News in Sidmouth

The HSBC bank in Sidmouth has closed due to 'staffing restrictions to delay the spread of COVID-19'.

The bank, on New Street, will remain closed 'until further notice'.

The VE Day 75 celebrations due to be held in Sidmouth this May have now been cancelled due to the outbreak of the Coronavirus.

Sidmouth Chamber of Commerce secretary Sylvia Brownlee told Nub News: "Given the new directive for everyone to immediately avoid all non-essential social contact and for older and vulnerable people to isolate themselves for the next few months, we have decided to cancel the VEDay75 celebrations from 8th to 10th May.

The Devon Air Ambulance Trust has today announced that it will be prioritising patients it 'can bring the greatest benefit to'.

In a statement released today (March 16) the trust outlined its plans for responding to emergencies during the Coronavirus outbreak, after consulting with the NHS.

Sidmouth Swimming Pool users are being reassured that hygiene measures have been stepped up in the light of the coronavirus outbreak.

Peter Gilpin, chief operating officer of LED Community Leisure which runs the Sidmouth Swimming Pool, has issued a statement detailing precautions being taken to protect the public 'in these uncertain times'.

Firefighters in Sidmouth and the wider East Devon area have cancelled all upcoming community events and station visits due to Coronavirus concerns.

Access to Sidmouth Fire Station has now been restricted to staff only as Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service reacts to the Government's move to initiate the 'delay' phase of its Coronavirus response.

A cliff fall at Pennington Point yesterday (March 15) has compromised access to the Alma Bridge project and poses a 'risk to life', according to a county councillor.

East Devon District Council (EDDC) is aware of the damage done by the cliff fall and is organising a meeting with stakeholders to decide what to do next.

In the last few days listening to all the news of the development of the Corona virus around the world I have been brought back to my days at university when I was studying for my degree in Biology and Chemistry.

Among the many things that crossed my mind there was something I remember being said to us by one of our lecturers. How true it was, I don't know, but at the moment it looks like his words were filled with great wisdom and knowledge. He said to us: "Nature has its own ways of controlling the population and that is the reason we see famine and epidemics, war and natural disasters occurring at times.

The family of a 23-year-old man who died after a collision on an A30 slip road on Friday, March 6, have paid tribute to him.

Police have officially named the man, Hamish Culling, and his family have published a heartfelt tribute to him.

The coronavirus outbreak could have the biggest impact on people's day-to-day lives since the Second World War, Devon County Council's chief executive has said.

Speaking at Thursday's Health and Adult Care Scrutiny Committee, Dr Phil Norrey outlined the way in which Devon is tackling and responding to the Covid-19 outbreak.

East Devon District Council has, in partnership with Public Health England, published new advice for people in Sidmouth with confirmed Coronavirus or those who are self-isolating after displaying the virus' symptoms.

Here is the advice from Public Health England: