Plans for county council services following Tier 4 announcement

Following the Government’s latest announcement around the areas of Essex that have moved to Tier 4 restrictions, there are implications for some key services provided by Essex County Council (ECC).

While some county-wide services will continue to run in line with previous national Covid guidelines, some have been required to further adapt their usual operations in order to adhere to the new national Tier 4 guidance. 

In some instances, the national guidelines have also meant that some services have been temporarily paused. As of Sunday 20 December 2020:

• Essex Country Parks will remain open while parts of Essex remain in Tier 4. All parks are now in Tier 4, except Cudmore Grove which remains in Tier 2. Cafes and Country Park attractions are closed. More information can be found here: https://www.explore-essex.com/covid-19-updates
• The grounds, gardens and toilets at Cressing Temple Barns will remain open. The tearoom and buildings are closed.
• Recycling Centres for Household Waste remain open across Essex, however we encourage residents to follow the Government’s ‘Stay at Home’ advice and only visit the sites if it is essential. If you are living in a Tier 2 area of Essex you cannot visit a Recycling Centre in a Tier 4 area, and vice versa. https://www.loveessex.org/find-your-nearest-recycling-centre/
• Essex Outdoor Centres and The Lock climbing wall are closed.https://www.essexoutdoors.com/
• The Essex Record Office is closed. https://www.essexrecordoffice.co.uk
• Essex Libraries in Tier 4 areas are temporarily closed to the public. However, public computer access is still available by appointment only and residents can still collect their reservations. In Tier 2 districts (Colchester, Tendring and Uttlesford districts), Essex Libraries remain open to the public. https://libraries.essex.gov.uk/news/essex-library-services-during-tier-four-restrictions/
• The Registration Service, including those that operate from Essex Libraries are open as normal for birth registrations and notice of marriage or civil partnership appointments. 
• Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies planned in Tier 4 areas are no longer permitted to take place except in exceptional circumstances.Ceremonies and civil partnership ceremonies in Tier 2 areas can take place. https://www.essex.gov.uk/topic/births-ceremonies-deaths

In line with their usual Christmas and New Year operating times, Essex Highways, will also temporarily pause nearly all non-emergency road works between 23 December to 4 January. However, in exceptional cases and for public safety, traffic management cones and barriers or temporary lights will remain on site. https://www.essexhighways.org/transport-and-roads.aspx

The Government is due to review the Tier system on Wednesday 30 December and ECC will continue to share further updates at that point.