Help keep your family and community safe

As coronavirus cases continue to rise across the country, it is worth regularly checking the government’s postcode checker to find out the latest alert level, not only locally, but for anywhere else you plan to visit. Many of you may have plans for the half-term holiday and so it is definitely worth checking this before you travel anywhere. You can find this at www.gov.uk/ coronavirus

The situation is changing rapidly and so we would urge you to keep an eye on our website – www.chichester.gov. uk/coronavirus – sign up to our email newsletter at www.chichester.gov.uk/ newsalerts and follow our social media pages to keep up to date with the latest advice.

What you can be assured of is that we are working very closely with our partners.

A huge amount of work is going on across all public services to support our communities and keep people safe – and I just would like to say thank you to all of them.

What many people don’t see is the level of work that is taking place and the hours that staff are putting in behind the scenes.

We can all support this work by playing our part by washing or sanitising our hands frequently; making sure that we wear a face covering in enclosed spaces; and making sure we keep a distance of two metres between ourselves and others.

I know that we are all fed up and exhausted by this situation, but it is vital that we follow the Government’s guidance and keep our families safe.

By working together and supporting one another, we will get through this.

I’m pleased to say that the new NHS Test and Trace walk-in test site is now operating in Northgate car park, Chichester.

Please be aware that this is available on an appointment-only basis.

The majority of the car park is open to commuters, residents and visitors as usual.

Testing is proving an effective way to contain the virus and so this facility will play an important role in keeping us safe.

Testing is available to anyone with coronavirus symptoms and you can book this by visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

If you haven’t already done so, please also consider downloading the NHS Covid-19 contact tracing app.

It’s the fastest way of knowing when you are at risk of coronavirus.

The quicker you know, the quicker you can alert your loved ones, and your community.

The more people that sign up to the app, the better we can control coronavirus.

The app also provides you with a symptom checker, which helps you to determine if you need a test.

If you do, it then gives you the option to book one.

The app is free to download from the App Store and Google Play.

On a different note, I wanted to let you know that we have been awarded a share of just over 3.1 million from the Government’s Green Home Grant.

This means that eligible homeowners in the district will be able to apply for a special grant to upgrade their homes’ energy performance.

Once we know more about how this scheme will operate we will let you know as soon as possible.

As we near the end of October and head into the half-term holidays, many families will be looking forward to organising Hallowe’en festivities.

This year we are really urging people to stay safe amid the continuing pandemic and find alternative ways to celebrate instead of the usual trick or treating or indoor parties which will increase the risk of spreading coronavirus.

There are many ways that families can still take part in all the fun, from getting creative and giving your front door a spooky makeover to holding a virtual party instead.

The Government is issuing advice on how to celebrate safely which you will be able to find at www.gov.uk