Covid-19 has not gone away

It was a good chance for us to show them examples of the many ways we are working with our residents, businesses and partners to reduce the spread of the virus, including keeping a close eye on trends in confirmed cases so that we can take early and swift action where necessary, offering increased testing through mobile sites, and targeted work with our communities to ensure that people from all faiths and backgrounds understand that Covid-19 is still circulating and what they need to do to reduce the risk of either transmitting or catching it.

It was a very successful visit and I am pleased to say that they were impressed with the work we are doing, particularly how we are working with our communities.

It’s a real pat on the back to receive this affirmation, for the council and everyone who is working so hard to support us.

We continue to work closely with residents and businesses across the whole city so that they are absolutely clear on the rules and guidance from government and how they can support in reducing the spread of the virus in our communities.

In particular, we need people to understand that the virus has not gone away and that their loved ones are at risk if we cannot limit its spread.

We can do this by staying 2m apart from anyone not in our household and following the guidance around how many households can meet at any one time.

We need businesses to make sure their premises are COVID-secure and that their employees are supported to work safely and are able to self-isolate if they need to.

But when our advice is not heeded, we will now be able to use new powers handed down to us by Government to shut pubs, cafes, shops and restaurants in areas where there is an outbreak of coronavirus. The legislation also allows us to close parks and other public spaces and cancel events if there is a need which is in the interests of public health.

We don’t want to have to use these powers, but we need people to understand that COVID-19 hasn’t gone away. So please, keep caring for Peterborough and take note of public health guidance and help others to do the same.

I mentioned earlier in the column that we are increasing our testing capacity to make it as easy as possible for people to get tested and to find cases of the virus as soon as possible so we can then limit its spread.

Following the set-up of the mobile testing facility at Gladstone Park Community Centre last week, we now have an additional mobile testing site at Dogsthorpe Community Centre on Poplar Avenue.

Both sites are testing people daily until Sunday from 10am until 3pm and people are able to just turn up or book an appointment in advance to avoid having to wait.

Please, if you have symptoms of the virus, get a test and self-isolate immediately.

Our increased testing will likely lead to more identified Covid-19 cases over the coming fortnight, and potentially an increase in Peterborough’s national ranking for number of cases per 100,000 population.

But that is worthwhile if we can early identify more people as having the virus, as the easier it will be for us to provide support to those people to help them to isolate and break the chain of onward infection.

I was pleased to read the business pages of last week’s PT and see that numerous companies are bringing jobs to Peterborough.

Last week’s national unemployment figures made worrying reading, but I hope that with these job announcements and others to come we will see our unemployment rates quickly improve.

Recruitment by AMT Fresh for 120 staff at its new warehouse at Peterborough Gateway, Alwalton Hill, is due to start next month.

The company is looking to fill a range of roles including machine operatives, section leaders and PPT operators. The site is eventually expected to employ around 300 people.

In addition, international lifestyle products and services company URBN has agreed a lease on a huge distribution warehouse at Peterborough Gateway, at Alwalton Hill. The America-based lifestyle giant, which is behind brands such as Urban Outfitter, Anthropologie and Free People, says it expects to create between 200 and 400 jobs at the Peterborough site.

It is without doubt a difficult time for many of our residents whose jobs have been affected by the pandemic. I

hope it is reassuring news for them that businesses are still choosing to invest in our city and are creating jobs which people can apply for now.

You can rest assured the council will continue to work hard to keep services going, its residents safe and well and to keep the city moving.