Craven District Council is working with partners to continue delivering important services to residents and businesses during the new Covid-19 national lockdown, announced by the Prime Minister on January 4.

From January 4, under the new national lockdown:

• You must stay at home. You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary.
• You cannot leave your home to meet socially with anyone you do not live with or are not in a support bubble with (if you are legally permitted to form one).
• You may exercise on your own, with one other person, or with your household or support bubble. This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside the village or town where you live.
• Schools and colleges are closed except for critical workers’ children and vulnerable children.
• Non-essential shops must close.

For more information on the new national lockdown rules, go to https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

Due to the most recent Government advice, the council has closed its Customer Service Reception to walk-in visitors.

If you have any enquiries please call the council on 01756 700600, email contactus@cravendc.gov.uk or go to www.cravendc.gov.uk

Any member of the public who absolutely needs to speak to someone in person will be offered the opportunity to make an appointment.

The new Government regulations mean Craven Leisure is also closed until further notice. All memberships will automatically be frozen and all payments will cease until further notice; customers should receive notification of this in the coming days.

Settle Tourist Information Centre is also closed. Staff will still be available to answer queries via email at settle@ytbtic.co.uk and via phone between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Friday, on 07821 837168.

Skipton Information & Visitor Centre is closed, but can still be contacted between 9.30am and 4pm, Monday to Saturday, via phone on 01756 792809, via email at skiptontic@cravendc.gov.uk, and via Facebook and Twitter at @SkiptonTownHall.

Aireville Park in Skipton remains open, including the children’s playground; any users of the park are required to observe social distancing.

All waste collections will operate as normal.

People who are self-isolating and need help with shopping or other essential services are being encouraged to ask for help from family, friends, and neighbours.

If this is not possible then contact your local Community Support Organisation – please go to www.cravendc.gov.uk/covid-support for more information.

Councillor Richard Foster, Leader of Craven District Council, said: “The situation nationally is extremely serious and the numbers of Covid-19 cases are rising rapidly in Craven, as they are across the country.

“I know another national lockdown is very difficult for residents and businesses and the Council is working hard to help all those who need support.

“The Government guidance about support for businesses is still being finalised and we will get this to you as soon as possible over the coming days, as we know many will be desperate for financial support.

 “All our staff are working hard to maintain essential services, and to help our communities around the district, as we have done through the previous lockdowns.

“I hope this will be the last time we need to go into such a drastic lockdown, as the national vaccination programme is being rolled out. I would urge you all to play your part now by staying home, protecting the NHS, and helping to save lives.

“Please, act as though you have Covid-19 – you could be spreading it without knowing. Please stay apart from other households, wash your hands, and wear a face covering if you are shopping for essentials. If you have Covid-19 symptoms, self-isolate and get a test. And if you test positive for Covid-19, please self-isolate for the full 10 days.”

Currently there have been no changes announced to the holding of funerals. The capacity within the Skipton Crematorium chapel remains at 15 attendees in order to comply with the government’s two-metre social distancing guidance, with a further 15 attendees outside the chapel. For more information please go to www.cravendc.gov.uk/bereavement-services

Craven District Council’s Bereavement Services can be contacted on 01756 796118 or bereavementservices@cravendc.gov.uk

The Council’s Revenues and Benefits team is ready to process financial support for businesses and residents as it is announced by central government. More information on this will be available at www.cravendc.gov.uk/coronavirus

Parking permits can be renewed and paid for online at www.cravendc.gov.uk/parking. Council tax payments can be made online at https://www.cravendc.gov.uk/pay/

Council and committee meetings will continue to operate remotely.

The Council is in regular contact with Public Health England to ensure the very latest guidance is communicated and implemented, as the situation continues to develop.