Second Lockdown

Communities urged to stay safe and be sensible ahead of second lockdown  
Police in Norfolk are urging people to stay safe and be sensible as England prepares to enter a second phase on lockdown on Thursday (5 November 2020). It comes as new measures are introduced to help stop the spread of coronavirus which will see people required to stay at home, restrictions on gatherings and non-essential businesses closed, including shops, restaurants and bars.

Officers are encouraging people to continue adhering to the existing restrictions, sticking to the rule of six and maintaining social distancing. Temporary Assistant Chief Constable, Julie Wvendth, said: “It’s reasonable to assume people will want to make the most of their freedom before Thursday. However, it’s important to remember the existing rules still apply and we want people to be sensible and stay safe.”

Over the weekend, officers issued four fixed penalty notices to people in Norwich in breach of the rule of six. Three related to a Halloween party while the fourth was in connection with a protest. In Cromer, following a joint visit by police and North Norfolk District Council on Saturday night (31 October) a fixed penalty notice was issued to bar/resturant Lily Mais the following day for breaching COVID regulations in failing to take steps to ensure that customers remained seated while consuming food or drink on the premises. T/ACC Wvendth added: “We know these changes can be difficult and uncomfortable for some and we’ve acknowledged this in our approached to enforcing the regulations by engaging, explaining and encouraging people to follow the rules. Enforcement has always been a last resort.   “However, people who are knowingly and blatantly breaching regulations leave us with no option but issue a fine. We can’t waste time with endless engagement and the public would expect us to act in these circumstances.”  

Additional information on the new measures can be found on the Government website https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november

VE Day

Friday 8 May 2020 marks 75 years since Nazi Germany’s formal surrender at the end of the Second World War.

On VE (Victory in Europe) Day in 1945, millions took to the streets to celebrate peace after years of devastating war.

Sadly, plans for street parties across England with swing dancing to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Second World War have been delayed as a result of the Coronavirus outbreak.

Instead, English Heritage are are encouraging everyone to mark the anniversary with their own VE Day celebration at home, and their VE Day 75 pack includes 1940s recipes, dance steps and even a Spotify playlist to help you plan.

To find out more, please visit their website below:

English Heritage – VE Day

Volunteer Drivers

Norfolk Police are urging volunteers using their vehicles to offer their services, to ensure they are covered by the correct vehicle insurance policy.

Volunteers who are using their vehicles to offer their services are being warned that they may not automatically be covered by their regular vehicle insurance policy. Although some insurers cover volunteer driving within their regular insurance policies, others may charge an extra premium or impose a higher excess for volunteers who are travelling in their own vehicle.

As part of the Road Traffic Act every person who uses, causes, or permits another person to use a motor vehicle on a road or other public place must have a policy of insurance in respect of third-party risks.

Officers are issuing the following advice to volunteers who are using their vehicles to carry out their services:

  • Contact your insurer to find out if you are covered by your regular motor insurance policy.
  • Always include your volunteer driving miles when declaring your annual mileage to your insurer If you use a voluntary organisation’s vehicle for volunteer driving.
  •  You should be covered by the voluntary organisation’s insurance, but you MUST always check with each organisation to be sure.

Kris Barnard head of the Joint Roads and Armed Policing Team said: “If you do not have the correct insurance policy for your specific use of a vehicle, you are committing an offence and could be subject to a fine. Officers have the power to stop road users and are likely to question their necessity for travelling, advising accordingly. We may also undertake basic checks to see if you hold a valid license to drive and also that you have the correct insurance cover in place.”

Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Board (DASVB)

Domestic Abuse and Sexual Violence Board (DASVB) Chair Dr Gavin Thompson, Director of  Policy and Commissioning, Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner for Norfolk and Deputy Chair T/D/Superintendent Andrew Coller, Safeguarding and Investigations Command, Norfolk Constabulary   

We would like to draw your attention to two new free live chat facilities which are now available to those seeking assistance and support from online resources.  

