Hereford Voice

Over £13million in grant funding has been paid to help support local businesses during the Coronavirus outbreak, and a further £2.7million is currently being processed – with a further 320 payments being made today. Due to the pandemic, businesses are operating through a period of unprecedented economic uncertainty. The Government recently announced a package of business support, and Herefordshire Council has been working to identify local businesses that will be eligible for grant funding. There is no need for businesses to contact us. We will be in contact with you directly and will work with you throughout this time. We appreciate that emails asking for bank details may be concerning, so we can provide your property reference number if required or we can send you a cheque if you provide the payee name on the business account.Cllr Ellie Chowns, Cabinet Member for Environment, Economy and Skills, said:

Breaking News: Prime Minister Boris Johnson moved to intensive care after condition worsens. The prime minister was admitted to St Thomas' Hospital in London on Sunday night - 10 days after testing positive for coronavirus - after continuing to display symptoms of COVID-19. He was initially admitted "as a precaution" but Mr Johnson's health has since deteriorated, Number 10 said. The prime minister has now asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab to deputise for him "where necessary". A Number 10 spokesman said: "Over the course of this afternoon, the condition of the prime minister has worsened and, on the advice of his medical team, he has been moved to the intensive care unit at the hospital. "The prime minister has asked Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab, who is the First Secretary of State, to deputise for him where necessary. "The prime minister is receiving excellent care, and thanks all NHS staff for their hard work and dedication." From Hereford Voice: Boris Johnson has given so much in such as short space of time to make this country a better, safer prosperous place. People of all political hues should be hoping and praying for his swift recovery. Stay strong Boris! You are one of our best Prime Ministers and your country and family need you sir!

A Dalek has been spotted patrolling the streets of a small village and ordering "all humans to self-isolate". In a video captured by amused residents, the Doctor Who villain passes through the deserted street while ordering people to comply with "the order of the Daleks". People across the UK have been urged by the government to stay at home and only leave the house for essential needs to help stop the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Video HERE

A wonderful tribute to the NHS embossed into the Hereford FC pitch. See the clubs message from their Twitter page below;

Herefordshire Council to re-open the Hillside Care Centre to support the NHS COVID-19 response Former rehabilitation unit at Redhill will reopen and will be used to support the NHS through the coronavirus outbreak A former Hereford rehabilitation centre will reopen to provide additional community services for the NHS and Herefordshire Council to use as part of the COVID-19 emergency response. The re-opening of the Hillside Care Centre is part of a strategic plan involving the council and other Herefordshire organisations to find suitable premises across the county. The 22 bed care unit will be made available to health and social care services with immediate effect to support during the coronavirus outbreak. Councillor Pauline Crockett, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Wellbeing said: The council will continue to explore redevelopment options for Hillside with a view to creating a high quality care facility that focuses on specialised long term care for older members of the community who are living with aged related conditions, including individuals diagnosed with dementia in the future.

A farmer in Devon has created a huge a tribute to the NHS into a field in support of the healthcare workers on the frontline against COVID-19. Matthew Alford had the idea at the end of last week after seeing other farmers in the country showing their thanks and decided that Devon needed something to show how grateful we are. Matthew, from South Molton, said: "I saw a farmer that did something in the midlands and thought Devon should do their bit for what's going on and had a bit of inspiration." How nice is this!

Virtual Tours: The British Museum. During this time when many people are staying at home, why not check out these virtual tours. We will publish a new virtual tour each day to keep you occupied while learning at the same time. British Museum Tour Here London's British Museum covers the history of cultures across the world. You can take a virtual walk through the museum at Google Arts & Culture, or take a look at this interactive timeline dating back to 2,000,000 BC, where you can select various artefacts that are housed in the museum and learn more about them through images, text and audio. Enjoy and share with your friends and family

We have received an upsetting message from Home Bargains shop worker Laura Tibbs explaining how people are abusing her and her colleagues following the implementation of social distancing procedures as outlined by the government. Come on guys' we desperately need these key workers! Please be patient and say 'Thank You' to these lovely people when you are out shopping. Thank you Laura and to your colleagues, as difficult as this is for you all the majority of the country are behind 100%.❤️ #HerefordVoice #BeKind

Coronavirus: Boris Johnson tests positive for COVID-19. The prime minster tweeted a video message confirming he had COVID-19, adding: "Over the last 24 hours I have developed mild symptoms and tested positive for coronavirus. "I am now self-isolating, but I will continue to lead the government's response via video-conference as we fight this virus. "Together we will beat this. #StayHomeSaveLives." #HerefordVoice

Coronavirus: James Dyson Confirms His Company Will Make An Initial Order Of 10,000 Ventilators In The U.K. CoVent: Dyson's ventilator The race to deliver much-needed ventilators to hospitals fighting coronavirus received welcome news today from British entrepreneur Sir James Dyson. A spokesman for Dyson confirmed to Forbes that an initial order of 10,000 units from the U.K. government has been placed, and work will begin immediately at the historic airforce base RAF Hullavington. Dyson confirmed in a letter, “Since I received a call from Boris Johnson, we have refocused resources at Dyson, and worked with TTP, The Technology Partnership, to design and build an entirely new ventilator, The CoVent.” Dyson adds that the new device can be manufactured “quickly, efficiently and at volume.” Adding that it is designed to address the specific clinical needs of COVID-19 patients. “The race is now on to get it into production,” Well done Dyson!! #HerefordVoice #Dyson #Herefordshire Source: Forbes

Rishi Sunak announces that the government will pay self-employed people a grant of 80% of their average wage based upon average earnings over the past 3 years, up to a maximum of £2,500 per month. This is available for the next 3 months and will be reviewed and possibly extended if required.

The government to provide immediate free car parking for NHS & social care staff for the duration of the Coronavirus crisis.

Breaking News: Prince Charles has tested positive for coronavirus. Photo courtesy of SkyNews Clarence House confirmed that the 71-year-old royal had been diagnosed with the COVID-19 disease in a statement released this morning. The heir to the throne is said to have displayed "mild symptoms" but "otherwise remains in good health", and has been self-isolating in Scotland with the Duchess of Cornwall - who has tested negative for coronavirus.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has used a national TV address to set out strict new measures aimed at protecting people from the coronavirus outbreak. This is his statement in full: We have also attached the PM's full speech in a PDF format. Prime Minister Boris Johnson Statement.pdf

Coronavirus: School closures at the end of the day (Friday) but parents with the following essential jobs can continue to send their children to school. The government has released a full list of workers deemed "essential" to the COVID-19 response below: The list has been separated into eight categories: Health and social care Includes frontline health and social care staff - such as doctors, nurses, midwives, paramedics, as well as support and specialist staff in the health and social care sector. In addition, those working in supply chains, including producers and distributors of medicines and personal protective equipment, are included. Education and childcare Includes nursery, teaching staff and social workers, as the department said these workers are required to deliver their plans. Key public services Those required to run the justice system, religious staff, as well as those responsible for managing the deceased and journalists providing public service broadcasting are on the list. Local and national government The list "only includes administrative occupations essential to the effective delivery of the COVID-19 response or delivering essential public services", including payment of benefits. Food and other necessary goods Includes those involved in the production, processing, distribution, sale and delivery of food. Public safety and national security Police, support staff, Ministry of Defence civilian staff and armed forces personnel are on the list, along with fire and rescue staff, as well as those responsible for border security, prison and probation staff. Transport Includes those who will keep "air, water, road and rail passenger and freight transport modes operating during the COVID-19 response". Utilities, communication and financial services Staff required to keep oil, gas, electricity, water and sewerage operations running are on the list, along with those in the civil nuclear, chemical and telecommunications sectors. Those in postal services and working to provide essential financial services provision are also included. The parents of vulnerable children are the other group of people allowed to continue sending their children to school. The government says this group will include those who have a social worker and those with Education, Health and Care Plans - a legal document that describes a child's special educational needs and the support they require. Many schools in England will shut their gates on Friday until further notice, as will nurseries, colleges and childminders. In Scotland and Wales, all schools will have closed by Friday, and schools in Northern Ireland are due to shut from Monday.

