Statement from Lucille Thompson, Leader of Winchester City Council

“Thank you to everybody in our district for your patience and understanding in these difficult times. Winchester City Council is working with all our partners in national government, local health and public sector services, as well as local charitable, faith and voluntary groups, to prepare and respond to the challenges we face. 

These are challenging and difficult times but Winchester is a great place to live, work and raise a family and we are a caring community. I know with us all working together this will remain the case.

Our national medical experts have set out a series of measures to curb the spread of COVID-19 (Coronavirus). This guidance continues to change in what is clearly a fast moving situation. We are working with partner agencies to assess in detail what this means for people and businesses across the district. Our shared goal is to safeguard the health and wellbeing of our communities, and to support the national plan to tackle the pandemic – taking extra care of the most vulnerable people amongst us.  

Our key priorities are as follows:

  • We are ramping up our plans to maintain critical frontline services, especially those that may in the coming months face extra demand or additional operational challenges.
  • Individuals or groups who are identified as most at risk from COVID-19 will remain a key focus in all we do.
  • It is clear that these unprecedented measures being taken to protect our health, are causing extreme uncertainty and pressures for many local businesses, charities and other organisations. We will strive to offer leadership, support and guidance.
  • Many communities and individuals are already taking practical action to be ready to help their neighbours and those who may need extra support in the coming months. We will work to enable, coordinate and support this grassroots activity.

Over this extraordinary period, Winchester City Council wants to reassure you that we are committed to working on your behalf, and to represent the needs of everyone who lives and works in our district.”

The latest updates and key public information will be posted here and on social media.

Winchester City Council is working closely with Hampshire County Council, Public Health England, local NHS partners and other agencies and bodies to ensure we are all well prepared as the situation develops.

Our priority is to ensure critical local services to Winchester residents are maintained and that we are signposting people to the most up-to-date official sources of information and advice.

To access the NHS advice click here: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

For a wide range of guidance and advice click here: https://www.hants.gov.uk/socialcareandhealth/coronavirus