COVID Update - Borough moves into Tier 4
National lockdown announced
The health and wellbeing of our residents, people who work in the Borough and our staff is the Council's top priority. We're working hard to continue providing as many services as possible while ensuring residents' safety, in line with the latest advice from the government.
We are regularly updating information and advice about our services in relation to coronavirus and providing regular updates for the Borough's businesses.
- Latest information from central government
- Latest advice from the NHS
- Government advice for employers and businesses
To keep up to date sign up for Your Weekly Borough News. You'll receive an email every Friday with a round up of information, including the latest Borough updates relating to coronavirus.
4 January
National lockdown announced
Following the Prime Minister's announcement this evening of a national lockdown to take effect from 5 January, the latest guidance has been published.
23 November
Local Restrictions Support Grant
The application form is now available for Borough businesses to apply for the Local Restrictions Support Grant.
30 October
Helping local businesses with COVID security
The Council is working with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to contact businesses in the Borough to make sure they are COVID-secure and to help tackle coronavirus in the local area.
Find out more about making your workplace COVID-secure.
23 October
Keep Hampshire Safe - information for businesses
Hampshire County Council as the regional public health authority has created online resources aimed at supporting businesses in their response to a case or outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) linked to their operations. This information includes:
- What to do if you have a confirmed case(s) or an outbreak
- How to report an outbreak to your local health protection team
- Communications toolkit for businesses
12 October
Test & Trace Support
Applications can now be submitted for the new Test & Trace Support payment if you have been contacted by the NHS asking you to self isolate and have met the qualifying criteria.
18 September
New NHS App
On 24 September a new NHS COVID-19 App will be launched to support Test and Trace work and businesses in the Borough are being encouraged to prepare for the launch.
Businesses will be able to download and display QR codes in preparation for the launch. The codes will be an important way for NHS Test and Trace to contact people if coronavirus outbreaks are identified.
11 August
New Pavement Licence
Cafes, pubs restaurants and other food outlets can now apply for a Pavement Licence to place removable tables and chairs on the pavement outside their premises for their customers to use.
24 July
Face coverings now mandatory
Face coverings must to be worn in shops and supermarkets in England from today, Friday 24 July, as well as in other enclosed public spaces, including indoor shopping centres, transport hubs, banks and post offices. They help protect you - and the people around you. More details
9 July
New service launched to help people unemployed as a result of COVID-19
Jobs Fuse is a new service helping those made jobless as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic in the Enterprise M3 LEP area get back into employment.The service supports key regional employers with gaps in their staffing due to the pandemic, such as those in the care sector. For further information call 0808 196 3596 or email the dedicated inbox JobsFuse@educationdevelopmenttrust.com.
30 June
Beware 'air quality' scams
The Council is issuing a warning about an air quality assessment scam where residents have received phone calls claiming that their property needs an air quality assessment by a company that has been contracted by the NHS. The homeowner is then told that this company has a right to enter your house and when they arrive you must let them in. These approaches are fraudulent and you certainly have the right to refuse people entry to your home.
22 May
Beware cold callers
The Council is reminding residents not to employ people who call at their homes looking for work, such as garden maintenance, driveway repairs or removal of waste items.
20 May
Council Tax scam
The Council has been made aware by residents of a scam linked to coronavirus (COVID-19). Residents are being contacted from someone claiming that you have over paid your Council tax and that you are due a rebate. Please be aware that the Council would not contact residents in this way to inform them of an overpayment. The Council will always write a letter/email an individual to inform them of an overpayment.
12 May
#StayInWorkOut
Sport England have launched a nationwide campaign to #StayInWorkOut and we want people across the Borough to take part and share with us how they are staying active whilst at home.
22 April
Public bodies - payment of suppliers
The Government recently released a Procurement Policy Note (PPN) setting out information and guidance for public bodies on payment of suppliers to ensure service continuity during and after the current coronavirus, COVID-19, outbreak.
Eastleigh Borough Council is following the Government guidance by working with suppliers at risk to ensure they are in a position to resume normal contract delivery once the outbreak is over.
21 April
Coronavirus and your personal data
Your personal information may not be your first thought when it comes to coronavirus, but if you’re worried, we’ve put together some information to help.
- We may use contact details that we hold to get in touch with you to share vital messages about how we are working to combat the coronavirus
- You might be asked for details about sensitive health conditions or the type of help you may need (if any) during the coronavirus crisis. View our coronavirus support privacy notice
- If you’ve made a Freedom of Information or Subject Access Request to the Council, you may experience delays in our response. That is because we are diverting our resources to help with challenges the Borough is facing due to the ongoing crisis.
9 April
New freephone number for homeless people
As Eastleigh House is currently closed, we have a freephone number that can be called if someone finds themselves in a homeless situation: Freephone 0800 032 0540
If you become homeless outside of office opening hours and need assistance you can contact our out-of-hours service on 023 8068 8000, or email housing@eastleigh.gov.uk
31 March
Help with Council Tax payments
We're offering a range of measures to reassure and help families with their Council Tax payments through the Covid-19 crisis. The coronavirus outbreak is having a significant impact on our residents and many people may be struggling to pay their bills including Council Tax, especially if they have suffered a sudden drop in income.
