Find information about community support and our services during the coronavirus pandemic, on our information for residents pages, our information for businesses pages, and our community support hub page which has guidance to help coordinate community organisations.
See a summary of our Local Outbreak Control Plan and read our frequently asked questions.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Information for residents about the coronavirus pandemic
Like all councils we want to support our local communities as much as possible during the current coronavirus pandemic.
We're updating our website with guidance and updates for residents and businesses - sharing national advice and updating you on any council services which are affected.
As of Tuesday, 5 January 2021, England moved to a National Lockdown, a strengthened alert level system for Coronavirus (COVID-19).
West Berkshire's current alert level is: NATIONAL LOCKDOWN - STAY AT HOME
Around 1 in 3 people with Covid-19 have no symptoms, so will be spreading the virus without realising. To protect each other and our hospital capacity, 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, which 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. Primary schools, secondary schools and colleges across England must move to remote learning until February half term, apart from vulnerable children and children of key workers. Alternatives to summer exams will also be sought by OFQUAL. Everyone will still be able to access early year settings, including nurseries. While schools are closed, children who receive free schools meals will still receive them.
If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.
If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, shielding now resumes. This means you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work. The government will be sending you a letter with further information about shielding.
There is also additional advice for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus and households with a possible or confirmed coronavirus infection.
We must all stick to the rules and follow the guidance set out by the Government.
The law will be updated to reflect these new rules. The relevant authorities, including the police, will have powers to enforce the law - including through fines and dispersing gatherings.
We must all continue to follow the guidance around HANDS + FACE + SPACE in order to keep West Berkshire open and save lives. You must self-isolate and request a test if you are suffering any COVID-19 symptoms and also self-isolate if you are instructed to do so by the NHS Test and Trace service or a clinician.
You can find further information on the local restrictions on what you can and cannot do in the National Lockdown Stay at Home Alert on the Government website.
We have separate sections for:
Our Local Outbreak Control Plan
Weeknotes - Updates from the Leader and Chief Executive of the council
Community Support Hub
Anyone who needs support with food, finance, help to self-isolate or any other support, should get in contact with the Community Support Hub on: 01635 503579, by email: westberksbct@westberks.gov.uk or you can ask for help from our Community Support Hub service online.
The Community Support Hub is open during office hours; call between 8:30am and 5:00pm Monday to Thursday, or between 8:30am and 4:30pm on Friday. For out of hours emergencies, please contact 01635 42161.
Keep in touch with us on Facebook and Twitter, or visit the Newbury Weekly News website for community updates.
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