Coronavirus information

• Shops should ensure that no orders are taken in person on the premises
• Shops should only take orders online or by telephone and communicate this to customers by clear signage in store and online.
• Where customers are collecting items, they should have staggered collection times
• Where queuing is taking place, a queue management system should be in place to maintain a safe distance.
• No goods or food should be physically handed over to the customer.

• From (Monday 1 June) Wakefield Council's outdoor markets will re-open to all traders.
• Extending free parking at all of our car parks (not on street parking) across the district until 15 June.
• Garden waste collections to resume from 9 June
  

Temporary closure of some customer service areas

The customer service areas in Wakefield One and County Hall have been temporarily closed to the public but will remain open for staff  

We have made it a priority that customers who would usually visit our buildings are still able to access the same support from Council services just in a different way.

The following services are usually accessed from Wakefield One. Here's how you can continue to contact the services for support:

Customer Access Point

The cash kiosk is closed

If you need to make a payment you can do so online:

http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/about-the-council/budget-and-spending/how-to-pay-council-bills#toptasks

This can also be done at a Post Office or Paypoint outlet by showing your payment demand documentation.

Payroll and Employment Services

If you need to contact the Payroll and Employment Services about DBS checks you can call 01924 306636 or email DBSchecks@wakefield.gov.uk.

Other payroll related queries call 01924 306094 or email HRDirect-Serviceteam@wakefield.gov.uk

Licensing

To make a payment or to speak to the Licensing team call 1924 302932 or email licensingoffice@wakefield.gov.uk

More information is available here https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/business/licensing-and-trading

Revenues and Benefits

If you need to contact the Council Tax service please use our Council Tax customer contact form. If you need to contact us about Council Tax Support or Housing Benefit please email benefitsservice@wakefield.gov.uk

Payments for revenues and benefits can also be made at the Post Office or at any Paypoint across the district.

Customers wishing to post their requested documents can do so by using the external mailbox at County Hall.

County Hall
Bond Street
Wakefield
WF1 2QW

The following services are usually accessed   from County Hall. Here's how you can continue to contact the services for support:

School Services:

School admissions

You can contact the service by calling 01924 306052 or emailing admissions@wakefield.gov.uk

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/schools-and-children/schools/admissions

Primary mid-year application form

Secondary mid-year application form

School admissions appeals:

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/schools-and-children/schools/admissions/appeals

Home to school transport:

You can contact the service by calling 01924 305675 or emailing HST@wakefield.gov.uk

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/schools-and-children/schools/going-to-school/travel-transport

School transport appeals:

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/schools-and-children/schools/going-to-school/travel-transport/school-transport-appeals

Free School Meals:

You can contact the service by emailing HST@wakefield.gov.uk putting FSM in the subject box.  

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/schools-and-children/schools/going-to-school/free-school-meals

Application for free school meals:

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/Documents/schools-children/free-school-meals/application-for-free-school-meals.pdf#search=Free%20School%20Meals

Elections

The elections team is operating an email service – you can contact them at elections@wakefield.gov.uk

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/elections

Land Charges

You can contact the service by calling 01924 305260 or email landcharges@wakefield.gov.uk

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/planning/local-land-charges

Town Hall

Wakefield Town Hall remains open.

The Registrars service is open from 9am to 4:30pm.

https://www.wakefield.gov.uk/births-marriages-deaths

If you are unable to contact any of the services listed above or for general information, please do not hesitate to call the customer services team on 0345 8 506 506 (local rate).

We have over the last week contacted all those with ceremonies booked up to and including the 5th July 2020 recommending you reschedule your ceremony.

