Home COVID-19 Response

Horley Town Council Offices

These Offices are now open again. We aim to have a staff member present in the office every day, Monday to Friday, between our core opening hours of 10am to 4pm but this will be subject to ongoing public health guidelines to prevent the spread of Coronavirus.

Alternatively, you can make a prior appointment by calling 01293 784765.

For out of hours emergencies concerning our playground and recreation grounds please call 07597 682360

Entry to the Council Offices will be restricted to one person or small groups at a time in order to comply with social distancing rules. On arrival, visitors will be asked to provide their contact details for the NHS Test & Trace Programme. All visitors will be asked to use the hand sanitiser placed at the entrances.

Please do not come to our offices if you are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms in the interests of public health and safety.

Council Offices & Edmonds Hall Risk Assessment

Court Lodge Football Matches Risk Assessment

Coronaviruses can be spread when people with the virus have close, sustained contact with people who are not infected. This typically means spending more than 15 minutes within two metres of an infected person, such as talking to someone for instance.

The more you come into contact with the droplets from coughs and sneezes of an infected person, the more likely you are to catch the infection. This is why we ask people who have the infection to self-isolate at home and not to go out and about where they can pass it on.

Staying Safe Outside your Home

The Government has published the following advice on how to stay safe when outside your home:

1. Keep your distance from people outside your household or support bubble;

2. Avoid being face-to-face with people if they are outside your household or support bubble;

3. Keep your hands and face as clean as possible;

4. Keep indoor places well ventilated;

5. Avoid crowded spaces;

6. Work from home if you can;

7. If you have to travel (for example, to work or school), think about how and when you travel. Walk or cycle wherever possible and avoid peak times if using public transport;

8. Face coverings: You must wear a face covering at all times on public transport or when attending a hospital as a visitor or outpatient. Hospitals will be able to provide a face covering in emergencies. Face masks will also be compulsory in shops and supermarkets from July 24. Anyone who fails to adhere to the new rules will face a £100 fine;

9. Avoid shouting or singing close to people outside your household or support bubble;

10. Reduce the number of people you spend time with in a work setting;

11. Wash your clothes regularly; and

12. When at work or in business or public premises, follow the advice on site.

For further details about how to stay safe outside your home, please see the Government’s advice on Gov.uk

So I don’t need to stay at home anymore?

On 19 June, the UK CMOs changed the COVID-19 alert level from level four to level three following recommendation by the Joint Biosecurity Centre. This means that the virus is considered to be in general circulation but transmission is no longer high or rising exponentially. As a result, you are less likely to encounter the virus when you leave your home.

However, bear in mind that the more people you have interactions with, the more chance the virus has to spread. Therefore, try to limit the number of people you see especially over short periods of time.

For more information about Gatherings, Public Spaces, Activities, and which Businesses will be reopening in the near future, visit the relevant page on the Government’s website.

What should I do if I think I have the virus?

The most important symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following:

a new continuous cough;
a high temperature; and
a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia).

If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), however mild, OR you have received a positive coronavirus (COVID-19) test result, the clear medical advice is to immediately self-isolate at home for at least 7 days from when your symptoms started. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy, or hospital. You should arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19 which can be arranged here.

Consider alerting people who you do not live with and have had close contact within the last 48 hours to let them know you have symptoms of coronavirus COVID-19.

After 7 days, or longer, if you still have symptoms other than cough or loss of sense of smell/taste, you must continue to self-isolate until you feel better.

Staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection that people in your household could pass on to others in the community.

The Government has published more comprehensive advice about what to do if you think you’ve have caught the virus which is well worth reading.

Scam Protection Advice

There are increasing reports of criminals using concerns around Coronavirus to scam people, for example by knocking on doors to offer to purchase shopping or gaining access to properties or by claiming to be performing a deep-clean.

If you hear of anyone being scammed or threatened please encourage them to report it to Action Fraud. It is important that the Police are made aware so they can build accurate data around areas where scammers are operating.

Volunteering

Anyone who wishes to volunteer in response to the Covid-19 outbreak can register with Voluntary Action Reigate & Banstead (VARB).

Any organisation providing support in response to the Covid-19 outbreak should provide their details. These will be used to map services and ensure they receive updated information and support.

Advice and support for business owners

Employers that want to reopen their business have a legal responsibility to protect their employees and other people on site. To help identify what actions you or your workplace should take the Government has created an online questionnaire. This only takes a minute to fill in and will direct you to the most useful and up-to-date guidance.

The Government has recently launched the Recovery Advice for Business scheme, supported by the government and hosted on the Enterprise Nation website, which will give small firms access to free, one-to-one advice with an expert adviser to help them through the coronavirus pandemic and to prepare for long-term recovery. To access this platform visit Enterprise Nation here.

If your business provides accommodation, or you work for an accommodation provider, the Government has published specific advice that affects you industry. Read the Government’s advice for accommodation providers here.

Reigate and Banstead Borough Council is also providing a range of useful support to local business owners, which can be found on their website.

Public Information – Useful Links

The latest NHS information

The latest Government Information and Advice

Public Health England’s advice for Mental Wellbeing during the pandemic

The Government’s Coronavirus Action Plan

Government Advice for Businesses

Stay up-to-date with the government information as it comes out with the Government’s Covid-19 Alerts.

Gatwick Airport Passenger Information

Surrey County Council

Surrey County Council’s Covid-19 Information page

Surrey County Council’s Community and Welfare guidance