July 31: Coronavirus (Covid-19) update from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

We continue to provide weekly updates on the last working day of the week and our main focus is on keeping you informed of changes to services.

Of course, should there be any urgent or significant news to communicate in the meantime we will do this via the Council's news pages and social media channels.

There are no changes to services to update you on this week but there are some things I'm keen to remind people of.

Business grants

Applications for phase 3 of the extended local business grants fund scheme close on Sunday (August 2).

The extended scheme includes some small manufacturing businesses, regular market traders, and some additional businesses eligible for Expanded Retail Discount.

Businesses that were eligible for previous phases of the local business grants fund scheme can still apply if they have not done so already.

The Government has announced that business grants fund schemes will close on Friday, August 28, so I would strongly urge any eligible business that has not yet applied to do so quickly to avoid missing out.

Care homes

We have worked closely with care homes in the Borough to produce some guidance around visiting arrangements.

The guidance states that if a care home has had one or more confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the last 28 days, it should not allow access to any non-essential visitors, and has now been issued to all care homes in the Borough.

Help for the vulnerable and elderly

Vulnerable and elderly residents can continue to get help from the 'COVID Community Support Team', a partnership between the Council, Catalyst and the Borough's brilliant VCSE organisations. The team is only an email or phone call away and can help with food deliveries, shopping and picking up prescriptions, or making sure people who are self-isolating and may be worried or lonely get the right support they need.

The team operates Monday to Friday and phone lines are open 9am to 2pm. You can email covidcommunitysupport@catalyststockton.org for assistance or call 01642 524500.

SIRF at Home

We're still having SIRF this year, just not as we know it.

'SIRF at Home' is now under way - it's a virtual event and you can enjoy all it has to offer through its Facebook, Twitter and Instagram feeds.

There are too many highlights to list there but look out for the virtual community carnival tomorrow at 12noon!

Stay safe

I'm sure you'll have seen the news about lockdown restrictions around the country in the last 24 hours.

While our rates are low, it remains vitally important that everyone sticks to social distancing to keep us all safe.

It's crucial we respect the rules that are in place to minimise the risk of the virus spreading.

Things like social distancing, wearing face coverings and hand washing only work effectively as a preventative measure when all of us follow the guidance.

I urge you all to play your part and help us be in a stronger position in our fight against COVID-19.

Protecting each other, and particularly our most vulnerable residents, is still of paramount importance.

Keep informed

Remember, you can keep up with all Coronavirus (COVID-19) related developments in the Borough, including details of the range of support available, via our webpage Stockton Borough Council.