Covid-19: Statement from Torfaen Council Leader

Anthony Hunt is the Leader of Torfaen Council. You can contact Anthony via email on [email protected]

‘As the Leader of Torfaen Council, I want to reassure all our residents that while we are guided by, and must follow national government advice, we have been working hard since the outbreak of Coronavirus to plan how we keep essential services functioning wherever possible.

This is an unprecedented, dynamic situation and many residents, businesses and community organisations are understandably concerned.

As I write this, we are planning in response to the Welsh Government’s announcement around the closure of schools.

As a Council we deliver services that the most vulnerable people in our communities rely upon. The potential implications of Coronavirus for the council, other public service partners and the residents and communities of Torfaen is significant.

Thank you to all the residents following the advice on how to best keep yourselves and other residents safe. Frequently updated advice is available on the NHS and Government websites. We will all, as individuals, have to change how we go about our daily lives, how we interact and how we respond to the evolving situation. The same applies to the Council.

A major challenge facing the Council will be how we continue to deliver essential services, should there be a vastly reduced workforce. This is our immediate priority.

One way in which our residents can help is by accessing our services online rather than face-to-face, via www.torfaen.gov.uk

As we begin to redeploy available staff towards delivering essential services, I would also ask residents to bear with us in the delivery of other services.

I know that all of our staff and public service partners will do their very best for the people we serve, and I would like to thank them all for that in these challenging times. We will work closely with our partners to ensure that we can provide the necessary support and care to our staff and residents in the weeks ahead.

As this situation is a fast-moving one, please keep an eye out for further updates, via our Coronavirus information page at https://www.torfaen.gov.uk/…/Home…/COVID-19-Coronavirus.aspx which also contains links to Public Health Wales, Government and NHS sites. Please make use of these sites, as some other information sources on social media can be inaccurate or unhelpful.

In recent days I’ve been amazed by the generosity of residents and groups across the borough coming together to offer help and support for each other.

Finally, I would also ask everyone to be considerate when shopping. As a husband and dad of two young children, I understand the temptation to stock up and look after your own family, but if we all buy more than we need it means that others will be left without. Shops have plans to ensure there is enough for everyone and the only thing causing empty shelves is panic buying.

Please continue to be a good neighbour to the elderly and the vulnerable and take care of yourself and each other.

Together, we will get through this.’

Anthony