Posted on Tuesday 24th March 2020
Staffordshire residents are being called upon to work together to support the NHS and each other.
The people of Staffordshire must work together to support the NHS and help each other to survive the crisis facing the UK.
Philip Atkins, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:
Doctors, nurses, police officers and council staff helping deliver critical services must face the risk of Coronavirus infection every day, but most people do have a choice, and now is the time to make the right choice for you, your family and your community.
The NHS is at tipping point, but we have the opportunity to save many lives by staying at home from now on.”
With immediate effect, people can only leave their homes for the following reasons:
- Shopping for basic necessities, as seldom as possible;
- One form of exercise per day – for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household;
- For medical needs, including to provide care or help a vulnerable person;
- Travelling to and from work, but only where absolutely necessary and when the work cannot be done from home.
If you are based at home then there is still much you can do in your local community.
Staffordshire County Council’s Coronavirus Kindness campaign offers ideas how communities can organise at a grassroots level to provide vulnerable people with practical support at home, including by collecting medicines, connecting safely with people living alone and supporting existing local voluntary groups.
More information is available at www.staffordshire.gov.uk/coronaviruskindness .
Philip Atkins, Leader of Staffordshire County Council, said:
We are working round the clock to try and keep people safe and we need everyone to work together for the common good.
Over the coming days we will be calling on those with experience of care, the healthy and fit and our own staff to step up if they can.
If you want to volunteer and help us care on the front line then your children and grandchildren will thank you for the part you played when it mattered most.”
Also, in light of the Prime Minister’s statement, Staffordshire County Council’s 14 Household Waste Recycling Centres have closed from 9am this morning.
The sites will be maintained and the county council will be working with district and borough councils to make best use of the sites to support essential services. The public is asked not to come to the sites until further notice.
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