March 19th updates: Coronavirus news from the New Forest and Christchurch
FOLLOW this page for live updates on the latest coronavirus developments and announcements in the New Forest and Christchurch on Thursday 19th March.
Have you got a story? Email us via news@adt.press or call 01425 613384. The latest government advice is here.
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HEADLINES:
- Latest confirmed coronavirus cases in the Hampshire County Council area reached 77 yesterday (Wednesday) morning, and seven in the BCP Council area
- Business urged to help with delivery of 30,000 new medical ventilators
- Schools race to get ready to close after class tomorrow (Friday) afternoon
- BCP Council prepares for worsening situation
- Up-to-date NHS coronavirus advice is available here
11.56am
THE New Forest Business Partnership has highlighted helpful details for small businesses to apply for government support.
11.48am
SWAY Cricket Club has stumped up a helpful offer for parents who will have children at home next week.
11.17am
CLARIFICATION has been given about how food will be provided to the 1.3-million youngsters in the UK who currently receive free school meals, when classes end on Friday afternoon.
The government said that schools will be able to order vouchers directly from supermarkets or shops in their communities. These will be emailed or printed and posted to families, and they will have their costs covered by the Department for Education.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson said: "No child who would ordinarily receive a free school meal should go without this while their school is closed or while they are having to self-isolate at home."By giving headteachers flexibility on how they can get meals or shop vouchers to these children, they can make the most appropriate decisions for families in their communities, and provide immediate reassurance that this important support will continue."11.09am
THE government yesterday (Wednesday) announced a package of measures to protect renters and landlords affected by coronavirus.
It said that as a result, no renter in either social or private accommodation will be forced out of their home during the crisis.
Housing secretary Robert Jenrick MP said: "The government is clear – no renter who has lost income due to coronavirus will be forced out of their home, nor will any landlord face unmanageable debts.
"These are extraordinary times and renters and landlords alike are of course worried about paying their rent and mortgage.
"Which is why we are urgently introducing emergency legislation to protect tenants in social and private accommodation from an eviction process being started."
10.55am
BUSINESSES able to help with the delivery of 30,000 new ventilators to help treat people suffering Covid-19, the illness caused by coronavirus, are being urged to register with the government.
The plea was echoed by the national park authority which posted on Facebook to urge New Forest firms to get involved if they can.
Companies are being sought with experience in the supply of parts or manufacturing of medical devices or components, pharmaceutical operations, or makers of critical components likely to include air compressors, sheet metal, pipes, valves, couplings, flow sensors, power supplies, industrial automation/testing.
For advice, contact James Ford, Solent Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub Manager via email james.ford@solentlep.org.uk or call him on 023 9268 8055.
10.35am
NEW Forest West MP Sir Desmond Swayne asked in the Commons yesterday (Wednesday) how "large numbers of young people released from school be persuaded to stay at home and avoid social contact?"
He posed his question after education secretary Gavin Williamson announced the closure of schools from end of class tomorrow (Friday).
Mr Williamson said: "My right honourable friend poses a challenge, and as the father of two teenage daughters I am acutely aware of youngsters’ desire to socialise, but what we are facing in this country is not normal.
"It is not something any of us have seen in our childhood, and it is not a situation any of us would like to see or be in, and we need to accept that everyone has to exhibit a different set of behaviours to be able to stem this virus.
"That comes with challenges, but we are only taking the steps we are taking because we believe they will go towards ensuring that this virus does not spread as widely as it could."
10.24am
NEWSAGENTS are stepping up with deliveries to help New Milton Advertiser and Lymington Times readers across the New Forest and Christchurch catch up with developments in the coronavirus crisis.
Weekly paper deliveries each Friday are being offered by local stores to people who cannot leave their home.
If you can’t get your newspaper delivered we will do our best to help to assist, if we can. Get in touch by calling Lucy on 07592 502693 or emailing newspapersales@adt.press.
More details here.
9.40am
A SERIES of measures are being worked on by BCP Council as it prepares for the expected worsening of the coronavirus pandemic.
Plans to co-ordinate local community groups offering support and redeploy its workforce are all among those being put together.
The chief executive of BCP Council, Graham Farrant, described the outbreak as “by far the most serious emergency incident” facing local authorities in his working career.
Full story here.
9.37am
HEADTEACHERS have been racing to react to the government order for all schools to close at the end of lessons tomorrow (Friday) to try to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Education secretary Gavin Williamson promised children of key workers would be allowed in, and schools have been surveying parents to find out their jobs. At Noadswood in Dibden Purlieu, 600 responded within a few hours.
Full story here.
