. We know this lockdown will be tough for individuals and businesses, but with people getting vaccinated every day, we have to hope that better days are not for away. In the meantime, we need everyone to keep going and look out for each other and our health services. We know so much has been asked of people already, and we don’t take their support for granted.

“As we have done throughout the pandemic, we’ll provide any support we are able to.” 

Wiltshire Council’s Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub remains in place for those people who may need additional support. The hub was originally set up at the start of the pandemic in March 2020. Anyone can access the hub who may be struggling during this difficult time or don’t have a support network around them, such as those who are self-isolating, or those who have been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable and asked to shield. People can call the hub on 0300 003 4576 or email wellbeinghub@wiltshire.gov.uk. 

For up to date information, people should visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/public-health-coronavirus.