Yesterday, on the advice of the four Chief Medical Officers, the UK’s COVID alert level was raised from three to four, the second most serious stage, meaning that transmission is high or rising exponentially.
The Prime Minister has made a statement to the Commons today. This covered these main points:
Other points:
It is vital to remember the basics – washing hands, covering faces, observing social distancing – and following the rules.
Following a press conference yesterday afternoon, the government has updated its social distancing measures in relation to social gatherings amid a rise in COVID-19 cases. From Monday 14 September, it will be illegal to meet in groups of more than six people in England. This applies to gatherings outside and inside the home.
The updated measure will be enforceable by law and the police can split up larger gatherings and impose fines of up to a maximum of £3,200. This single measure replaces both the existing ban on gatherings of more than 30 and the current guidance on allowing two households to meet indoors.
COVID secure venues, such as places of worship, gyms, restaurants and other hospitality venues, can still hold more than six people in total but within these venues there must not be individual groups larger than six. Education, work settings, weddings and funerals and organised sport are unaffected by the change. More information on the new guidance can be found here.
The government also announced a stronger enforcement approach which includes the following measures:
In addition to these measures, the government will review its current plans to pilot larger audiences in venues this month.
Please see following notice regarding a planned road closure along Cufaude Lane for Openreach repairs on the stretch of road up to the junction with the Bramley road (The Street), for a period of 5 days. The precise dates aren’t known but expected after 14 September. The diverted traffic route is not through Sherfield Park, however we should expect some additional traffic as GPS systems plot various alternative routes.
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Notice is hereby given that Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council pursuant to arrangements made under Section 101 of the Local Government Act 1972 with Hampshire County Council in exercise of the powers of the said County Council and in exercise of the powers under Section 14(1) of the Road Traffic Regulation Act 1984 (“the Act”), and of all other enabling powers, proposes to make the following Order:-
Reason for Order: The Council are satisfied that traffic on the road should be restricted or prohibited because works are being or are proposed to be executed on or near the road.
Effect of Order: All traffic will be prohibited from travelling along Cufaude Lane, Bramley, at the junction with The Street for 618m south, as directed by traffic signs. The closure is for Openreach repairs.
Duration of Order: The order will come into effect on 14 September 2020 for 3 months. (Notwithstanding the above it is expected the closure will be 5 days only during this period)
Alternative Route: Vyne Road, Elm Road, Aldermaston Road, Ringway North, A33 Reading Road, Hanmore Road or by this route reversed.
If you have any queries regarding the above please contact Mollie Barker on 01329 289394 or email tmplanning@tc123.co.uk on behalf of Traffic Control 123. Plans are also available on the website at https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/ttro
Croudace have asked Sherfield Park residents to share their thoughts and comments prior to submission of the planning application for the new play area and associated landscaping. As a public meeting isn’t possible, Croudace have produced a website which has all relevant information. The deadline for comments is 11th September 2020.
This is a survey open to all members of the public including our supporters and members and we are asking our partners to share across their public networks. It will enable us to look at how Neighbourhood Watch impacts in our communities and identify the concerns surrounding crime, fear of crime and the increase in neighbourliness and community spirit.
We ask that you share the survey IMPACT SURVEY with friends, neighbours, colleagues and your partners, to ensure that we get a good mix of responses. You can do this in various ways through email, using social media and any other methods that you may have.
We look forward to receiving your responses on our survey which needs to be completed by 21st August 2020.
Neighbourhood Alert.
The Hampshire Together engagement programme has been extended until Friday 7 August to allow more people to share their views.
Working in partnership, Hampshire and Isle of Wight Partnership of Clinical Commissioning Groups, West Hampshire Clinical Commissioning Group and Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs hospitals in Basingstoke, Winchester and Andover, have launched a programme of public engagement on the biggest modernisation of local health services in 50 years.
Hampshire Together: Modernising our Hospitals and Health Services is an exciting programme that will involve all NHS and social care services across Alton, Andover, Basingstoke, Eastleigh, Winchester and the surrounding areas.
Along with the unique opportunity to build a brand new hospital for residents in north Hampshire, the central aim of all partners is to deliver a joined-up healthcare approach that supports patients to access the right care, in the right place, at the right time.
To give residents across the borough a final chance to have their say as part of the programme, Hampshire Together will be running virtual sessions tomorrow (28 July) and Thursday 6 August. For more information on these events and to book your place, visit www.hampshiretogether.nhs.uk/events
This week is the last chance to take part in ‘The Big Basingstoke and Deane Thank You’, with almost 200 submissions received so far.
Led by the Mayor of Basingstoke and Deane Cllr Diane Taylor, the project is providing an opportunity for residents to say a public thank you to key workers, individuals, organisations or businesses in the borough who have gone above and beyond to help others during the COVID-19 pandemic.
This will culminate in a virtual week of celebration taking place from Monday 10 August to Friday 14 August.
There are lots of way for people to get in touch to say their thank you by this Friday (31 July):
All messages received will be displayed on The Big Thank You website and the Mayor will send a personal letter of thanks, where possible.
Alongside this, a children’s drawing, poetry and spoken word project on the theme of kindness is also taking place. All artwork received will be displayed as part of a digital art projection that will take place later this year and will be able to view on the website as a lasting memory.
Shoppers across the borough are being reminded to wear face coverings from Friday (24 July) when visiting the town centre.
Officers have been helping retailers to safely reopen by ensuring they have the appropriate measures in place, as well as working with Basingstoke Together BID, Festival Place and The Malls to ensure Basingstoke town centre is a safe and pleasant experience for shoppers.
A number of measures have been put in place, including walking on the left hand side of walkways, an increased cleaning schedule of public areas, hand sanitising units and extensive signage reminding shoppers what they need to do.
On 14 July, the government announced that face coverings would be compulsory in all shops and supermarkets, in line with public transport, from this Friday (24 July).
This new measure will help to reduce the spread of COVID-19 from droplets from coughs and sneezes when visiting smaller areas where social distancing may be more difficult, alongside other measures such as regularly washing your hands.
