Coronavirus Update 1st December 2020
Issued by the Communications Team – publicrelations@chichester.gov.uk
www.chichester.gov.uk/coronavirus
www.facebook.com/ChichesterDistrictCouncil
This briefing is to keep you updated on the evolving situation around coronavirus (COVID-19) and the actions being taken in the district.
Who does it affect?
- Residents and businesses within the district
- Chichester District Council staff and councillors
- Parish councils
- Community groups and charitable organisations
In this briefing
· Latest update
· Service status update
· Businesses urged to apply for grants
· New funding opportunity for local businesses
· COVID Ambassadors to assist in our High Streets
· Shop local, Visit local, Support local
· Chichester Farmers’ Markets
· Parking offers
· St Wilfrid’s Christmas tree recycling scheme
· Coronavirus related advice from Citizens’ Advice
· Chichester’s Wednesday and Saturday markets
· Census 2021 job opportunities
· Scheme to prevent loneliness
· Guidance for working safely during coronavirus
· Webinar on support for businesses affected by coronavirus
· Safer travel guidance for passengers
· Guidance for landlords, tenants
· Webinars for organisations that trade with the EU
· Share this with a friend
Latest update
The Government has set out the local restriction tier system that will be in place from 2 December, including what you can and cannot do in each tier: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know.
The Chichester District has been put in ‘Tier 2: High Alert’, which means that from 2 December, new restrictions will apply in our area. You can find all the details on this here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know. National restrictions continue to apply until 2 December.
For a list of local restrictions by area, see: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/full-list-of-local-restriction-tiers-by-area
Please remember: Hands, Face and Space; increase ventilation in enclosed spaces wherever possible; and if you have symptoms, get tested and isolate yourself from others when instructed.
You can find local coronavirus information at https://www.chichester.gov.uk/coronavirus while the very latest Government advice is available at https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
Service status update
Both the council’s leisure centres, which are run by Everyone Active, and our Novium Museum will reopen on Wednesday 2 December. The very latest update on our services can be found at http://www.chichester.gov.uk/councilservicestatus
Advice on forming a Christmas household bubble
Government has also made an announcement around some changes to social contact restrictions over the Christmas period between 23 and 27 December. To find out how households can form a ‘Christmas bubble’, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family/making-a-christmas-bubble-with-friends-and-family
Businesses urged to apply for grants
There are currently three separate business support grants available including: the council’s COVID recovery grant; the Local Restrictions Support Grant and the Additional Restrictions Support Grant. To find out more and to see if your business is eligible and to apply, please see: https://www.chichester.gov.uk/covidbusinesssupport
New funding opportunity for local businesses
Coast to Capital has announced further funding available for eligible small or medium-sized enterprises in the area. This funding aims to support businesses affected by COVID-19 and there are two funding streams: Visitor Economy (Kickstart Tourism) and Wider Economy (Restart & Recovery SME). Eligible businesses can access grants of between £1,000 – £3,000 (up to £5,000 in exceptional circumstances) for specialist advice or equipment/technology. Full applications will need to be returned with related quotes by Monday 7 December 2020 at 11:59pm. For more information, visit https://www.coast2capital.org.uk/erdf-grants?fbclid=IwAR2SQnV0dOsy7984pTGYMA3oXENZQbG0iRghqfFqfNIn0XLTGJ8EtW1Awko
COVID Ambassadors to assist in our High Streets
Using Government funding, we are employing COVID Ambassadors to help manage social distancing and to offer you reassurance when the shops reopen on Wednesday 2 December. The Ambassadors will be in place from December through to January in all of our High Streets across the district.
Shop local, Visit local, Support local
As businesses gear up to welcome customers back in person when the current restrictions end, we are encouraging everyone to play their part in supporting their local businesses by shopping locally this Christmas as part of our Countdown to Christmas campaign. Businesses have been working hard to put in place all the necessary measures to keep you safe. Don’t forget that parking incentives will also be on offer during December. Find out more at www.chichester.gov.uk/countdowntochristmas
New coronavirus social distancing signage for businesses
We have a range of coronavirus signage available on our website to help businesses. This can be downloaded from www.chichester.gov.uk/supportlocal New signage will soon be added to this to reflect the branding from our current Christmas campaign. You can also sign up for our Christmas Business Marketing pack at www.chichester.gov.uk/christmasbusinesspack
Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
The Government has updated guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from coronavirus, in line with the local restriction tier system that will be in place in England from 2 December. Find the updated guidance here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19
Local restrictions advice for businesses
If you’re a business in the district, the Government has released information about the restrictions that will be in place in our area from 2 December. We will be in ‘Tier 2: High Alert’ and you can find the details of the restrictions that have been published at: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know
We expect further guidance and legislation to be released shortly. To receive the latest local coronavirus news, sign up to our news alerts at www.chichester.gov.uk/newsalerts and follow our social media channels.
