Official information on Coronavirus (Covid-19)

We will keep this page updated with the latest information during the outbreak. Information applies until further notice.

National lockdown NEW
Covid-19 cases in Worcestershire
Get support
Services affected
Up to date wider information

National lockdown

HM Government has announced a 4-step plan to ease lockdown in England.

Current lockdown restrictions remain in place until March 8, when:

Schools can reopen,
Outdoor recreation can be allowed, on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble, and
Indoor visits to care homes can start again for a single named visitor.

For more information see the Government's main gov.uk/coronavirus page.

Here is full information on the current lockdown from HM Government, and a poster summarising the information.

Lockdown poster

Covid-19 cases in Worcestershire

Worcestershire County Council has produced a Covid-19 dashboard of up to date case information where you can see the number of cases of Covid-19 at a county, district, and local level. The County Council is our local public health authority.

Support

Here2Help

Here2Help is a community action response to Coronavirus (Covid-19), designed for for vulnerable people in our community who have to self-isolate and are unable to seek help from family, friends and neighbours. Press here to visit the Here2Help website.

All local support

Measures are being developed to support people through Covid-19. We will list them here as they become available.

Area (press to sort)	Support
Health	Get a test, or a rapid test if you haven't got symptoms
Isolating	Community help including while self-isolating: Here2Help and more
Health	Contact tracing calls from Worcestershire Regulatory Services will come from 01562 738000
Health	Support for anyone struggling with their mental health and wellbeing
Business	Reopening High Streets Safely
Business	Financial help for business and self-employed
Money	Rent and financial advice for our council tenants
Money	Problems paying your Council Tax?
Business	Re-opening businesses risk assessments and support
Isolating	Get coronavirus support as an extremely vulnerable person
Money	Coronavirus and claiming benefits, including Test and Trace support payments
Isolating	Domestic abuse support
Business	Relaxed enforcement of business delivery hours
Money	Energy & heating support
Report	Report suspected breach of Covid-19 business regulations
Transport	Car sharing: Safer transport guidance for transport operators and organisations including taxis

Services affected

Here are the current effects of Coronavirus (Covid-19) on our services.

Area (press to sort)	Update
Waste	Bin collections may be later in the day than usual. To ensure that key waste services for the public health are maintained we have had to free up resources from other services, which is affecting bulky waste collections.
Children	Starting Well Family Hubs have temporary opening times for vitamin sales, and advice is available by telephone only.
Council	The Town Hall is closed to the public.
Lifeline	Extra safety measures are in place and special contactless installations are now available as we remain staffed and ready to assist 24/7.
Bereavement	Up to 30 people can now attend funerals at Redditch Crematorium, which is closed except for burials and funerals.
Leisure	Leisure - Sports and activity sessions delivered by our teams are being reintroduced gradually
Homes	All choice-based letting is suspended except in very exceptional circumstances.
Homes	We are only carrying out emergency works only.
Homes	All services including for homelessness are available by telephone only.
Leisure	Please refer to Rubicon Leisure for the latest information on our leisure venues.
Leisure	Advice on using allotments at this time has been issued.
Planning	Planning Committee is taking place using a virtual format and will be viewable via a live stream.
Planning	Temporary arrangements are in place for some of our Planning services including the householder planning service, paper submissions, site visits and requests for the relaxation of conditions limiting hours of work on construction sites.
Learning	Learningonline sessions are suspended. Current learners are being supported remotely.
Building	Decisions on whether to carry out visits under Building Control inspection arrangements are being made on a case by case basis.

Up to date wider information

LOCAL: Worcestershire County Council - Coronavirus	LOCAL: Redditch Partnership information
NATIONAL: UK Government response to Coronavirus