Swale Borough Council Takes Action to Support Local People

Councillor Roger Truelove.

With new national restrictions in place, Swale Borough Council is taking action to help support local people and stop the spread of the coronavirus.

The council will be working with partners to monitor compliance with the new restrictions and has the power to issue fines of up to £10,000 to businesses who are breaking the rules.

People who are clinically extremely vulnerable are being advised to stay at home as much as possible, except to go outdoors for exercise or to attend essential health appointments. If people don’t already have a priority supermarket delivery slot, the council can help set one up, or work with them to find alternatives.

The Government is providing funding for business grants of up to £3,000 a month to support firms who are forced to close by the new restrictions, which the council will be running. The council is also overseeing a £3 million fund to provide further support for local businesses affected by the pandemic.

Councillor Roger Truelove, leader of the council, said:

“No-one wanted to be in this position, but we are, and now we must do all we can to get through this.

“We will continue to do all we can to help people and I am confident that if everyone works together and follows the rules, we will.

“But everyone needs to make sure they are doing all they can to stop the spread of this virus.

“The Government has indicated that these new restrictions will be followed by a return to the local alert level system.

“Before the national measures were announced, there was the real risk that the borough could have been put into a higher level, as cases were rising.

“So, if we want to keep people safe, and avoid further harm to the local economy, we simply must get the number of cases under control.

“That way, when the restrictions end, we will be able to return to less restrictions, and crucially, less risk of the virus causing further harm to local people and businesses.” 

To find out more about how the council is working during the coronavirus pandemic visit: www.swale.gov.uk/coronavirus

Swale Borough Council

Restrictions to Visiting Medway Maritime Hospital

As you will be aware, the Prime Minister announced a national lockdown from midnight on Wednesday.

Unfortunately, we have had to take the difficult decision to suspend visiting at the hospital with immediate effect, until further notice.

This includes visiting patients on the ward and attending with a relative who may be attending a routine appointment in main or speciality outpatients, including maternity.

Anyone attending for an appointment must do so alone unless they require a carer.

The only exceptional circumstances where one visitor or companion - an immediate family member or carer - will be permitted to visit/attend are listed below.

• The patient is receiving end-of-life care.

• Patients with learning disabilities.
• Patients with delirium.
• A woman in labour (who may have one birthing partner).
• A parent or appropriate adult visiting a child.

These circumstances should be discussed with the nurse or midwife in charge.

We know how worrying it can be for people unable to visit family and friends in hospital during these worrying times. Family members can keep in touch with their loved one by sending an Email with family updates, photos or drawings to: medwayft.patientexperience@nhs.net which will be passed onto the patient (please include the patient’s name and ward), and of course by calling the ward.

We fully appreciate that this is a difficult situation but we must put all the measures in place to protect our patients, staff and community and stop the spread of the virus.

We thank you for your cooperation and understanding.

Medway NHS Foundation Trust

New Adult Gym Equipment on The Recreation Ground

Upchurch Parish Council has installed six pieces of adult gym equipment on the Recreation Ground, funded by Section 106 money from the Victoria Court housing development at Kent Terrace.

However, the Parish Council cannot guarantee that using the equipment will not further the spread of Coronavirus at the moment because it will not be sanitised after each use.

When using the gym equipment, please use the following guidelines to keep you and your loved ones safe:

1. Follow current social distancing guidelines when visiting and encourage others to do the same.

2. If the exercise equipment is busy, consider coming back later.

3. Wash your hands before and after visiting. Take hand sanitiser with you and use it frequently.

4. Follow and adhere to all current government advice in addition to the above guidelines.

For more information, visit: www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Upchurch Matters

Customer Notice: Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Jenny Giles - Upchurch River Valley Golf Course

Telephone: 01634 360626

Remembrance Sunday Service at St Mary the Virgin, Upchurch - CANCELLED

It is with much regret that our service this coming Sunday has had to be cancelled under the new Covid-19 regulations.

All churches will be closed for public worship from this Thursday 5th November.

A member of our congregation will enter the church on Sunday to lay a wreath at the War Memorial and observe a two-minute silence at 11:00am.

The church will continue to open every Wednesday afternoon for private prayer.

Remembrance Sunday - 8th November 2020

“WE WILL REMEMBER THEM”

Sue Rossiter

Organist at St Mary’s

Emergency Road Closure - Sheppey Way, Bobbing

It will be necessary to close Sheppey Way, Bobbing from Friday 30th October 2020 for up to 8 days.

The road will be closed outside Red Roofs, Sheppey Way.

The alternative route is via B2006, Staplehurst Road, St Pauls St, Mill Way, Saffron Way, Grovehurst Road, B2005 and Sheppy Way.

This is to enable leaking water main repairs to be carried out by Southern Water.

Kent County Council 24hr Contact Centre:

03000 418181 (9:00am - 5:00pm)

03000 419191 (5:00pm - 9:00am)

For details of roadworks see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste