August 7: Coronavirus (Covid-19) update from Stockton-on-Tees Borough Council

We continue to provide weekly updates on the last working day of the week and our main focus is on keeping you informed of changes to services.

Of course, should there be any urgent or significant news to communicate in the meantime we will do this via the Council's news pages and social media channels.

Face coverings at funeral services, weddings and civil partnership ceremonies

I am very sorry to inform people that we must follow national public health guidelines and put in place some further restrictions relating to funerals. In line with recently announced Government guidance, people attending funeral services at the crematorium will be required to wear face coverings from tomorrow (August 8). The guidance also applies to people attending weddings and civil partnership ceremonies.

To help people who may not have access to a printer we have produced a supply of these cards and they are available for people to pick up at the libraries in Billingham, Norton, Stockton, Thornaby Central and Yarm.

Reopening of Tees Active swimming pools

Swimming pools in all of Tees Active's leisure facilities will reopen from Monday (August 10), including the one at the brand new IB Leisure in Ingleby Barwick. Of course, the centres are operating in a different way to keep everybody safe and you'll need to book a swim session in advance.

Help for the vulnerable and elderly

Vulnerable and elderly residents can continue to get help from the 'COVID Community Support Team', a partnership between the Council, Catalyst and the Borough's brilliant VCSE organisations. The team is only an email or phone call away and can help with food deliveries, shopping and picking up prescriptions, or making sure people who are self-isolating and may be worried or lonely get the right support they need.

The team operates Monday to Friday and phone lines are open 9am to 2pm. You can email covidcommunitysupport@catalyststockton.org for assistance or call 01642 524500 .

Stay safe

It's vitally important we remain vigilant and continue to follow the national guidance to minimise the risk of the virus spreading.

COVID-19 has not gone away, and while our rates are low at the moment they will only stay that way if we all do our bit.

Things like social distancing, wearing face coverings and hand washing only work effectively as a preventative measure when all of us follow the guidance.

I urge you all to please play your part and help us be in a stronger position in our fight against COVID-19.

Protecting each other, and particularly our most vulnerable residents, is still of paramount importance.

Keep informed

Remember, you can keep up with all Coronavirus (COVID-19) related developments in the Borough, including details of the range of support available, via our webpage Stockton Borough Council.