As England enters a second Lockdown Maidstone Borough Council is reminding residents of the new restrictions which are currently scheduled to finish on 2 December and where to get help.
We need to act together to protect lives and livelihoods. Under the new restrictions we must all:
- Only leave home for food, medical reasons, exercise, education or work
- You must work from home if you can
- Avoid travel unless essential
- Avoid meeting people you do not live with, except for specific purposes
- Close certain businesses and venues
Cllr Martin Cox, Leader of Maidstone Borough Council said: “The rules are slightly different from the first Lockdown, with fewer industries being entirely shut down and education venues, schools, colleges and universities staying open. There is slightly more flexibility about when you can leave the house. For example, you can visit people in your support bubble or to provide care for vulnerable people.
“Parts of the economy can remain open including the housing market, and construction; so trades people can continue to carry out work in other people’s homes. We will keep you updated with more information as soon as we have it on our website https://maidstone.gov.uk/.”
“It is so important we all stick to these new rules to reduce the growth rate of the virus, which will prevent the NHS from being overwhelmed, this way schools, colleges and universities can stay open and as many people as possible can continue to work.”
The Test and Trace Support payment of £500 is available to help people who have been told to self-isolate by the NHS. It is for anyone employed or self-employed on a low income and in receipt of certain benefits who has tested positive for COVID-19 or been in close contact with someone who has tested positive. To apply people need to complete an online self-isolation payment application form which will then be assessed for eligibility:
Non-essential shops, leisure and entertainment venues will be closed. Click and collect services can continue and essential shops, including supermarkets, will remain open. Pubs, bars, restaurants must close, except for takeaway and delivery services.
The Government will make funding available to all local authorities to cover certain types of businesses that might be affected and is yet to publish the details of how local authorities should administer these grants. To find out more go Maidstone borough council website.
For those needing extra support the following organisations are available:
Kent Together helpline
Maidstone Borough Council is working with Kent County Council to provide a 24 hour helpline which has been set up to support vulnerable people in Kent who need urgent help, supplies or medication.
If you are vulnerable and have an urgent need that cannot be met through existing support networks, you can contact the Kent Together helpline via www.kent.gov.uk/protectkent or by calling on 03000 41 92 92.
You can also report your concerns about the welfare of someone else.
Mutual aid
Find your local COVID-19 community group in your area
Citizens Advice Maidstone
Tel: 0344 848 7978
Age UK Maidstone
Email: info@ageukmaidstone.org.uk
Tel: 01622 753618
Involve Kent
Email: office@involvekent.org.uk
Tel: 03000 810005
Money Advice Service
Maidstone and Weald Samaritans
Freephone open 24 hours a day: 116 123