Council leader reassures residents that vital services will continue to be delivered across Hertfordshire

The leader of Hertfordshire County Council has reassured residents that the council will continue to deliver vital services across the county following the latest national lockdown announcement.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced a new lockdown last night (Monday) in a bid to curb rapidly rising Covid cases that threaten to overwhelm the NHS.

In an address to the nation at 8pm, the PM set out 'further steps' - after existing tiers currently in place failed to prevent the spread of coronavirus that has been driven by a new variant.

Primary schools, secondary schools and colleges across the country will move to remote teaching from today (Tuesday) - except for key workers’ children and vulnerable children.

The new restrictions will last at least six weeks, with schools shut until February half-term.

David Williams, leader of Hertfordshire County Council, said: “The government has announced that England will enter a national lockdown from 00.01 on 6 January.

"We recognise this will have a marked impact on residents and businesses, but appreciate these extreme measures are deemed necessary to keep everyone in our community safe.

“I would like to issue my reassurance that Hertfordshire County Council will continue to work closely with its partners to deliver vital services across the county, as well as supporting the education sector, and businesses in the region through our work with Hertfordshire’s Local Enterprise Partnership (LEP).

“My heartfelt thanks to all staff on the frontline and in supporting roles who continue to play their part in the momentous effort to prevail over Covid-19.”

For up-to-date information about Hertfordshire County Council services and how they will be delivered, visit: www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/coronavirus.

What you can and cannot do during the national lockdown

You must stay at home. You should follow this guidance immediately.

Leaving home:

> You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

- shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person

- go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home

- exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.

- meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one

- seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)

- attend education or childcare - for those eligible.

> Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early Years settings remain open.

> Higher Education provision will remain online until mid February for all except future critical worker courses.

> If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.

> If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work

Meeting others

> You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).

> You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble.

> You should not meet other people you do not live with, or have formed a support bubble with, unless for a permitted reason.

> Stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household.

For the latest advice and guidance from the Government click here.