Domestic Abuse 

The Pandora Project, which offers advice, support and information to adults and children affected by domestic abuse, working across West and North Norfolk, have launched a new on line live chat service to support victims of domestic abuse.

The service is currently available Monday to Friday, 1-3pm with 3 operators working simultaneously to offer advice and support around domestic abuse issues. 

All Victims of Crime

Victim Support launched its new Live Chat service on the 24th April 20. This 24/7 online support service will be available to all victims of crime in England and Wales. This will meet the support needs for all victims of crime such as those impacted by Hate CrimeScams & Fraud and Domestic Abuse. Visit www.victimsupport.org.uk/live-chat for more information.

Community coronavirus testing in Norfolk and Waveney now available to “key workers” (and/or household members with symptoms).

The NHS in Norfolk and Waveney is offering local coronavirus tests to key workers* such as teachers or food industry staff, to help them remain in work and continue to support their communities. This also applies to members of their household who may have coronavirus symptoms causing the key worker to self-isolate.

Testing will take place at three locations in Norfolk and Waveney:

· The Centrum centre, close to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH)

· The Queen Elizabeth Hospital, King’s Lynn (QEHKL)

· The James Paget University Hospital (JPUH) in Gorleston.

(See below if you would rather be tested at Ipswich, Stansted or Peterborough)

To book using the Norfolk and Waveney service:

People on the government key workers* list who need to be tested should ask their employer or line manager to register their organisation by emailing NorfolkRegistercovidtesting@nnuh.nhs.uk with their (employer) name, job title and contact number. The registration team at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital will then contact the employer to register their organisation so they their key workers can then book an appointment. The employer will be given a unique reference number and further instructions.

All applications will be checked to make sure people are well enough to attend a testing centre, and eligible for a test in line with Public Health England guidance.

People will receive their test results within 48 hours or less, either directly or via their employer’s occupational health service, together with initial advice about to what to do next.

Appointments at Ipswich, Stansted and Peterborough or other centres

If you wish to be tested at any of the national drive-through testing centres, such as Ipswich, Stansted, Peterborough and elsewhere, then you must use the national booking service. For self-referrals, this is via https://self-referral.test-for-coronavirus.service.gov.uk.

Who are key workers?

* Key workers include many people working in education, transport, many public services, energy, power and water/sewerage workers, and those working to provide, distribute or sell food. The precise definition is available on this government web page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested#key-workers.

Unwanted Sheets for NHS

Irmgard is now sewing for Norfolk Scrubs, and is wondering if anyone who has old cotton or poly-cotton sheets, duvet covers, pillow cases, curtains, etc they would like to give away? The NHS and other caring organisations are desperate for laundry bags, to carry contaminated clothing home for washing. They are trying desperately to supply them, and would be grateful for any offer. Thank you. 

Please email the Clerk with your telephone number if you are able to help and this will be passed to Irmgard.

Healthwatch Norfolk COVID-19 Survey

As urgent plans to support Norfolk’s population are rolled out across the county, it is important to understand patients’ reaction to these necessary service adaptations, as well as their receptiveness to information and messages being promoted by Norfolk’s health and care system. 

To facilitate this aim, we have launched a public survey which asks participants broadly about their experience of accessing information, care and support during the COVID-19 outbreak. The survey can be completed by anyone, but also contains specific questions around emergency support for our shielded population and those highlighted as clinically vulnerable.

As responses gather and trends start to emerge, we will report findings back to Norfolk’s ‘Recovery and Resilience Cell’ and will also ensure that partners from NHS trusts and the county’s clinical commissioners are aware of feedback.
We hasten to emphasise that we do not intend to criticize or penalise providers for their responses to dealing with this unprecedented public health emergency. Rather, we are aiming to solicit constructive information from service users that can provide real-time insight into community need, experience and awareness of available support.

In order to accurately represent Norfolk’s population in these challenging times, we are requesting support from our colleagues within the NHS, local authorities and third sector to help us reach as many people as possible by disseminating the survey throughout your networks.

The press release from Healthwatch Norfolk Ltd