The Power of Social Distancing: The steps we take as individuals will limit the impact on the #NHS in the coming weeks. It may seem like you are doing nothing by staying at home 'where possible' but in fact this is the most important thing you can do to reduce the spread of the Coronavirus. If you need to work or have to leave your home for shopping etc please take sensible precautions and 'WASH YOUR HANDS REGULAR' however, If you do not need to go out, stay home folks. #HerefordVoice #Coronavirus

Breaking News: The education secretary Gavin Williamson has just announced in the House of Commons that ALL schools in ENGLAND will CLOSE at the end of the day on Friday until further notice.

PM tells Britons to avoid pubs, restaurants and non-essential travel. The government is now going to be holding daily televised news conferences concerning coronavirus, and today was the first one. The prime minister told a Downing Street news conference the number of coronavirus cases in the UK could now double every five or six days without "drastic action". "Today, we need to go further," Mr Johnson said, as he explained how the country now appeared to be approaching a "fast growth" period in the spread of COVID-19 - the prevalent strain of coronavirus.

Hereford River Carnival have announced their decision to postpone this year's event and move it from May to September 4. A message on their Facebook Page:

The B4224 road, from Fiddler’s Green to Fownhope, was severely damaged by Storm Dennis Although Herefordshire Council hope that their contractors will be able to repair and reopen the road much sooner, works may take until the end of September, inspections carried out last week reveal. The B4224 was dealt a double blow by the storm, which caused a 6.5 metre wide landslip and a separate partial collapse of a 100-metre long retaining wall. Safety and structural inspections of the road took place last week with BT Openreach, Cadent and Western Power Distribution also checking their services that run along it. BT Openreach will need to move two supply cables across the landslip. Only then can work to remove approximately 4,000 tonnes of loose material begin. This will require around 400 lorry journeys alone, before new material is brought to site to reconstruct the road. Some further investigations and specialist surveys also need to take place prior to the commencement of reconstruction work and these will take place within the next two weeks.Clive Hall, Acting Assistant Director of Highways and Transport at Herefordshire Council said: Herefordshire Council is expediting repairs to the B4224 from within its own reserves and will seek, in due course, to recover funding from central Government through flood-related Bellwin Funding or other sources. Diversion routes signposting access routes into the village for through traffic are now operating and their condition will be regularly inspected and monitored to ensure effectiveness. Diversion routes do differ for small vehicles and HGV’s. Motorists are being urged not to put themselves at risk of injury by attempting to drive along closed roads. Anyone with questions can call the Customer Services Team on 01432 261800.

Joint statement on confirmed COVID-19 case in Herefordshire Herefordshire Council, PHE and the NHS are well prepared to deal with coronavirus Sue Ibbotson, Centre Director, Public Health England West Midlands, said: Karen Wright, Director of Public Health for Herefordshire Council, said:

Here is another in Bridge Street Hereford

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Herefordshire Council requests “vital support” from government following floods. Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the immediate cost of repairs following Storm Dennis to be around £10m Herefordshire Council has written a letter to Prime Minister Boris Johnson to request an extension to the Bellwin scheme and to request further “vital support” from central government following February’s unprecedented flood events. The letter dated 28 February 2020 was signed by Herefordshire Council’s Chief Executive Alistair Neill, Leader of the Council Councillor David Hitchiner and Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport Councillor John Harrington. In the letter, it was stated that the cost of repairs following Storm Dennis is currently estimated to be around £10m. A three month extension to the Bellwin period has been requested to account for the scale of flooding and assessing its impact. As of 3 March 2020, 405 residential and 102 business properties are understood to have been affected by February’s flood event. It was argued that the government could do more to support the recovery operation and the financial consequences of responding to the major incident caused by widespread flooding. Chief Executive of Herefordshire Council, Alistair Neill, said: Leader of Herefordshire Council, Councillor David Hitchiner, said: Councillor John Harrington, Cabinet Member for Infrastructure and Transport, said: The open letter to the Prime Minister is attached Letter to Boris Johnson Feb 2020.pdf