From Saturday 26 December, Basingstoke and Deane will be in Tier 4: stay at home restrictions. This follows the Prime Minister’s announcement of the introduction of tighter COVID-19 restrictions to help curb the spread of a new variant of coronavirus in some parts of the country and is a reflection of the seriousness of the situation, and the rapidly rising infection rates across our county, as well as the impact on our local hospitals.
Maria Miller MP said, “Rates of infection have risen rapidly in the South East in recent days and rapid action is needed to ensure our local Hospitals can continue to have the capacity to care for those who need help in the coming weeks. Every single one of us has a personal responsibility to do everything we can to beat this virus and from Boxing Day that means stay at home except in those very specific circumstances set out in the Government’s Guidance, including seeking medical help, shopping for food or going to work where it is not possible to work from home.”
The Christmas holidays can be particularly challenging time for residents who may be at home alone. If any constituents need help or support over the festive period Hampshire County Council’s Connect to Support website provides a one-stop-shop of helpful guidance ranging from helplines open over the festive period, to advice on keeping your home warm. The Hampshire Coronavirus Support and Helpline can offer advice, information and support to anyone in need including if they are unwell from Covid-19 or self-isolating. Call 0333 370 4000 (calls charged at local rate)"
Hampshire Coronavirus Support and Helpline Opening Hours -
Christmas Eve – 9am to 5pm
Christmas Day – closed
Boxing Day - Saturday 26 December – 10am to 3pm
Sunday 27 December – 10am to 3pm
Bank Holiday Monday 28 December – 10am to 3pm
Tuesday 29 December – Thursday 31 December – 9am to 5pm
Friday 1 January – closed
Saturday 2 January/Sunday 3 January – 10am to 3pm
From Monday 4 January usual operating hours Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm and Friday 9am to 4.30pm
The helpline will resolve complex cases and the community hubs in the borough, coordinated through Basingstoke Voluntary Action (BVA) with support from the Borough Council, are on standby for any emergency requests for help with getting food or prescriptions for people who are isolating over the Christmas break.
Hampshire Coronavirus Helpline has been working closely with supermarkets to support people who are clinically extremely vulnerable to request food deliveries. If you know of someone who is clinically extremely vulnerable and is experiencing issues in getting a delivery slot, please get them to call the helpline. People who are struggling to pay for food should also contact the helpline. The advice is for people to prepare in advance for Christmas as much as possible.