Coronavirus in Lincolnshire: Latest updates

The RSPB is to close all of its nature reserves in Lincolnshire because of the coronavirus outbreak.

RSPBCopyright: RSPB

The charity says its reserves, including Frampton Marsh and Freiston Shore, near Boston, and Beckingham Marshes, near Gainsborough, will shut.

They had previously only closed cafes and visitor centres, now car parks and entries to the sites will be shut.

The charity says it will now move to helping people enjoy nature from their own homes.

Quote Message: It is with great sadness that we ask people to refrain from visiting. We are determined to do our bit to try and help connect people with the amazing wildlife to be seen in gardens or from balconies or windows, and offer some hope and joy in these difficult times." from RSPB

It is with great sadness that we ask people to refrain from visiting. We are determined to do our bit to try and help connect people with the amazing wildlife to be seen in gardens or from balconies or windows, and offer some hope and joy in these difficult times."

A statue of the famous inventor of the marine chronometer has had to be unveiled in private because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Better Barrow Community GroupCopyright: Better Barrow Community Group

The statue of John Harrison was unveiled in his home village of Barrow, in Lincolnshire, on what would have been his birthday.

It was unveiled early this morning by two members of the Better Barrow Community Group, which commissioned the statue, after the public ceremony had to be cancelled.

The statue shows Harrison, who was originally from near Wakefield, winding up his first "sea watch", known as H4, which he invented to solve the problem of calculating longitude while at sea.

Overseas training for the famous Lincolnshire-based Red Arrows has been cancelled because of the spread of the coronavirus.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Members of the aerobatic team - based at RAF Scampton - usually go to Greece in spring to take advantage of better weather.

But the RAF says the current situation meant this was not possible and adds 2020 will clearly not be a normal campaign for the team.

In a statement, the RAF said: "It is the intention of the RAF that the Red Arrows will maintain their capabilities, when the current situation enables the team to do so."

Lincolnshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner (PCC) says he fears fines will not deter the most “hardcore” determined people from breaching the coronavirus lockdown.

BBCCopyright: BBC

Marc Jones (pictured) says more legislation and prosecution needs to be in place to tackle those undeterred by the fines, but added he did not want to see police cells filled with people “being utterly stupid".

However, Mr Jones added he was confident people in Lincolnshire would be “largely compliant".

He says he was reassured the force could handle the lockdown announced by Prime Minister Boris Johnson yesterday in line with its planning.

Officers will initially be giving advice and guidance, however, legislation due out on Thursday is set to give police extra powers, including fining people who breach the lockdown between £30-£1,000.

Mr Jones said: "I would like to think in Lincolnshire we’re not going to need to be issuing people with fines – however, there’s always going to be that hardcore element.

"If we have got to the point they’re ignoring advice and having officers issue fines…I don’t think a £30 fine is going to put them off."

He added he was confident the initial impact of the lockdown would be manageable but recognised the situation was “only going to get worse over the coming weeks".

Mr Jones said steps were being taken to maximise staff numbers, including urging businesses to release special constables and cutting back on non-essential training.

An open letter's been signed by all Lincolnshire's MPs calling for people to stop stockpiling and keep calm.

GoogleCopyright: Google

Gareth Davies, Matt Warman, Victoria Atkins, Sir Edward Leigh, Sir John Hayes, Karl McCartney and Dr Caroline Johnson have all signed the letter.

They have come together to warn that the coronavirus outbreak is "the biggest public health emergency in a generation".

In the open letter, they say each one of them has received an unprecedented amount of letters, calls and emails and they are prioritising constituents most in need.

They write that it's vital people keep social distancing, stop stockpiling and "stay calm".

They conclude: "Guided by the best scientific advice, with the government’s clear action plan and through looking out for each other we will get through this, together."

Lincolnshire County Council says it's working hard to introduce a dedicated coronavirus helpline after the service was hit by a delay.

The council currently has pages on its website offering support.

Lincolnshire County CouncilCopyright: Lincolnshire County Council

The authority had hoped to have a new helpline and website up and running yesterday evening but as a result of pressure on its IT services neither is yet available.

The council says a new website and hotline will point people towards services like volunteering or community support projects, where to get food deliveries from and issues relating to benefits and similar issues.

Quote Message: It is very fast moving and, obviously, at the same time we're trying to make arrangements to make sure that 5,000 people can work from home. So our IT are incredibly busy trying to respond to everything." from Debbie Barnes Chief Executive of Lincolnshire County Council

It is very fast moving and, obviously, at the same time we're trying to make arrangements to make sure that 5,000 people can work from home. So our IT are incredibly busy trying to respond to everything."

City of Lincoln Council will close its face-to-face customer services until further notice from lunchtime today, it's been announced.

GoogleCopyright: Google

The authority announced the closure of its City Hall facilities on social media as part of its changes to services in the face of coronavirus.

It follows in the footsteps of other authorities including South Kesteven District, Boston Borough and East Lindsey District councils.

Instead, residents are being asked to email communityhelp@lincoln.gov.uk or call 01522 873461 or 01522 873374.

Golf courses across England will shut following the latest government measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.

Getty ImagesCopyright: Getty Images

Amateur golfers had previously been able to continue playing while adhering to guidance on social distancing.

In a statement, England Golf said the move was “highly necessary and must be maintained until further notice”.

It added: “Keeping golf courses open is simply no longer compatible with the updated policy of government which is designed to save lives in a time of national emergency.”

The health trust which runs Lincolnshire's hospitals has appealed for temporary staff to help support its catering and housekeeping services as the coronavirus outbreak continues.

GoogleCopyright: Google

United Lincolnshire Hospitals Trust (ULHT) is looking for additional support at Lincoln County Hospital, Boston Pilgrim Hospital (pictured) and Grantham and District Hospital.

A spokesperson for ULHT said: “We are seeking people with housekeeping or catering experience. For catering, we would require only people who hold a current food hygiene certificate.

“All roles will be paid at the national living wage and will be appointed through our fast-track process.”

People who are interested should e-mail: COVID-TempRecruitment@ulh.nhs.uk

Police officers will take action to enforce strict new guidelines introduced to tackle the spread of coronavirus, the Assistant Chief Constable of Lincolnshire Police has said.

Lincolnshire PoliceCopyright: Lincolnshire Police

Kerrin Wilson said those who ignore new restrictions outlined by Boris Johnson last night will be dealt with using new powers set to come into force.

"For those in the minority who aren’t listening and who decide that they shouldn’t follow national advice in the midst of this global health crisis, we will have new powers to enforce social distancing," she said.

"We are working through the exact detail of what that means but these are powers we should not have to use, but will do so if necessary."

She said she "fully expected" people to adhere the restrictions, adding: "The government’s announcement asking us to change our behaviours is absolutely essential in order to save the lives of our loved ones, the vulnerable, the elderly.

"We are all in this together and need to look after one another."

The UK's woken to strict new curbs on life following an announcement by the prime minister last night of new rules imposed to help fight the coronavirus outbreak.

In a televised statement the prime minister ordered people only to leave their homes under a list of "very limited purposes".

Police will be given powers to enforce measures forcing people to stay at home unless shopping for food, exercising or going out for any medical need.

Under the new rules people can also leave home to provide care for someone, or to attend essential work which can't be done anywhere else.

The restrictions are in place for at least three weeks and will be kept under constant review, the prime minister said:

More about corona virus:

• LIVE: Latest updates
• A SIMPLE GUIDE: What are the symptoms?
• AVOIDING CONTACT: What should I be doing?
• LOOK-UP TOOL: Check cases in your area
• MAPS AND CHARTS: Visual guide to the outbreak