Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Public access to our offices is closed until further notice. You can still access our services online.

“Our council is, first and foremost, making sure that we can continue to deliver the essential services our communities and businesses need while following advice and instructions from health bodies and Government. We are doing so using plans already developed for such eventualities so that, for example, we can redeploy staff where needed. We also of course recognise the serious impact COVID-19 is having on individuals, communities and our businesses, and are working urgently on additional measures to help ease the burdens they are already, or will be , facing. As soon as these are ready to be introduced we will of course be publicising them. This will include support  for those who are self-isolating or are vulnerable as well as other practical measures  to help our residents, businesses and local economy. We remain focused on supporting and indeed improving the health, safety and welfare of our residents and businesses now and for the future.”

Councillor John Griffiths, Leader of West Suffolk Council.

Latest updates

The Government has directed that with effect from Monday 14 September, no more than six people of any age may gather inside or outside, unless exemptions apply. Further details will be published at Gov.uk-covid-19-coronavirus-covid-19-meeting-with-others-safely-social-distancing

For more information and advice on shielding please visit: GOV.UK - Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.

• Keep two metres apart, but where this isn’t possible keep a social distance of ‘one metre plus’, this means keeping to guidelines set out by Government such as wearing a mask.
• Wash your hands frequently and wear a face mask over your mouth and nose in enclosed spaces
• More businesses can reopen including restaurants, pubs, hairdressers, libraries, museums, some leisure facilities, tourist attractions and holiday accommodation providing they follow safety guidelines. Please help them by observing COVID-19 secure guidance.

For more information visit:

• GOV.UK - Lockdown restrictions to be eased from 4 July
• GOV.UK - Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do

Medical and Government advice

• NHS - Coronavirus (COVID-19) information
• GOV.UK - Coronavirus (COVID-19)
• GOV.UK - Read more about what you can and cannot do

Helping the community

• COVID-19 Community support
• COVID-19 Landlords and tenants advice
• New National Lottery community funding available

Helping businesses

• COVID-19  support for business - Applications are open in West Suffolk for temporary pavement licences to help cafés, restaurants and pubs trade during COVID-19 and keep people safe.
• Creating safer places - West Suffolk is working with partners to help make places are safe and to support businesses as they re-open. Brandon, Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Mildenhall and  Newmarket - changes to highways and footpaths information, and new business information pack to help businesses as they re-open.

Changes to services

• Moyes's Hall Museum and West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village are open

• Leisure centres are re-opening in a phased way from 27 July 

• All of the 200 play areas that the council maintains are open. 

• Brandon, Bury St Edmunds, Clare, Haverhill, Mildenhall and Newmarket markets are all open under coronavirus safety measures including social distancing. Please use the hand sanitisers available and observe the required spacing. Several market traders continue to offer delivery services visit our West Suffolk markets website.               

• Parking controls reinstated as high streets open up to more visitors - As more people start to work in and visit town centres again, car parking charges were reinstated across West Suffolk from Monday 15 June to manage demand on spaces.
• Garden Waste Collection Service - new bin days
• COVID-19 - waste disposal advice
• Tips for reducing waste

For more information visit: COVID-19 Changes to services

Staying physically and mentally healthy

Staying safe

• What you should do: Keep a social distance of 2m from anyone not in your household bubble; wash your hands frequently for 20 seconds and clean equipment before use.

• What leisure facilities will do: adapt their facilities to allow 2m social distancing; clean equipment and surfaces frequently and provide hand sanitising and equipment cleaning facilities.

• The Suffolk Safeguarding Partnership have created a video is to raise awareness of safeguarding for children and adults at risk and tell members of the public what to do if they see something that doesn’t seem quite right. During this challenging time, it will be even harder for children and adults who are already vulnerable to tell us what is happening to them. We are all responsible for safeguarding and now more than ever it is important that we are alert to the signs of abuse and neglect. Please share this amongst your networks.

Protecting your wellbeing by staying active

During lockdown we have been encouraged to exercise for an hour a day to protect our physical and mental health. This remains part of the nation’s battle against COVID-19 and even though restrictions are being relaxed, the same free opportunities continue in West Suffolk for you to keep up your routines or add to new ones.

• Parks and open spaces
• Keep Moving Suffolk

Facilities are re-opening in phases as guidance is received and safety measures are put in place:

Open now :

• Abbey Gardens tennis courts 
• Play areas 
• Skateparks
• Leisure centres
• Local community activities. Lots goes on in groups and in spacious village halls and community centres. You can ask your neighbours what’s available at Nextdoor

COVID-19 Information and wellbeing support guide - LifeLink has compiled this guide of great resources and virtual support.

Latest news

Read our recent press releases in Latest news

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