There will be a phased reopening of most of Surrey’s community recycling centres (CRC) from Monday 11 May. To make sure that each facility can operate in line with Public Health England guidelines, and to protect the safety of our staff and our residents, there will be restrictions in place.
However, there are limits to the numbers of people on each site, changes to what materials are accepted and revised opening hours. Due to the fewer numbers of people who can safely be on site and the impact of potential queuing on surrounding roads, our smaller sites in Bagshot, Caterham, Cranleigh, Dorking and Warlingham will remain closed.
Residents should only use the CRCs if they absolutely need to, and must check for the latest information before they travel at surreycc.gov.uk/recycling or by calling 03456 009 009 as these arrangements are subject to change.
As outlined in DEFRA guidance, journeys to waste sites are only allowed under the lockdown restrictions if the waste materials cannot be stored at home without causing risk of injury or harm to health. Please see the Government’s guidance about essential travel (GOV.UK)
As you will be aware, there has been a significant focus on COVID-19 swab testing in line with national guidance. This has been developing and progressing swiftly at a local level and in response to the guidance and the requirement to expand the testing capability quickly, a core group of system partners from Health and Care Partners has been set up. This group will co-ordinate the delivery of coronavirus testing to all eligible people across Surrey.
CURRENT STATUS
The team is working hard to review and target priority areas first, with a view on using all the options available to build resource to meet the demand. The council is aware that this approach needs to be urgently stepped up and will be updating you as we continue to develop plans for achieving this target.
Who is eligible for a test?
Essential workers living or working in Surrey, who are self-isolating either because they have symptoms or someone in their household has symptoms, are eligible to register with Surrey’s testing hub.
Essential workers are those outlined in the Government’s list of essential workers prioritised for testing. We continue to expand our testing capacity to include new groups as part of the Government’s phased approach.
We are building up the testing capacity to ensure that all care home residents and staff with symptoms are being tested. This will be rolled out shortly to include all care home residents and staff, regardless of whether they have symptoms or not.
NEXT STEPS
The safety of residents and patients is our priority and we are working at pace to ensure we can meet the local need. We will update on progress. In the meantime if you have any specific comments or queries, please do email – surreycovidtesting@surreycc.gov.uk
Online community support group Haslemere Help reaches over 300 volunteers, as they continue to support those who are self-isolating or vulnerable in the local area during the Covid-19 outbreak
Collaborating with Surrey County Councillor Nikki Barton and Town Council staff, and with Mayor John Robini even manning the phone lines, the group are helping with essential tasks such as shopping for provisions
The group also offers a prescription pick-up and delivery service from all local pharmacies, including a special collaboration with the Haslemere Health Centre
If you or a relative are in need of any help in these tricky times, please contact 07873 383954 or email haslemerehelp@gmail.com
Community Covid-19 support group Haslemere Help has reached over 300 volunteers.
In a
bid to help local residents, the group collected the names of those willing to
provide volunteering support for their neighbours, and since then these
volunteers have been successfully performing tasks such as shopping for
essentials and delivering prescriptions.
A founding volunteer, Narn, said: ‘When the call went
out for volunteer help, we knew many in Haslemere would step forward. Haslemere
is a community which has always had a volunteering ethos.
‘I am
full of admiration for those who have volunteered and, whilst I would have
expected nothing less, it is still overwhelming to see the kindness and
consideration from those contributing voluntarily.
‘We have fielded 100s of phone calls to our helpline which is being
manned by John Robini, our town mayor, 100s of Facebook messages and
innumerable e-mails all needing help with prescriptions, shopping and an ear to
listen and have a friendly chat. Our volunteers have also picked up
wheelchairs, delivered flowers, collected plastic surgical boots and delivered
hearing aid batteries. ‘
Surrey County Councillor, Nikki Barton, has actively supported Haslemere Help and worked to streamline the Haslemere Health Centre’s prescription delivery service using the group’s volunteers. Councillor Barton told us: ‘The queues at the health centre are often long, putting great pressure on the pharmacy team. We have arranged that you can now call 07873 383954 or alternatively you can make contact by e-mail haslemerehelp@gmail.com with your prescription pick up request. Patient contact and delivery details are all that is needed. Haslemere Help will not keep any of your personal details and any collections will be treated in confidence. “
On Twitter, Haslemere resident, Miles Weston who is currently self-isolating at home has received invaluable neighbour support. He wrote: ‘This is what community-minded, unnamed people in Haslemere are doing for their neighbours. We know them, we love them for what they are doing and we admire them for not being on the lookout for public recognition. They are not bragging – they are just doing it for Haslemere.”
Haslemere Mayor, John Robini said: ‘The volunteers’ efforts and commitment, together with all those employed in delivering crucial services at this time, should lift our spirits and give us all encouragement during what is, undoubtedly, a troubling and challenging time for our town. The town council staff have also provided invaluable telephone and administrative support.’
Individuals and community groups throughout Haslemere looking to provide volunteering support during Covid-19 can still register and are encouraged to complete a Volunteer Registration Form. Residents who need help with shopping, prescription pickups or other services should call the Haslemere Help service on 07873 383954. Enquiries can also be channelled to haslemerehelp@gmail.com and through their dedicated Facebook page www.facebook.com/haslemerehelp.
This evening, the BBC reported a patient at Haslemere Health Centre (which has been closed for “deep cleaning” since this morning) is the first to be reported to be infected with the coronavirus in the UK. BBC article here.
Surrey County Council is continuing to work together with partners including Public Health England (PHE) across Surrey and the UK to monitor and ensure preparedness for the Coronavirus outbreak.
Dr Alison Barnett, Centre Director, Public Health England South East,
said:
“Public Health England is
contacting people who had close contact with confirmed cases of COVID-19. One
of the latest cases is a resident of Surrey and we’re
working closely with NHS colleagues in that area as well as Surrey County
Council to manage the situation and help reduce the risk of further cases.
“Close
contacts will be given health advice about symptoms and emergency contact
details to use if they become unwell in the 14 days after contact with the
confirmed case. This tried and tested method will ensure we are able to
minimise any risk to them and the wider public.”
Interim Director of Public
Health for Surrey County Council Ruth Hutchinson said:
“Surrey County Council is working with health colleagues to do
everything we can to stop the virus spreading and ensure the people of Surrey
are protected.
“Good hygiene is the best prevention and there are some simple steps you
can take to protect you and your family by washing your hands regularly and
thoroughly and if you cough, cover your mouth and nose with a tissue.
“If you have recently been to one of the affected countries and are feeling unwell, you should phone the NHS 111 helpline for further advice straight away – please don’t go to your doctor or a hospital. There’s lots of advice on how people can protect themselves online at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus”
Notes to Editors
Surrey County Council, PHE and the NHS are well
prepared to deal with coronavirus. Our priority is to safeguard local
communities which sometimes involves taking preventative measures to help
reduce the risk of further cases.
We cannot comment further on individual cases due
to patient confidentiality.
