Author: Andrew Taylor

As we enter a further stage of lockdown we wanted to give a reminder of where you can find the latest information and updates regarding the COVID-19 outbreak.

It is so important that we all continue to stay at home wherever possible and do not meet others, even friends or family. Remember you can spread the virus even if you don’t have symptoms.

We should all make sure we:

• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
• Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people at all times
• Wash our hands as soon as we get home

With the majority of us spending prolonged periods of time at home, taking care of your mind as well as your body has never been more important. The Every Mind Matters website from the NHS has guidance, tips and advice on looking after your mental health and wellbeing at this challenging time.

If you are unsure about the advice then take a look at the government website for guidance on what you can and cannot do. There is also a really helpful blog from Public Health England which is regularly updated to answer many frequently asked questions.

There are steps we can all take to prevent the spread of coronavirus. Please follow the NHS advice and:

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
• always wash your hands when you get home or into work
• 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 straight away and wash your hands afterwards
• try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Please also visit our dedicated webpage where you can find updates on our services and how they are being impacted in light of the current situation, as well as lots of other links to useful sources of information for residents and businesses.

Relate Sussex and their services have changed what they provide due to the COVID-19 outbreak:

Due to the current Covid-19 outbreak, Relate North and South West Sussex are offering telephone and web cam counselling.

Relate supports individuals, couples and families and also provides children and young people’s counselling. They have been working hard to ensure that people can access their services. Relate’s service supports people to manage their anxieties and fears and helps to build resilience in the current situation. It also supports those couples struggling with their relationships, whether married, co-habiting, or divorced and co-parenting.

Relate’s charges are on a sliding scale and they are able to offer subsidies or a limited number of sessions free of charge, dependent on funding available and on a case by case basis. Please ask when you telephone.

For more advice and details about telephone or web cam counselling, please telephone Relate as follows:

• Mondays to Fridays 9am to 1pm 07799 170582
• Mondays to Fridays 1pm to 5pm 07423 14791

Local businesses are being urged to ensure their premises are sufficiently protected during the Covid-19 outbreak.

Sussex Police believe there could be an increase in organised acquisitive crime across the county – including burglaries of business premises – and have increased police patrols and proactive targeting of known local criminals.

Officers are also advising residents to make sure that their valuables are secure, especially as warmer weather may well result in opportunistic crooks taking advantage of properties left insecure.

You can find crime prevention advice for protecting your business from the inside out and keeping high value items safe at home on the Sussex Police website.

Detective Chief Inspector Alasdair Henry, burglary prevention lead for Sussex Police, said: “We take burglary very seriously. Staff across the force are working hard to prevent an increase in burglary and we are ready to respond to any spikes in such criminality.

“We are urging business owners to ensure that they have sufficient and robust security features in place and that they are in full working order. Security cameras should be checked and owners need to make sure that any service doors are both secure and locked. Don’t store cash in premises whilst they are closed.

“Owners of high value jewellery are encouraged to ensure it is securely locked away in the house, ideally in a safe or similar secure storage, rather than being left in drawers or cupboards. Residents should ensure that doors to their homes are kept locked, especially overnight, but also when they might be out enjoying their gardens, and that they have measures in place to keep their residence secure.

“It is vital that we all work together to disrupt organised crime and prevent opportunistic burglaries. Our Sussex Police website provides some excellent detailed advice on how to protect your property from crime.

“Please do not hesitate to report suspicious activity to us. This includes reporting people trying to sell items that you suspect are stolen. If you have any information concerning burglary or people selling stolen goods please get in touch with us immediately online or by calling 101. You can also report anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

“In an emergency, such as a crime in progress, please dial 999.”

Katy Bourne, Sussex Police and Crime Commissioner said: “It is important to remember at this time that, whilst our police officers are having to provide support to protect the capacity of the NHS, they are still committed to protecting our communities because criminals are not staying at home.

“As many businesses have been forced to close due to the ‘lockdown’, the vacant premises are more vulnerable to being targeted by criminals seeking to make a profit from this pandemic. So, I’m urging business owners to heed the preventative advice that Sussex Police have released today and take simple measures to better protect themselves and their livelihood.

“The police are still there for us when we need them most, so if you see something suspicious or have been a victim of any crime type, please still report.”

Communities can work together to prevent crime. By joining an existing Neighbourhood Watch scheme or becoming a Neighbourhood Watch co-ordinator, your community can be stronger together.

Along with East Grinstead Emergency Action Group is being co-ordinated by the Town Council / the Mug Tree via our switchboard number (0342 323636) you can pay for shopping by card over the phone or bank transfer, only if necessary for you and being your choice will we take cash.   All our volunteers have ID and will leave your shopping on the doorstep and ring the doorbell we will not enter your home for any reason.

Please stay safe.

Easter will be a difficult time this year as we move through the Covid-19 pandemic. Separated from friends and families at a time we are used to togetherness and celebration. For regular church-goers this will also present challenges as services are now no longer available to a physical congregation. As more and more of us stay connected through a digital world, East Grinstead Churches have moved online to bring their services directly to their parishioners.

Here are the ones we have heard of so far:

Catholic

• www.churchservices.tv
• Worth Abbey Mass services (Audio only for Good Friday and Easter Sunday service) and Arundel Cathedral. Live streaming on YouTube

Church of England

• St Swithun’s East Grinstead
• St John’s Felbridge
• Trinity Methodist Church East Grinstead