Chichester Farmers’ Market
Offering everything you need to make Christmas special, Chichester Farmers’ Market will be operating on Friday 4 and Friday 18 December. The markets will be held in Cattle Market car park in Chichester from 9am until 2pm with social distancing measures in place to help everyone shop safely. A number of stalls will also be taking orders for Christmas. Find out more at http://www.chichester.gov.uk/farmersmarket
Parking offers
Due to the coronavirus crisis, we are not running our normal park and ride this Christmas. Instead, throughout December we will be running two parking incentives to encourage you to shop locally. There will be free parking every weekend in December in our Avenue de Chartres car park in Chichester. You can also select two hours and get the third hour free in the majority of our council-owned car parks every day in December across the district when using the MiPermit app. To use MiPermit visit http://www.mipermit.com
The Novium Museum launches virtual field trips schools competition
The Novium Museum is offering 10 schools the chance to win a Roman themed virtual field trip to celebrate the launch of the its new digital learning programme. The virtual field trips have been developed in response to the challenges faced by primary schools as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, and have been made possible thanks to grant funding from Art Fund’s Respond and Reimagine programme. Find out more on the museum’s Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/TheNovium
University of Chichester research project focuses on men at high risk of social isolation
The University of Chichester study has found that men at high risk of social isolation can boost their mental health by engaging in their community. The Step by Step project aims to engage with lonely men by providing a space to learn skills and socialise using the popular Men’s Sheds concept. It’s in a bid to tackle rising rates of suicide among men in the UK and Europe. You can find out more at
St Wilfrid’s Hospice Christmas tree recycling scheme
We’ve teamed up with St Wilfrid’s Hospice again this year to offer a simple, green and charitable way to dispose of your Christmas tree. By signing up to the Christmas Tree Recycling Scheme, the hospice’s team of volunteers will collect your tree and recycle it for you from 6 to 22 January 2021, in return for a donation to the hospice. If you are not signed up to our Garden recycling service, this is a great way to ensure your tree Christmas tree is recycled whilst supporting the hospice charity.
Visit https://stwh.co.uk/christmastrees or call 01243 755184 to find out more and book your slot.
Coronavirus-related advice from Citizens Advice
If you are worried about financial issues as a result of the pandemic or need advice on other matters then Arun and Chichester Citizens Advice is there to help you find a way forward. In the last six months the charity has helped thousands of people and its trained team of volunteers and staff here to support you, online and by telephone.
To access their advice you can call 0344 477 1171 (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm), start a web chat at https://bit.ly/AdviceWebChat (Monday to Friday 9am – 5pm) or read their self-advice guide https://bit.ly/SelfAdviceGuide
2021 Census
The Office for National Statistics are preparing for next year’s Census and are currently recruiting temporary Census officer, team leader and management roles. You can find out current openings, FAQs and apply at:
Scheme to prevent loneliness
Living Letters is a project that connects people and develops intergenerational friendships to help prevent loneliness during the coronavirus pandemic. The Chickenshed charity has volunteers aged from 18-21 who want to connect with senior members of communities. If you have care homes or group settings that may benefit from this scheme to help prevent lockdown loneliness please contact Rachely@chickenshed.org.uk for more details. You can find more information at https://www.chickenshed.org.uk/living-letters-four-week-project and you can also watch a video about the scheme at https://youtu.be/g23YjdBcQ0o
Guidance for working safely during coronavirus
Guidance on working safely during coronavirus has been updated to reflect the new local restriction tier system that will be in place in England from 2 December. Find out more at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/working-safely-during-coronavirus-covid-19
Webinar on support for businesses affected by coronavirus
A new webinar aimed at supporting businesses affected by coronavirus will be taking place on selected dates in December. The webinar provides an overview of the Self-Employment Income Support Grant Extension and further support available for self-employed people. You can sign up at https://bit.ly/2V4SI10
Safer travel guidance for passengers
The Government has updated its guidance on walking, cycling, and travelling in vehicles or on public transport in line with the local restriction tier system that will be in place in England from 2 December. It has also updated guidance on safer working principles and risk assessments for transport operators and organisations, drivers, operators and owners of taxis or private hire vehicles (PHVs), in line with the new local restriction tier system. You can find out more at:
· https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers
· https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-taxis-and-phvs
Guidance for landlords and tenants
Guidance has been updated for landlords and tenants in the private and social rented sectors in line with the new local restriction tier system. You can find out more information at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-and-renting-guidance-for-landlords-tenants-and-local-authorities and https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/understanding-the-possession-action-process-guidance-for-landlords-and-tenants
Webinars for organisations that trade with the EU
If you trade with the EU then a webinar has been produced to explain what businesses need to do make sure they are ready when changes to how the UK trades with the EU take effect from 1 January 2021. You can find out more and sign up at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-if-your-business-trades-with-the-eu
Share this with a friend
As the situation around coronavirus changes, it’s important that people across our district have the most up-to-date information possible. Please encourage your friends and family to sign up to this newsletter so that we can all be prepared and play our part in the fight against the virus.