Coronavirus: Portsmouth council sets out plan to keep vulnerable residents safe

Portsmouth City Council today announced its 12-point plan to reduce the spread of Covid-19, with some employees staying at home and others switching teams to keep essential services covered.

Front-line services such as social care and housing will be a priority and already 35 beds at an existing care home have been earmarked to relieve pressure at QA Hospital.

Council leader Councillor Gerald Vernon-Jackson said: 'At the moment the decision of the council is to just run the critical things. We will just do what is needed.

'We've started reducing the number of people in the civic buildings and sending staff home.

'The people of this city are our utmost priority and we are committed to reducing the chance of residents becoming infected with the virus and providing whatever support we can to those that do.'

He believed the city would rally round at this time.

'When there's a snow day we know people in Portsmouth are really good at rallying around and being flexible,' he said.

'The council will also be like that. If you have to be at home and don't have anyone to help we will do your shopping.

'If that means we don't have people putting out parking tickets so we can make sure that people are supported at home then so be it. It's the right thing to do.'

The council's health and wellbeing portfolio holder, Cllr Matt Winnington, explained that social distancing rather than complete isolation would be more appropriate for those not at immediate risk.

He said: 'Social distancing – it's not about you can't go outside, actually going outside is something we are encouraging because it's good to get fresh air and exercise.

'I have chronic asthma and I am going to avoid shops, restaurants and any pubs. But I will still go out for walks and maybe to use my bike.'

Other steps taken by the council include setting up a helpline for residents to provide medical advice, co-ordinating volunteers using the Hive to help the vulnerable, removing time limits on concessionary bus passes to allow people to shop earlier and looking to provide free food for children who receive free school meals if schools close.

Extra cleaning of council buildings including care homes is also being carried out.

Currently it is not known how much financial support the council will receive from government.

Cllr Vernon-Jackson said: 'We have written to government about funding. But we do have contingency funds, and this is exactly the kind of things contingency is there for.'

At the moment it is planned only essential council meetings will be held although this could change according to government advice.

A full list of council services to be closed has yet to be finalised.

All proposals set out by the council could change depending on government advice. To keep up to date check the Portsmouth council website daily.

Around 4,000 staff work for the council.