In line with government guidance, Kings Centre, The Dolphin and The Triangle leisure centres are now closed until further notice. Places Leisure has advised that Members will not be charged while the centres are closed.
The Government has issued advice about disposing of rubbish should you have a confirmed or suspected case of Covid-19 in your household. Used tissues and disposable cleaning cloths should be put into a rubbish bag. The bag should then be put into a second bag and tied securely. You should then wait 72 hours before putting it in your outside bin. You are able to dispose of other household waste as normal.
Please continue to check www.westsussex.gov.uk/coronavirus for details of any impact to County Council services. We would also advise you to check any information or updates given by your local district and borough council, as they operate your waste and recycling collections and will be able to advise of any disruption or changes.
At the present time, household recycling and waste collections continue as normal across West Sussex, and we will be supporting our colleagues at the district and borough councils to enable these to continue, but would ask residents to be sensible about their waste production.
You can also find information about recycling and waste reduction on our website; www.wastepreventionwestsussex.
All Household Waste Recycling Sites (HWRS) across West Sussex are now closed until further notice due to the current Covid-19 situation.
This is to reinforce the need for social distancing, protecting staff and highway safety.
With high numbers of visits, the risks of spread are greater and we cannot encourage this risk or guarantee visitor or staff safety at the HWRSs. We will be looking at measures that can be taken to enable us to re-open the sites safely, but for the time being we have no choice but to close them entirely. We will issue guidance on disposal of excess waste, with the focus on vulnerable and elderly residents in the first instance. Thank you for your patience and understanding and please check the West Sussex Recycles website for updates and further information.
Registration offices are currently closed in: Burgess Hill, East Grinstead, Littlehampton and Storrington but appointments are available at the main hub locations.
Registering a death: In light of the current guidance, we are asking that only the main person informing us of a death, attends the appointment. We would also ask that anyone who is in self-isolation arranges for an alternative informant who has not been in contact with anyone who has the virus to collect the Medical Certificate of Death and attend the appointment. We apologise for any upset this may cause, but hope you understand the importance of protecting everyone’s wellbeing. Please note, the above guidance relates to registration of death appointments.
Registering a birth: we would ask that parents consider keeping those attending the appointment to register a birth to a minimum where possible, accepting that both parents need to attend if unmarried.
For further advice please ring 01243 642122.
Ceremonies
Following the latest public health advice we have reviewed our approach to forthcoming ceremonies at both our WSCC ceremony rooms and Licensed Venues. We will be contacting couples directly to make them aware of the precautions we are taking to ensure we can deliver ceremonies in a safe way and will publish updates and responses to frequently asked questions on our website.
Understandably, we are dealing with an unprecedented volume of calls and are working our way through postponements, cancellations and questions, whilst dealing with the most imminent ceremonies first. We are committed to maintaining this service in these unprecedented times and adhering to the statutory minimum guidelines which require the couple, two witnesses and two registrars.
The care industry will inevitably be under enormous pressure as the coronavirus outbreak develops. Our most vulnerable residents require round the clock care and a resilient workforce is required to look after their needs at this difficult time. If you are able to step in and take on a job in care please get in touch now. Don’t worry if you haven’t worked in care before as full training and on-going support is given. You may have worked in the travel, leisure and hospitality industries and have the perfect skills to work in care.
Our friendly Proud to Care team can help you find the right role – email now at proudtocare@westsussex.gov.uk or search for jobs here.
These are obviously very uncertain times. However, it is important people do still get fresh air and stay fit and well while closely following government guidance.
Spring is slowly arriving in West Sussex, take a moment if you can to think of your health and wellbeing and see our wonderful outdoors, while following guidance on social distancing.
To see what we have on offer in West Sussex, visit www.experiencewestsussex.com
Due to current circumstances all residents and visitors with bookings should contact the individual businesses to check their operating status, postponement and cancellation policies. For more information please click here.
Following the latest Government advice, all 36 libraries in West Sussex are now closed until further notice.
Libraries provide a valuable service to residents and the library team are working on plans to offer a modified library service during these unprecedented times, which we will update people on as we know more.
For now, anyone who is currently not a member of their local library, but wants to join, can do so online.
Once registered, you will have instant access to the e-library service, where there are a range of downloadable books, audiobooks, magazines, comics and newspapers.
There are also procedures in place for anyone who currently has items on loan:
More details will follow in due course, to keep up-to-date follow the library service on Twitter or Facebook.
West Sussex Fire & Rescue Service is offering alternative ways of ensuring vulnerable residents are fire safe in their homes during the coronavirus outbreak.
The service will be offering their free Safe and Well Visits via phone, Skype and by posting a useful resource document.
The visits are a way of offering advice on how to stay safe as well as smoke detectors and other specialist fire equipment free of charge.
General fire safety advice includes:
Book or refer someone for free Safe and Well advice here: http://bit.ly/WSFRSSafeAndWell.
Maintaining your general health and wellbeing at home will be important in the coming weeks. Try including these ideas in your routine:
You can also find guidance on staying safe and well at home from Age UK.