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 information 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

National lockdown: stay at home

(updated 4 January 2021)

• You must stay at home. This is the single most important action we can all take to protect the NHS and save lives.
• You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:
  • shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
  • go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
  • exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
  • meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
  • seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
  • attend education or childcare - for those eligible
• Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household or bubble.

Suffolk, like the rest of the country, is in a national lockdown due to rising infection rates of COVID-19. This means much more tighter restrictions on what you can do to stop the spread of COVID-19. This includes most pupils being schooled at home. Everyone must play their role in tackling COVID-19 and taking action to stop the spread.

• GOV.UK - National lockdown: stay at home

Helping businesses 

Businesses can find general and detailed information on how COVID may affect them as well as support available:

• COVID-19 advice and guidance for business
• As part of its 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. Please visit our COVID-19 - Business grants webpage for more details.
• Creating safer places - West Suffolk continues to work with partners to help make places as safe as possible and to support businesses. But this requires the public and businesses to follow guidelines. Brandon, Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Mildenhall and Newmarket - changes to highways and footpaths information, and business information pack to help businesses.
• GOV.UK - Work and financial support
• GOV.UK - Working safely during coronavirus (COVID-19)
• GOV.UK - National lockdown: stay at home
• 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.

Helping the community

• Home But Not Alone - Find support during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, including our emergency phoneline if you need urgent help such as getting food and medicine. Find out more: Suffolk County Council - Home But Not Alone
• The Government has brought in a payment for those on benefits or 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 if asked to do so, you must self isolate.
• KickStart -providing six-month employment placements for 16-24s on Universal Credit to assist them in gaining the skills and experience they need to succeed in the future
• COVID-19 Community support
• COVID-19 Landlords and tenants advice
• New National Lottery community funding available
• The Suffolk Support and Advice helpline is open between 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Phone: 0800 068 3131 or visit Suffolk Support and Advice Service

Changes to services

During the pandemic there may be changes to council services due to Government guidance or resourcing issues caused by COVID-19.

For more information visit: COVID-19 Changes to services

Government and medical guidance

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

Remember, Hands. Face. Space:

• hands - wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds
• face - wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet
• space - stay two metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or one metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings)

The NHS has advice on what you must do if you are showing symptoms or if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive. Please download the NHS Test and Trace app. It is vital to stick to social distancing and COVID safety rules as one in three people don't show symptoms.

For more information visit:

• NHS - Coronavirus (COVID-19) - Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19)

• NHS - Social distancing and changes to everyday life

• NHS - Self-isolation and treating coronavirus symptoms

Vaccination

A national phased programme of vaccination is taking place, which is led by the NHS. You can find out more from the NHS COVID-19 Vaccination Service  or from the Suffolk Resilience Forum at Suffolk County Council - COVID-19 vaccinations in Suffolk

Staying physically and mentally healthy

Staying safe

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

People are encouraged to exercise to protect our physical and mental health. You can continue to do unlimited exercise alone, or in a public outdoor place with your household, support bubble, or with one other person if you maintain social distancing. You should follow the guidance on meeting others safely. This remains part of the nation’s battle against COVID-19 and the same free opportunities continue in West Suffolk for you to keep up your routines or add to new ones.

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

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

Latest news

Read our recent press releases in Latest news

Find out the latest updates:

• Parks and open spaces
• Keep Moving Suffolk
• Play areas
• Skateparks are closed

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