Coronavirus: Eastbourne residents in need still being ‘helped as usual’

The council released a statement on Friday (March 20) with an update regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The statement highlights that the council has set up an office-based team which is responding to emails and talking to residents over the phone, a Neighbourhood First team is out patrolling communities and it’s ‘business as usual’ for waste collection services.

According to a council spokesperson, the household waste and recycling collections will continue but there will be no collections of bulky waste, like appliances or furniture.

The spokesperson said the council’s reception area is still open - with a strict two-metre social distancing rule in place - but residents are encouraged to contact the authority online.

The spokesperson said, “During these unprecedented times we are sharing regular updates about the council services that residents in Eastbourne rely on.

“The main message today is that residents who need us are being helped as usual. Office-based teams are responding to enquiries via emails and talking to residents on the phone, while our Neighbourhood First officers are out and about in local communities.

“However, there are inevitably adjustments to our services and key information to highlight, so it’s important that these messages are communicated in a timely way.”

The spokesperson said phones will be installed outside 1 Grove Road for residents who want to speak to a council officer but want to remain outside each building.

Other key information can be found on the council website which includes advice for businesses about emergency support and council tax payments.

• Coronavirus, or COVID-19, is an illness which affects the lungs and airways. Symptoms are a high temperature and continuous cough.

• NHS advice is to regularly wash your hands, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze, and try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell. • If you live alone, stay at home for seven days if you have either a high temperature or a new, continuous cough.

• If you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill

• Call 111 if you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home, or your symptoms get worse.