Coronavirus (COVID-19)

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

West Suffolk Council has been and continues to lead and play its part in tackling COVID-19, keeping our communities safe, supporting out businesses and delivering services during this challenging time. On this page you will find info about what the council is doing and how you can play your part as well as guidance and support for our communities and businesses.

Message from Councillor John Griffiths, Leader of West Suffolk Council

Latest updates

Suffolk will be in Tier 2: High alert from 2 December 2020 (added 26 November 2020)

Government has announced as part of a relaxation of the current COVID-19 regulations that various areas of the country have been put into one of three tiers. Currently Suffolk has been put in Tier Two. This starts from 2 December and includes a range of things communities and businesses can do and not do:

You can find out more on the Suffolk Resilience Forum news release - Current infection rates and pressure on county’s hospitals among reasons for Suffolk entering tier two restrictions.

We know the people of West Suffolk have been working hard to reduce the spread of infection which has lead to us having a low infection rate as compared across the country. Please stick with it to continue to do your bit to reduce the spread of infection which will help bring our area back down to Tier One.

The Government issued new restrictions which came into force from Thursday, 5 November

This new guidance meant some businesses had to close or others operate in other ways. The guidance can be found on the Government website:

On 31 October 2020 the Government announced funding for local authorities through the Additional Restrictions Grant, to enable them to support businesses in their local economies affected by COVID-19, in particular, those who are not eligible for grant funding under the Local Restrictions Support Grant. West Suffolk Council has now launched Phase one of its Additional Restrictions Grant scheme and the deadline for applications is 2 December.

  • Local restrictions business support grants November 2020
    As part of its national restriction measures to reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Government has announced grant funding to be paid out by councils to businesses that have, as a result, have been required by Government to close. These will be paid as one-off grants to cover a 28-day period from 5 November to 2 December 2020. 
  • GOV.UK - National restrictions in England from 5 November: find out more
  • The Government has brought in a payment for those on low incomes who have been asked by the national Test and Trace service to self-isolate. Find out more on how to claim for the Test and Trace support payments
  • Whether you meet the criteria or not set by Government, there is help available for those facing financial difficulty or needing support. The Suffolk Support and Advice Service helps people across the county access information or support relating to debt, benefits, housing or employment.  You can contact the service on 0800 068 3131 between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday or visit Suffolk Support and Advice Service

Government and medical guidance

COVID-19 case numbers are rising rapidly across the whole of the UK and in other countries. We must act now to control the spread of the virus. The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home, to protect the NHS and save lives.

When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection. That is why, from Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December, the Government is taking the following action:

  1. Requiring people to stay at home, except for specific purposes.
  2. Preventing gathering with people you do not live with, except for specific purposes.
  3. Closing certain businesses and venues.

For more information visit:

Home But Not Alone

Find support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including our emergency phoneline if you need urgent help. Find out more: Suffolk County Council - Home But Not Alone

Fraud advice

In an initiative between government and the independent charity Crimestoppers, the public can now call a new COVID Fraud Hotline (0800 587 5030) anonymously and free of charge to report suspected fraudulent activity.  The COVID Fraud Hotline is open 24/7, 365 days a year on 0800 587 5030 or fill in the simple and secure anonymous form at www.Covidfraudhotline.org

Read more on the Government scheme: New hotline launched to report COVID fraudsters

Helping the community

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

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.

Open now :

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

Last updated:

26 November 2020 2:28 PM