County Council Update - 30th March 2020

Published: 31 March 2020

Supporting local businesses
Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Trading Standards is offering free advice to businesses affected by the Government’s closure order if they are not providing essential services, to minimise spread of the Coronavirus.

Any business that is unsure whether the rules apply to them should contact Trading Standards urgently for advice free of charge.

Councillor Steve Criswell, Chairman of the Communities and Partnership Committee at Cambridgeshire County Council, said: “This is understandably a difficult and uncertain time for businesses but it’s essential that we follow the Government’s advice and do everything we can to stop the spread of this virus. I urge any local business, large or small, that is unsure if the mandatory closure applies to them to contact Trading Standards as soon as possible.”

Councillor Irene Walsh, cabinet member for communities at Peterborough City Council, said: “No part of our society is unaffected by the Coronavirus. We need to make sure that we all help to stop its spread, including those businesses who have sadly been instructed to close until the virus is under control. Please contact Trading Standards as a matter of urgency if you’re not sure whether the new rules apply to you.”

Visit our websites for more information, support and advice: Cambridgeshire and Peterborough or fill out a Trading Standards contact form: www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/regulatorycompanion
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Consumer concerns at increased prices
There have been reports that some businesses have been increasing the prices of goods during the Coronavirus outbreak.  Whilst local businesses are free to set their own prices, the Competition and Markets Authority has set up a taskforce to examine the scale of the issue and are asking people to report instances via an online reporting form or via email to covid.monitoring@cma.gov.uk

Cambridgeshire Customer Services Contact Centre
Library and Trading Standards phone lines closed on Friday (27 March) to allow us to focus and prioritise critical services which need to remain open.
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Changes to council services
You can keep up-to-date with any changes to our services on our websites:
Peterborough - https://www.peterborough.gov.uk/healthcare/public-health/coronavirus/disruption-to-council-services
Cambridgeshire - https://www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/residents/coronavirus/disruption-to-council-services

Our advice and latest information on Coronavirus can be found on both websites - www.peterborough.gov.uk/coronavirus and www.cambridgeshire.gov.uk/coronavirus
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Coronavirus: what you need to do.

• Stay at home
  
• Only go outside for food, health reasons or work (where this absolutely cannot be done from home)
• Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people
• Wash your hands as soon as you get home
  

Anyone can spread the virus.

Full guidance on staying at home and away from others