More closures as the number of cases rises

HUGE changes to the way we live our lives have begun as the number of Covid-19 cases in Macclesfield and Cheshire East rises.

As of Monday there were 18 confirmed cases in Cheshire East and, following the announcement by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the same day, there is widespread lockdown.

The stark message from the government is now people must stay at home, except for very limited purposes.

Non-essential shops and community spaces have closed down and public gatherings of more than two people are banned.

In Macclesfield this has seen the library on Jordangate, as well as those in other areas such as Poynton, close.

Jordangate and Grosvenor car parks were also closed down on Tuesday, March 24.

This came after the news on Friday that leisure centres would shut including the ones on Priory Lane, Macclesfield, and Yew Tree Lane, in Poynton.

In a joint statement Everybody Sport and Recreation and Cheshire East Council said: “It is a priority to put the health and wellbeing of customers and staff first, above anything else.

”As you can expect, these have been very uncertain and unpredictable times and leisure centres will look to close until the end of April, with the closures being under constant review.”

Elsewhere supermarket customers were reporting empty shelves as people panic buy and priority hours for NHS staff and people in vulnerable groups have been introduced.

A large question mark hangs over this year’s Barnaby Festival.

A statement from organisers said: “The team at Barnaby is looking at alternative ways we can deliver our festival, in response to the developing situation.

“We will be in touch with all our funders, partners, stakeholders, artists and communities to ensure that they are kept informed about our plans going forward.”

A warning has been given by police and the council that fraudsters are taking advantage of the coronavirus situation.

They are targeting elderly and vulnerable residents posing as police or health workers to gain entry into homes or even get money for the promise of a coronavirus test.

Police and Crime Commissioner David Keane, said: “It is despicable that fraudsters are exploiting this public health emergency and targeting the most vulnerable people in our communities at a time when they are more vulnerable than ever.”

People are advised to always check for ID and never allow someone into your home unless you both know and trust them.