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.”

Cllr John Griffiths, Leader of West Suffolk Council

Latest updates

From 4 July

  • 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.
  • Two households of any size will be able to meet indoors or outside.
  • People from multiple households can meet outside in groups of up to six - but two households can meet regardless of size.
  • More businesses can reopen including restaurants, pubs, hairdressers, libraries, museums, some leisure facilities, tourist attractions and holiday accommodation providing they follow safety guidelines.

For more information visit:

From 6 July people who are shielding can

  • gather in groups of up to 6 people outdoors while maintaining social distancing
  • create a support bubble with one other household.

From 1 August, the shielding advice will relax further.

For more information visit: GOV.UK - Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 (added 23 June 2020)

Medical and Government advice

Helping the community

Helping businesses

  • COVID-19  support for business
  • Creating safer places - West Suffolk is working with partners to help make places are safe and to support businesses as they re-open. Added 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 (updated 12 June 2020)

Changes to services

  • Moyes's Hall Museum and West Stow Anglo-Saxon Village are set to reopen on Wednesday 8 July. (added 3 July 2020)

  • Play areas at our country parks are opening on Saturday 4 July. We are working as quickly as we can to complete work necessary to maintina socila distancing in all the 200 play areas the council maintains across West Suffolk. (added 3 July 2020)

  • Brandon, Bury St Edmunds, Haverhill, Mildenhall and Newmarket markets are all open under coronavirus safety measures including social distancing. Clare market returns on 18 July. 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 are to be reinstated across West Suffolk from Monday 15 June to manage demand on spaces. (added 10 June)
  • Garden Waste Collection Service - new bin days (added 21 May)
  • COVID-19 Changes to services - including use of parks and open spaces (updated 3 July 2020)
  • COVID-19 - waste disposal advice
  • Tips for reducing waste

Staying physically and mentally healthy

Staying safe

  • What you should do: Keep a social distance of 1m 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 1m 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. (added 1 June)

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.

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

Latest news

Read our recent press releases in Latest news

Last updated:

03 July 2020 3:53 PM