Great news as support bubbles announced, high streets are re-opening and celebrating our carers #EssexUnites
Roger welcomes the latest announcements from the Prime Minister as well as reminding everyone to look out for each other as our high streets re-open. He also praises the work of the county’s carers as we celebrate National Carers Week.
Billericay Firefighter Scott Draper gets a special mention after he helped to deliver a baby whilst volunteering as an ambulance driver.
Roger has a fortnightly briefing with Kit Malthouse MP, Minister for Policing and the Fire Service. He also receives regular updates from leaders from Essex Police and Essex County Fire and Rescue Service.
A transcript of the message is available below.
You can view the message here:
Hello, I’m Roger Hirst, your Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner.
We’ve had some great news this week from the Prime Minister, aiming to help those who are on their own who can now form support bubbles with other households. That will be welcome to so many of you who have been isolated and lonely and struggling with childcare and working from home. But please do read the guidance carefully, see how this will work – we’ll post some links on our social media feeds so please keep an eye out for those.
The announcement is very timely given we are coming to the end of National Carers Week and so many of you, unsung heroes, out caring for elderly family members or children or relatives suffering from illnesses or complex needs. This lockdown will have meant that many of your support networks have been unavailable to you. Your efforts have not gone unnoticed and you are doing a wonderful job.
As of Monday, more news, high streets and more businesses will be reopening. Each of our local councils has a plan to get their local businesses back up and running as safely as possible. Please again, look at the guidance in your area. Essex Police officers of course will be using the Four E’s approach of Engage, Explain, Encourage and only Enforcement as a last resort to make sure people comply with the guidance that needs to be in place.
And even though our high streets and public transport will be up and running, things will be very different from how they used to be before the pandemic. Please remember it is down to all of us to make this work and avoid a new wave of the virus. Don’t be a link in the chain of transmission. Take your time, be careful, stay safe. Please help everyone and your own communities by following the guidance, keeping your distance, using face coverings when you are advised to, wash your hands and pay attention to cleanliness, and above all, keep looking out for each other.
To end on a happy note. I heard a great story this week. Well done to Billericay Firefighter Scott Draper who helped to welcome a baby girl into the world. Little Zowie decided to make her entrance at home before Scott and his paramedic colleague Sue could get her mum to hospital. You can read the full story on the fire service website. Well done everyone. Remember Stay Alert, Control the Virus and Save Lives.
Thank You.
