Dom delivering food parcels to the elderly and vulnerable with Jenny French from East Elmbridge Foodbank and Alex Munro, the Curate at St Peter's in West Molesey.
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The Coronavirus pandemic continues to present us with one of the biggest challenges we have faced as a country in decades.
The government’s action plan aims to slow the spread of the virus – so that fewer people need hospital treatment, thereby protecting the NHS from being overwhelmed. At every stage, the government has followed the scientific and medical advice that we have received, so that we take the right steps at the right time.
On 16 April, I made the further announcement that these 'social distancing' measures must remain in place for at least a further three weeks. If we let up now, we would risk a second spike in the virus - which would be damaging for public health, and lead to a second lockdown which would prolong the economic pain. Bank of England Governor, Andrew Bailey, made the same point this week.
I appreciate that Coronavirus is already causing significant economic disruption, which is why the government has introduced unprecedented measures to support businesses and incomes.
I am encouraged by the difference these measures are making locally. In Elmbridge alone, almost £16 million in government-funded grants had been distributed to Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs) by 22 April. On top of this, changes that the government has made to business rates relief will see Elmbridge businesses receiving a £27.5 million discount this tax year. Details of all the government support available – and how you can access it – are available here.
Beyond the domestic impact, coronavirus has also presented a real difficulties for British travellers stranded overseas. In my role as Foreign Secretary, I have been focused on getting them back home.
The Foreign Office has been working around the clock, with foreign governments and airlines. So far, we have helped more than a million British citizens return home on commercial flights. We’ve also agreed a special charter deal with airlines, which has enabled us to return thousands more.
I have also been focusing on helping those who are facing difficulties locally, particularly the elderly and vulnerable. I recently joined up with Jenny French from the East Elmbridge Foodbank and Alex Munro, the Curate at St Peter’s in West Molesey, to deliver food parcels – following strict guidelines for doing so safely. These were taken to people who need them and either can’t or would struggle to get hold of them through other means. You can read more about this on my blog here.
I also visited the local Covid-19 ‘Hot Hub’ at Giggs Hills Surgery, while observing social distancing, to hear from Dr Strickland and Dr Kapoor. The ‘Hot Hub’ is serving as a triage centre for patients across East Elmbridge who may be suffering from Coronavirus. It is for the most ill patients who require a face to face consultation, and will help to reduce the risk of infection to all patients and staff. You can read more on my blog here.
Local initiatives like these show how our local communities are pulling together, and I will continue to volunteer locally – at a safe social distance – in the weeks ahead. If you are interested in helping out locally, and are able to do so safely, you can register your interest with Central Surrey Voluntary Action, here.
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