News in Congleton

Virtually all visiting at Macclesfield Hospital and Congleton Hospital's Aston Unit has been suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

An East Cheshire NHS Trust spokesperson said: "In line with further national guidance related to COVID-19 (coronavirus), all visiting has been suspended at Macclesfield Hospital and Congleton Hospital's Aston Unit with immediate effect, apart from if a patient is receiving end-of-life care or a visitor is a parent or appropriate adult visiting a child.

Congleton Town's hopes of resuming the season were dealt a hammer blow with news this afternoon (Thursday, 26 March) that the campaign will be scrapped.

The Bears were 14th in the North West Counties Football League Premier Division.

Congleton Town Council is getting behind the big clap for the NHS tonight by turning the Town Hall blue.

This is a mark of respect and appreciation for all the incredibly hard working NHS staff who are on the front line of the fight against Coronavirus.

Contractor Graham, currently building the Congleton link road, is appealing to families to make sure their children stay away from the site to prevent accidents.

With the health service under huge pressure, Cheshire East Council is urging all parents – and their children – to stay safe and not put themselves at risk.

Cheshire Fire & Rescue Service is encouraging Congleton residents to listen to government advice and stay indoors, and only travel on the roads when absolutely necessary.

The pressure being placed on the NHS by the escalating situation with regard to coronavirus is well known – and the situation is likely to be with us in the coming months.

Congleton Food Hub, which is located at the town hall and launched on Monday has made several deliveries throughout the area to key workers, the elderly, vulnerable and those that are self-isolating.

The food hub was organised by Shaun Radcliffe and Congleton Town Council.

As part of further measures to combat the Covid-19 pandemic, all markets run by Cheshire East Council in Macclesfield, Congleton and Crewe – both indoor and outdoor – will close with immediate effect.

Since the Prime Minister's announcement on Monday (23 March 2020), the council allowed the markets to remain open for those stalls selling essential items, such as food.

In order to meet pressures relating to coronavirus and free up theatre staff, births are being temporarily relocated from Macclesfield District General Hospital to neighbouring maternity units as a safety measure.

The measure is necessary because East Cheshire NHS Trust, which runs the hospital, has a small numbers of anaesthetists who would be unable to provide cover both for maternity-related procedures such as emergency caesarean sections and an expected rise in patients being treated for COVID-19.

PCSO Carter has been on foot patrol this morning in Congleton and came across this colourful rainbow.

Circling around all of the UK, hundreds of school children are making their rainbows and putting them up in their windows to spread some hope since the Coronavirus outbreak.

The government has announced this morning that MOT tests are to be suspended for six months - though it will not come into force until 30th March.

Drivers with an expiring MOT before Monday the 30th, who need to use their vehicle, will still need to get their vehicle tested to stay legal on the road.