The following is a news update from Maldon's Coronavirus Community Response Team and contains information on local help and support available.

This week we moved into a second National lockdown which included a return to advice to shield for some people identified as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable. New guidance for the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) was released on 4th Nov which includes recommendations to limit contact with others, avoid shops and pharmacies. Letters from GPs were sent out towards the end of last week.

There will be no return to the food parcel provision that was available in the summer lockdown with the preferred support option being to enable people to access priority slots with supermarkets. People who need help can register with the National Shielding Service via the below link here.

Crucially support services, friends and family are now able to register people who are not confident with online services. In Maldon the Connect digital project can help with this and

can deliver or offer click and collect, and response volunteers can be matched to do the "collect" element of a click and collect if required.

In addition, through the Salvation Army the local response team is ready to provide food parcels to anyone who is unable to go to the shop through shielding or self isolation. Anyone looking for this support should call the helpline on 01621 851997.

Support is also available for prescription requests and signposting to services.

The weekly safe space drop in at Maldon Town Hall is continuing throughout Lockdown as an essential service, anyone who wishes to attend is required to book by calling the MDCVS office on 01621 851891 or via the helpline. Full details of the safe space are online at here.