A joint message from the leader and deputy leader of Cheshire East Council

The following is a joint message from leader of the council Councillor Sam Corcoran and deputy leader Councillor Craig Browne:

“These are unprecedented times. Covid-19 represents a significant risk to individuals and to our economy. Our country has not experienced anything like this before and, yesterday, the government outlined strict new measures to limit and slow the spread of this infection

“Cheshire East Council has a key role to play in the ongoing response to Covid-19. Our priorities are to protect vulnerable people and maintain critical and essential services. We are working with colleagues from the NHS to support the most vulnerable individuals – those at greatest risk of infection and serious illness – through ‘community shielding’.

“We are bringing together the many people and organisations who want to offer help at this time, with people who need help, through our ‘People Helping People’ webpage. If you are able to offer help to people in your community, please let us know by clicking ‘I can help’ and providing your name, contact details and how you can help.

“Equally, if you need our help, or are aware of people within your neighbourhood who do, please let us know by clicking on ‘I need help’, so we can plan our resources accordingly.

“We are also working hard with partners to support businesses, helping them to access support and guidance, with regular updates on cheshireeast.gov.uk/covid19.

"We are continuing to provide key services, such as waste and recycling collections. But we will have to keep these services under review as the situation changes and we may have to ask you to do things differently, as we adapt these services to changing circumstances.

“While many of our staff are now working from home, other members of staff are key workers, working in health and social care and other essential public services. They may have to travel to and from work and we would ask you to support them as they do this.  

“We can all contribute to overcoming this disease. By working together, everyone in Cheshire East can do their bit to beat this truly global challenge. The basic hygiene advice still applies:

● Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds;

● 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; and

● Stay two metres (three steps) away from other people, if you need to go outside.

Cheshire East Council is providing updates, information and guidance on its website at cheshireeast.gov.uk/covid19.

 Follow us on social media at:

● Twitter @CheshireEast; and

● Facebook.com/CheshireEastCouncil

“Finally, we would like to thank every member of staff, every councillor, community group, partner and resident for their continued efforts to support each other at this time.

“We can beat this. Stay safe and support each other.”