More information can be found here: http://www.wakefield.gov.uk/births-marriages-deaths/ceremonies

Can we ask that should you need to contact us about your ceremony please email ceremonies@wakefield.gov.ukor if you wish to make a new ceremony booking please use the online form

• Leisure centres - Sun Lane, Normanton, Featherstone, Pontefract, Minsthorpe and Thornes Park Wakefield City Golf Course and changing rooms
• Museums – Wakefield, Castleford and Pontefract
• Libraries – Wakefield, Pontefract, Castleford, Ossett, Normanton, Airedale, Featherstone, Hemsworth, Horbury, Sandal, South Elmsall and Stanley, along with the mobile library service
• The Manygates Centre (closed from today)
• Pontefract Castle and grounds (closed from 21 March)
  
• Wakefield One
• Wakefield County Hall
• All play grounds to be closed

• Country parks – access will be available to Pugneys and Anglers Country parks and toilets, but the café facilities will be closed
  

• Government guidelines state that allotments are classed as exercise and can be done once per day and alone.
• Government guidelines on social distancing of 2metres or more should be observed
• If plot holders or a member of their household has symptoms they should not attend the allotment site as they should be self-isolating
• Hygiene procedures as recommended by the Government should be adhered to at all times.

We recognise our local businesses are facing a challenging and uncertain time as we all consider the effects of the coronavirus outbreak.

We are extremely proud of our local economy and value all the businesses that make Wakefield the unique, vibrant place it is.

See our business page for how we are supporting businesses.

Some local authority schools and academies will reopen on 1 June to certain year groups. Parents will have been contacted directly by their child’s school. Care provision remains in place for children whose parents are key workers More information can be found here

Being at home with the people you live with can be great fun. But it can also lead you to be conscious of activities to do to keep everyone occupied, as well as seeking helpful information and support around your families health and wellbeing.

That’s why we developed the Wakefield Families Newsletter. It’s full of content and activities we think you’ll find useful; whether it is inspiration for things to do indoors, fun foodie activities, or advice around routines and things like sleep – we’ve got you covered.

Download the May newsletter here.

Download the April newsletter here.

The following council-run children’s centres are closed to the public until further notice:

• Oakhill
• Havercroft
• Butterflies
• Pomfret
• Kendal Drive
• Cedars
• Castle
• Sunbeam
• Stanley

This decision has been made in response to the latest guidance from the government and in order to best protect the health and safety of children and families across the district.

Any family who is currently receiving targeted support will be contacted directly so that arrangements can be made to continue to support this.

The Adult Education Service is committed to supporting all of our learners during this challenging time. We are working hard to maintain learning and we are aware that some learners will require a refund. Please bear with us during these exceptional circumstances – we are working through requests as quickly as we can.

Step-up is offering a telephone service for customers. Existing customers will continue to receive the support they have been promised where this doesn’t involve group programmes.

New customers should call 01924 303334 where they will be referred to an adviser who will then work with them on a regular basis by telephone. Please visit our Step Up page for more information.

The 0-19 Service (Health Visiting, School Nursing, FNP and 5-19  Immunisations) have revised their service offer in line with government recommendations for  COVID-19. 

Please download a poster here for details of the temporary changes.

Please refer to the latest official government guidance: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

Ask family, friends and neighbours to support you and use online services.

It’s important to speak to others and ask them to help you to make arrangements for the delivery of food, medicines and essential services and supplies, and look after your physical and mental health and wellbeing.

If you receive support from health and social care organisations, for example, if you have care provided for you through the local authority or health care system, this will continue as normal. Your health or social care provider will be asked to take additional precautions to make sure that you are protected.

Shielding is a measure to protect people who are clinically extremely vulnerable by minimising all interaction between those who are extremely vulnerable and others.

Official government guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from coronavirus (COVID-19) is here.

Draw on support you might have through your friends, family and other networks during this time.

Try to stay in touch with those around you over the phone, by post, or online using social media. Let people know how you would like to stay in touch and build that into your routine.

This is also important in looking after your mental wellbeing and you may find it helpful to talk to them about how you are feeling.

Remember it is okay to share your concerns with others you trust and in doing so you may end up providing support to them too.

You might want to use a NHS recommended helpline.

You can also follow Wakefield Council on Facebook and Twitter where we'll be sharing tips and advice on staying connected.

Ask family, friends and neighbours to support you and use online services wherever possible.