26 March
Community support
Our coronavirus support pages are now live. If you or someone you know of is self-isolating because they are vulnerable to coronavirus and needs help getting essential supplies like food or medicine we can connect you with a volunteer group in your area. Equally, if you just need a person you can chat with, we can put you in touch with someone.
If you’d like to become a volunteer, you can find out about the groups we are working with and how you can be of help.
25 March
Freedom of Information and Environmental Information Requests
Over the coming weeks, we will be diverting our resources to tackle social issues being experienced as a result of the Coronavirus crisis. We kindly request your patience at this challenging time. We will respond to your request, but this is likely to take longer than usual and to exceed the 20-working day deadline in the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and Environmental Information Regulations 2004. This accords with the Information Commissioner’s Office’s guidance, published in response to the crisis that individuals should expect to “experience understandable delays, when making information requests during the pandemic”.
Guidance in response to COVID-19
23 March
Support with Council Tax payment
We know this is a worrying time and some people may be concerned about being able to pay their bills.
If you're worried about your ability to meet council tax payments, please visit the Council Tax Support pages. If you’d like to discuss your situation with us, please call 023 8068 8000 to speak with one of our advisors.
Please also take a look at the financial support that has been announced by government.
Planning Applications
For a number of years we have been moving towards making our planning application process fully digital, including assessment of applications, issuing the Council’s decision, and other parts of the process.
The current Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic means we are reviewing our contingency plans for when our service is disrupted. With most of our staff working from home - because of the social distancing measures brought in by the government - but still having access to our network, we are still able to process planning applications that are received online; however, there are likely to be delays for applications submitted on paper as we are not able to access these and cannot create the digital versions our planning process requires. We therefore strongly recommend that all customers should submit their applications electronically via the Planning Portal (please note that submissions via the portal do carry a fee). This will give us the best chance of delivering our service to you in a timely manner.
If you have already submitted a planning application and you wish to submit further information to either validate your application or post-validation drawings; or if you have already obtained permission and you wish to apply for an amendment, these can also be done through the portal.
20 March
Finance arrangements
All payment runs will continue to ensure that all our customers continue to be paid.
If people are having issues with bill payment, they are asked to call 023 8068 8000 for Council Tax or 023 8068 8076 for Business Rates. For all other debts email- sundry.debtors@eastleigh.gov.uk
Business Rate bills have already been prepared and issued in line with current legislation and we are waiting for further details from the Government. We will contact all rate payers who may eligible for a reduction and issue adjusted bills if required. Further details will be on our website when available.
If people have booked an event or appointment, which we have cancelled, they will be offered an alternative, credit note or refund.
All cheque payments will be stopped and customers are required to urgently provide their bank details, if they haven’t done so already.
Where possible, we will issue our invoices by email although our current posting system will remain in place. Debtors can request an emailed invoice by contacting sundry.debtors@eastleigh.gov.uk
We’re encouraging invoices to be sent to accounts.payable@eastleigh.gov.uk to ensure swift payment rather than being posted to the Council offices.
19 March
Volunteering in your community
It’s heartening to see so many people in our community wanting to help those who may be self-isolating due to coronavirus. We are in contact with several groups that have sprung up and are talking with them, and other agencies, about how best to coordinate efforts and at the same time keep people safe.
For now, if you wish to get involved in volunteering, please contact One Community who will be able to signpost you to a community group in your area.
Don't forget, one of the best things we can do for one another right now is to follow the government’s advice on social distancing and hand washing, and to look out for your neighbours.
17 March
New guidance on disposing of personal waste in households with possible coronavirus
The government has issued new guidance on how households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection should dispose of personal waste like tissues.
Double bag personal waste
Personal waste (such as used tissues and disposable cleaning cloths) should be stored securely within disposable rubbish bags. These bags should be placed into another bag, tied securely and kept separate from other waste.
Do not put out for collection for at least three days
Put personal waste aside for at least 72 hours before placing in your external black household waste bin. For example, if you have filled/tied a bag on a Monday and your collection is due on a Thursday, that bag can be put out for collection on Thursday morning. However, if you have filled/tied a bag on a Monday and your collection is due on a Wednesday, you would need to hold onto that bag until your next scheduled collection.
Other household waste can be disposed of as normal.
This advice is designed to prevent transmission of the virus. Further guidance
Stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms
- Anyone showing any potential symptoms of coronavirus infection, including a high temperature or continuous cough, is now advised to self-isolate at home for seven days.
- If you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms.
- If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days. If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.
If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days, contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.
For Council services that are affected we will publish information prominently on our website.
The NHS has produced the following information and simple tips:
Do
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands when you get home or into work
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
- cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
- put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
- avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus
- only travel on public transport if you need to
- work from home, if you can
- avoid social activities, such as going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and cinemas
- avoid events with large groups of people
- use phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services
Don't
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
- do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family
Anyone suspecting that they have the virus - especially after returning from countries most affected should visit: www.111.nhs.uk/covid-19
We work closely with Hampshire County Council’s Director of Public Health who publishes regular updates