Health and care workers are the frontline of the country’s response to the coronavirus pandemic. Along with other businesses, we are keen to do all that we can to support doctors, nurses and care workers to respond safely.

To help, we are providing personal protective equipment (PPE), where we can, to priorities established by the Cumbria Resilience Forum.

Initially, we are donating items including 2500 disposable respirators; around 500 suits, gowns and lab coats and several hundred pairs of gloves.

As we better understand our own need, we are likely to be able to make more equipment available. The protective equipment comes from Sellafield Ltd, contractors and suppliers.

It can be spared without impacting on nuclear safety or emergency preparedness. It would ordinarily be used to support the delivery of work and projects on the Sellafield site. Much of this work has been temporarily paused while the country focuses on responding to the pandemic.

Mark Neate, Director of Environment, Safety and Security said:

As the largest employer in West Cumbria, we are doing all we can to support the community response to the pandemic.

It became clear that one of the simplest and most effective things we could do would be to share personal protective equipment. This will enable doctors, nurses and others on the frontline to do their essential work to care for those who are or may be suffering.

We are working with other key partners and businesses in Cumbria to ensure that our response is coordinated with everyone else’s. This includes the blue light services, councils, and business networks. Working together ensures that resources are prioritised to where there is the greatest need.

Mark added:

I am delighted to see how community agencies, businesses and charities are all working together, along with the public, to help address the impact of coronavirus. This is the community spirit we are used to in Cumbria.

Businesses and organisations who have a request for PPE should contact the Multi-Agency Support Team in the first instance. This group is coordinating requests. email mast@cumbria.gov.uk.

Companies who have spare PPE they would like to donate can also contact the MAST by email.

The team is unable to respond to requests from individuals.

The outbreak of coronavirus (COVID-19) is causing unprecedented disruption to public services, businesses and individuals across the country.

The majority of our employees are equipped to work from home and are doing so to avoid unnecessary travel and social contact. We are operating as close to normal as possible and are prioritising work related to coronavirus.

We are working hard to manage queries online and via email, but it is taking longer than usual to respond to customers. We would like to apologise to anyone who might be affected by changes to our services.

Support for ratepayers

The Government has published guidance for employees, employers and businesses, including a 12-month business rates holiday for certain sectors of businesses in England and a package of funding and loans. Further support has also been announced for certain small businesses previously outside the scope of the business grant funds scheme.

Any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of the reliefs should be directed to your local council. The Welsh Government has also published guidance for businesses in Wales.

Please note we are currently unable to offer telephone support or accept hardcopy post. If you need to contact us please use the Contact Form, which also contains links to useful self-help guidance. It is taking us longer than usual to respond to customers but please be assured that we will get back to you as soon as we can.

We provide a range of reasonable adjustments to customers where they are required. Customers can let us know through the Contact Form or ask a friend or family member to complete on their behalf.

Face-to-face appointments

Property inspections are being put on pause and we are focusing on gathering the information we need remotely, where it does not add an additional burden on our customers.

We are unable to accommodate requests to view hard copy rental information we hold, such as Rent and Lease Details, Forms of Return and proposal forms.

Penalties

We are cancelling outstanding penalties in regards to non-compliance with requests for rent, lease or ownership details. For hardship cases, we are being as flexible as we can with customers when we require information.

Keeping you updated

We continue to monitor this situation as it develops and will publish any new or updated guidance.

The Government Actuary’s Department (GAD) has helped to develop a new toolkit for analysts. The Uncertainty Toolkit for Analysts in Government is for use when they’re confronted by a problem that includes elements of uncertainty.

GAD worked with 8 other government departments and a public sector organisation to develop and refine the advice and guidance.

Step by step

The toolkit’s structure means that it breaks down the process of conducting analysis involving uncertainty into a 4-step process:

• agreeing how uncertainty should be used to help answer the question
• defining and identifying uncertainty
• measuring and understanding uncertainty
• presenting and communicating uncertainty

For each step the toolkit guides the analyst with examples and explanations. It provides key points to consider and suggestions of actions to take.

Uncertainty and analysis

Most of the projects that government analysts work on contain inherent uncertainty. Analysis should be conducted taking this uncertainty into account.

The results of the analysis need to be communicated to decision-makers in government in a clear way to ensure the nature of the uncertainty and subsequent results are understood.

The toolkit helps analysts to do this, and in doing so is designed to ensure that properly informed decisions can be made.

