Braintree District Council has been putting plans in place for the continued provision of key services.
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement that England will enter into a second national lockdown from Thursday 5 November, Braintree District Council has been putting plans in place for the continued provision of key services.
The second national lockdown doesn’t involve the same level of restrictions introduced in March and most of Braintree District Council’s services will remain in operation.
Residents are reassured that bin and recycling collections will still take place as usual; the garden waste collection service will be suspended during the winter months as normal. Residents are advised to check their collection calendar or view it online www.braintree.gov.uk/collectioncalendar.
All play areas will remain open.
Council-owned public toilets at Lockram Lane and Maldon Road in Witham will remain open.
There are some services that will need to be adapted or temporarily paused for the duration of the national lockdown in order to adhere to new guidelines:
1. Braintree District Council’s Causeway House building will remain open for visitors by appointment only for access to critical services. Braintree Town Hall and Braintree Enterprise Centre will be closed.
2. All four Fusion leisure centres across the district will be temporarily closed.
3. The weekly markets in Braintree and Witham will remain open, but only with stalls selling essential food and groceries.
4. Outdoor gyms will be temporarily closed.
Councillor Graham Butland, Leader of Braintree District Council, said: “We are doing everything we can to ensure vital services remain available to our residents through these national restrictions. I know it will be tough for many, but to save lives and get things back to normal as quickly as possible, it’s important that we all play our part, stick to the rules and stay at home, continue to wash our hands regularly, wear a face covering in enclosed spaces and stay 2 metres apart. At the moment we have the lowest infection rate in the county – let’s keep it that way for our families, our friends and our community.”
Further guidance and updates on any changes to other services will also be shared via Braintree District Council’s website www.braintree.gov.uk/coronavirus and social media channels when it is available.
Residents are encouraged to visit www.braintree.gov.uk/coronavirus in the first instance if they have any queries as website content is being regularly updated as and when new guidance is received.