News in Maldon

A new regional testing site for Maldon district and the surrounding areas will be opened at Sandon Park and Ride over the coming days.

The site will a drive-through testing site and will offer both assisted and self-administered tests.

The latest Covid infection rates across Essex show a continued rise in most areas with Maldon district recording 238.7 cases per 100,000 in the seven days to Saturday, 12 December.

It is important to note that the figure for this period could still rise as not all results for tests taken up to and including that date may yet be in. However, the figure remains one of the lower ones for the Essex County Council area, with Basildon the highest at 697 cases per 100,000 population up to 12 December.

The decision to place most of Essex in Tier 3 is a huge disappointment but sadly was unavoidable. All of us had hoped that when our Tier 2 status was due to be reviewed on 16th December, it would be possible to relax the restrictions.

However, the figures that I saw at an emergency meeting on Sunday showed clearly that the existing measures already in place have failed to stop the spread of the virus. It was also obvious that action needed to be taken swiftly and that we could not wait for the review.

Some of Maldon's popular hospitality businesses have spoken out about the devastation caused by the district's move into Tier 3 tomorrow (Wednesday, 16 December).

Here Maldon Nub News brings you the latest from a few of the town's pubs, restaurants, cafes and tearooms, as well as an overview from Allison Fox, chairman of Maldon Business Board and owner of Willow and Fox boutique.

Ninety-nine people have been arrested for drink or drug driving offences in just the first 10 days of Essex Police's annual Christmas drink and drugs driving crackdown.

Officers made 59 drug driving arrests, 34 drink driving arrests, and six for failing to provide a specimen.

The overall 'above and beyond' winner in Maldon's Recognition of Service Awards has been announced today (Monday, 16 December).

On a day when we could all do with some cheerful news, the video with this article reveals who it is.

Essex County Council (ECC) has expressed disappointment over the decision to place most of the area under Tier Three from midnight on Wednesday (16 December).

Last week Essex County Council urged ministers and officials to keep the county in Tier 2 based on its overall infection rate. However, as the numbers of cases continued to soar, Health Secretary Matt Hancock made the announcement to Parliament this afternoon. He also told how a more infectious variant of the Covid-19 virus is partly responsible for wreaking the current havoc in the South East.

Maldon will be placed under Tier 3 restrictions starting at a midnight on Wednesday (16 December).

The district has been selected for the measure along with every other area of Essex except Tendring, Colchester and Uttlesford. Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced the change in the Houses of Parliament this afternoon.

The Conservative group at Maldon District Council (MDC) has a new leader and deputy.

Councillor Penny Channer, formerly deputy leader of the group, is stepping up to lead the Tories at MDC following the sudden resignation of previous group and council leader, Councillor Elaine Bamford, in November.

A leading doctor at Broomfield Hospital specialising in respiratory infections has indicated Essex is heading for Tier 3 restrictions – warning that January looks "very grim".

In a sober message on Facebook Dr Steve Jenkins, a respiratory consultant at Broomfield Hospital, warned that he could not be certain the NHS will be able to provide comprehensive emergency care as we head into deep winter.