Warrington Borough Council, with Cheshire East Council and Cheshire West and Chester Council, has written to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care to request additional resources and measures to deal with COVID-19.
The councils have worked together on a detailed document setting out what is necessary to bring the outbreak under control in the region.
It sets out the reasoning behind each measure, what is required from government and what additional resources are needed to help bring the rise in coronavirus cases under control.
The document sets out the case for more resources and measures over the next six months for testing, contact tracing, support for vulnerable people and care homes, support for businesses, work to inform and educate the public and enforcement. It also details the support required to maintain essential public services, such as waste collection and street cleaning, while infection rates are rising and staff are at greater risk.
Leader of Warrington Borough Council, Cllr Russ Bowden, said: “We are trying to work with government to ensure that Warrington, and wider Cheshire, is able to bring the recent increase in cases back to a stable, more manageable level.
“Although we in Warrington are already subject to enhanced measures – and the two Cheshire councils we have partnered with for this letter are not – our requests to government have been agreed by all three local authorities, and are supported by Cheshire and Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership. We are also working closely with Cheshire Police, who cover all three boroughs.
“An area of big concern for me, that still hasn’t been sufficiently addressed, is the support that the hospitality industry requires. The hospitality sector plays a huge part in keeping the local economies of towns and cities going, and providing jobs to many who, without additional support from the government, could be facing the real prospect of unemployment. I don’t want to see local businesses and venues closing – so my priority is to keep pushing for further support and investment.
“While we wait for the government response, I would reiterate that there are things we can all do fight the virus. The best way for us all to protect ourselves and each other is to maintain social distancing of two metres where possible, wash our hands more frequently for 20 seconds with soap and water, avoid touching our faces and wearing a face covering when required.
“I’d like to thank the people, businesses and partners in Warrington who continue to stick to the rules – but now we need to do more to beat COVID-19, and securing this additional support is, I believe, essential.”