Working together

Scott Waygood, who leads on this project in GAD said: “The development of this toolkit has really been a great collaboration by people in a wide range of government departments and other organisations.

“We’ve brought together evidence and best practice from across the analytical community, both within and outside of government, and we’ll continue to work on improving the guidance in response to feedback we’ve received.”

The toolkit, which is an ongoing project, is the result of extensive research and discussions around good practice for dealing with and communicating uncertainty.

This guidance sets out the key principles of enjoying the benefits of being outside, while protecting yourself and others from coronavirus.

The risk of the coronavirus being passed on to others outdoors is considered to be low as long as people maintain social distancing.

In England you can leave your home to exercise and spend time outdoors for recreation with your household or in groups of up to six people from outside your household.

When travelling to outdoor spaces, it is important that people respect the rules in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Do not travel to different parts of the UK where it would be inconsistent with guidance or regulations issued by the relevant devolved administration.

In England, you can now:

• spend time outdoors, including exercise, as long as you continue to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines with people from outside your household
• take part in other outdoor sports and activities, including fishing, in groups of up to six people, or household groups, provided you adhere to strict social distancing guidelines
• drive to outdoor open spaces, including beaches and beauty spots, irrespective of distance – you should travel in a private vehicle, alone or with members of your own household. You should avoid public transport other than for essential journeys.
• visit gardens, nature reserves and parkland to spend time outdoors, although access may be limited to members or those with tickets to ensure social distancing and buildings and amenities such as cafes will remain closed. You should check ahead and follow social distancing guidelines.
• go swimming in either lakes or the sea for exercise or recreation provided that social distancing guidelines are observed – you cannot use public indoor and outdoor swimming pools
• take part in all forms of water sports practised on open waterways, including sailing, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, kayaking, surfing, paddle-boarding and the use of privately-owned motorised craft (in line with the guidance issued by the relevant navigation authority)
• you can continue to use towpaths for walking, running and cycling, being mindful of other users and people living in boats along the water

There are no restrictions on how far you can travel to get to the countryside. However you can not stay overnight. Campsites and caravan parks are closed and you cannot stay in a holiday or second home.

To stay safe, you must:

• take hygiene precautions when you are outside
• wash your hands as soon as you are back indoors
• keep at least two metres apart from anyone outside your household at all times
• take hand sanitiser with you when you set off in case there are no handwashing facilities

Respect other people and protect the natural environment

Remember your actions can affect people’s lives and livelihoods. Take the time to read signage. Respect the measures that local authorities and site management have put in place to help ensure social distancing.

Before travelling, you should check if facilities, such as car parks, are open to visitors. Do not park on verges or block gates. This restricts access for other vehicles.

When in the countryside, follow the Countryside Code. You can do this by:

• leaving no trace of your visit and taking all of your litter home
• not using barbecues as they risk causing wildfires
• keeping dogs under effective control and on a lead when you are around farm animals – read further guidance for pet owners
• leaving gates as you find them and following instructions on signs
• keeping to footpaths and following signs where they suggest alternative routes

Wildlife may have moved into areas where it hasn’t previously been found, including nesting birds. Land managers may have taken action to provide extra protection of wildlife. Be vigilant and comply with these protective measures to ensure you do not disrupt the local wildlife.

Advice to land managers and landowners

You will need to take account of Working safely during COVID-19 in construction and other outdoor work.

You can also draw on the government’s guidance for Safer Public Places during Coronavirus. We recognise however that some of it is more relevant for urban areas and that different approaches may sometimes be required when managing access to land in the countryside.

It may not be practical to clean regularly all gates and stiles. You can display signs at access points reminding the public of the need to take hygiene precautions and wash hands regularly. Land managers may also wish to consider tying gates open if it is safe to do so, so that walkers do not need to touch the gate.

Landowners do not have the legal right to block or obstruct public rights of way or open access land. However, in circumstances where large numbers of people are using such routes, landowners may consider the following measures:

• temporarily displaying polite notices that encourage users to respect local residents and workers by following social distancing guidelines and consider using alternative routes that do not pass through gardens, farmyards or schools
• offering an alternative route around gardens and farmyards where it is safe to do so (you must gain permission from relevant landowners and make sure the route is safe for users and livestock) provided that the original right of way is maintained
• where footpaths are narrow and it is difficult as a result to abide by social distancing guidelines you may wish to consider putting up signage warning people