It's important to speak to others and ask them to help you to make arrangements for the delivery of food, medicines and essential services and supplies, and look after your physical and mental health and wellbeing.

If you receive support from health and social care organisations, for example if you have care provided for you through the local authority or health care system, this will continue as normal. Your health or social care provider will be asked to take additional precautions to make sure that you are protected.

Official government information is online here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Social media is a valuable tool at a time like this, but it can also contain misinformation and rumour, which isn’t helpful.

The following Twitter (www.twitter.com) accounts will be regularly posting out the latest factual advice and information related to coronavirus (COVID-19):

• Public Health England – @PHE_UK
• Department of Health and Social Care – @DHSCgovuk
• NHS England – @NHSEngland
• Wakefield Council – @MyWakefield

I’m self-isolating and I cannot cope with my symptoms at home

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

• you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
• your condition gets worse
• your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Use the 111 coronavirus service>

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

If you are caring for someone who is vulnerable, there are some simple steps that you can take to protect them and to reduce their risk at the current time:

• Always follow good hand hygiene guidance

• Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell

• Do not visit them if you are unwell and make alternative arrangements for their care

• Provide information on who they should call if they feel unwell, and how to use NHS111 online coronavirus service if they become unwell and cannot cope with symptoms at home.

• Find out about different sources of support that could be used and access further advice on creating a contingency plan is available from Carers UK

• Look after your own well-being and physical health during this time

Age UK Wakefield District

Age UK Wakefield District is a local independent charity working with and for older people across Wakefield District.  

 Call: 01977 552114

Website: www.ageuk.org.uk/wakefielddistrict/

Live Well Wakefield
Supporting healthy living for the people of Wakefield District, providing information, advice and support in coping with everyday life.

Call: 01924 255363

Website: www.livewellwakefield.nhs.uk/

Volunteer Wakefield

Find out about opportunities for volunteering in your community.
https://volunteerwakefield.org/

Wakefield Samaritans

Offering a safe place to talk any time you like, in your own way – about whatever's getting to you.
Call: 116 123 (this number is free to call)

Website: https://www.samaritans.org/branches/samaritans-wakefield-and-district

If you're a local organisation that is able to offer help during this time and would like adding to this list, please contact us.

• Print out some contact cards, enter your contact details (be willing to share your information and able to respond before dropping any cards)

• Use a calendar to note agreed times to visit each person with items or for assistance

• Find out which local cafés, restaurants or pubs are offering food for take-away or delivery

• Call local shops to see if they can take phone orders and payment from the person self-isolating for you to collect

• Look out for special shopping times or privileges for older or vulnerable people

• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, with soap, for twenty seconds

• Drop the cards through letterboxes in your street and keep a note of which houses you have covered each time

• Create a log and note all calls asking for help and what help is required e.g. shopping list, pharmacy for prescription collection, activity needed – e.g. dog walking or help setting up mobiles for social media

• Keep a list of people offering to support you; refer them to this information

• Make sure you ask people to consent to you keeping their contact details safe, using them to provide assistance required and that you can share with other neighbours who are offering to join you to help

• Where you can, keep in touch by text, app or phone with the people you are helping so you can be aware of any changes e.g. feeling ill, moving to another location, getting alternative support

• Always check the latest government guidance on social distancing and self-isolation, to keep everyone safe and protected here.

• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, with soap, for twenty seconds

• Do not visit anyone if you are unwell; please make alternative arrangements for their care

• If someone you visit is unwell with coronavirus symptoms, provide information on how to use NHS111 online coronavirus service if they become more unwell and can’t cope with symptoms at home

• Look after your own wellbeing and physical health during this time and don’t put yourself at risk

• Always check the latest government guidance on social distancing and self-isolation, to keep everyone safe and protected here.

• Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly, with soap, for twenty seconds

• Do not visit anyone if you are unwell; please make alternative arrangements for their care

• If someone you visit is unwell with coronavirus symptoms, provide information on how to use NHS111 online coronavirus service if they become more unwell and can’t cope with symptoms at home

• Look after your own wellbeing and physical health during this time and don’t put yourself at risk