Funerals and wedding numbers undecided

Sunderland City Council has set out its plans for continuing to deliver services safely following yesterday's move to step 4 of the Government roadmap.

The council says it will be maintaining existing arrangements for all public buildings, and will carry out risk assessments in relation to numbers for weddings and funeralsGerry Taylor, its Executive Director of Public Health and Integrated Commissioning, said: “The safety of our residents and staff remains our top priority as we move to step 4 of the roadmap where we must all learn to live as safely as possible alongside the virus.

“In line with this approach we will continue with our Covid secure arrangements including expecting visitors to continue to wear face coverings and keeping our distance when visiting council premises after July 19 because we know thatthis,togetherwiththings like washing our hands, ventilating rooms and meeting outsidewherepossible,helps to protect others.

"Withsomeofthehighest infection rates we have ever seen across the city, we are asking people to keep on doing the things that they have been doing so well for the last year to help us keep our residents and our staff safe and help us to continue delivering the front-line services."

The council is also asking stafftocontinuetoworkfrom home where possible.

Those who do have to come into the workplace are being asked to continue wearing face coverings, Sociallydistance,anduseCovid related PPE where appropriateVisit www.sunderland. gov.uk/coronavirus for full details.