Everyone in Hartlepool must 'step up to the plate' - council chief's message as 'major incident' declared in town

They have also reassured residents there is no need for panic buying and urged them to be responsible.

It comes after Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined strict new measures to tackle the spread of coronavirus.

Hartlepool Borough Council’s leader, chief executive and director of adult and community based services have provided a video update on measures taken to date in the town.

Council leader Coun Shane Moore praised the fantastic efforts made by staff and urged everyone in the town to work together.

He said: “This is a serious and unprecedented situation that we all face.

“We’ve declared a major incident and we’re having to focus our resources on continuing with essential services.

“There’s been a fantastic effort put in so far from council staff and volunteers. I’d like to thank them all very much for the amazing work that they’ve been doing over the past week or more, it hasn’t been easy.

“We’re enormously grateful to the work that the NHS and all of our frontline services are providing in the Covid-19 response.

“We really need everybody in Hartlepool to step up to the plate and take this epidemic seriously, we need you to stay at home, we need you to look after your loved ones and we need you to take the advice that’s been given.”

Coun Moore also referenced the ‘difficult decisions’ taken so far by the council, including closing public buildings, open spaces, parks and play areas, as well as suspending the brown bin collection.

Chief Executive Gill Alexander highlighted the importance of social distancing and urged residents not to panic buy.

She said: “We should not underestimate the significance of the challenge that we face, it is enormous.

“Probably one of the most important things we can do however is to make sure that we all work together to reduce the risk to life in this town and in this borough.

“One of the most important things that we can do as a community and as a council and with our partners is to follow the advice to follow social distancing measures.

“I also want to say something about panic buying. There’s no need to do it. Food supplies are secure, there is enough supply, there is enough for everybody, the problem is people are taking more than they need.”

She also urged residents to continue following advice regarding washing hands and not touching their face, and to self isolate for 14 days if they develop a cough.

Director of adult and community based services Jill Harrison pointed to the newly set up Hartlepool Support Hub and urged anyone in need of support to contact them.

She said: “Remember even if you are self isolating, you’re not alone. We’re here to support you, we want people to stay at home, but we also want people to stay safe, to stay well and stay connected.”

The Hartlepool Support Hub will offer information and advice, emotional support, delivery of shopping, newspapers and prescriptions; and links to other additional services which are offering support.

A leaflet advertising the hub will be posted to all residents in Hartlepool.

People can contact the Hub by telephoning 01429 272905 (10am-4pm Mondays to Fridays and 10am-12 noon on Saturdays) or emailing [email protected]

There is also information available at www.hartlepoolnow.co.uk – Hartlepool’s existing local help and support website, which can also be downloaded as an App.

The full video update can be viewed online at www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AzswS68i4g by residents.