Coronavirus (Covid-19) - Latest news
Representatives from a broad range of business sectors have begun discussions with Orkney’s newly established Economic and Business Response and Recovery Group on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic.
A call centre to provide essential information and support to the most vulnerable people in Orkney has been established which will open formally on Monday.
The NHS is notifying all those most at risk – and for whom the new service is aimed at - by letter.
Following recent measures put in place by the UK and Scottish Government in response to the coronavirus pandemic, Orkney Islands Council has clarified the categories of ‘key workers’ required to support essential services locally.
Are you out of work, recently retired, or can you spare even a couple of hours a week? Orkney Islands Council is looking at ways to staff vital service areas in response to the Covid-19 outbreak and one of the options will be offering additional short-term employment.
As part of the efforts to help to delay the spread of COVID-19, the Registration Office at Kirkwall is closed to the public until further notice.
Public toilets and pier waiting rooms across the Mainland and the isles are being closed as part of Orkney Islands Council’s response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Businesses can now apply for grants to help them deal with the impact of the coronavirus outbreak.
Orkney Islands Council are advising that as of Thursday, 26 March, new revised public bus timetables will come into effect until further notice.
Visiting can no longer take place at care homes operated by Orkney Health and Care in response to the strengthening of nationwide measures to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
Orkney Islands Council is now focusing its efforts on the most essential services the local community requires – after the UK and Scottish Governments announced stringent new measures to tackle the coronavirus pandemic.
Orkney Local Emergency Co-ordination Group (OLECG) met virtually today in response to the latest developments in the coronavirus pandemic - with representatives involved from all key agencies across the county.
Following advice from our Executive Director and Head of Service I have to inform you that the Orkney Islands Council - Building Standards service has been temporarily suspended until the current COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted, or alternative measures have been implemented to allow staff to undertake work from home.
Orkney Islands Council’s Housing Service is advising that due to the current COVID-19 situation and recent guidance for contractors, only emergency repairs will be carried out within their houses – for example internal power failure or leak.
Orkney Islands Council continues to take steps to ensure childcare is provided in schools and nurseries for the children of key workers.
The five Recycling Centres in Orkney – at Hatston, Garson, Cursiter, St Margaret’s Hope and Bossack – remain open as normal at present.
Following the announcement earlier this afternoon that the Scottish Government has requested all local authorities to take extra steps to support the most vulnerable in our community, Council officers have swung into action this afternoon to get this up and running.
Over the weekend, Orkney Islands Council’s education staff have responded to 250 applications for childcare for key workers' children and young people under the age of 16.
Visiting restrictions to our Care Homes are now in place following guidance from Scottish Government and Health Protection Scotland to help delay the spread of COVID-19.
Orkney Islands Council, Business Gateway Orkney and other partner agencies have established an Economic and Business Response and Recovery Group.
With recent developments in the coronavirus outbreak, we understand that many Council Tax payers may be worried about the bills for the new financial year that we recently issued
Orkney Islands Council has launched a new online platform which will make it easier to get in touch, make online payments and to report and track issues and requests.
The Council has responded to the announcement from the Scottish Government that schools and local authority nurseries will close from Friday afternoon (20 March).
Leisure, cultural and library facilities in Orkney will close to the public later this week as part of efforts to help prevent infection by the coronavirus.
Following yesterday's announcement on school closures by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, the Council is awaiting clarification from the Scottish Government on the detail behind this.
Detailed planning has taken place over recent weeks to ensure the Council can respond as effectively as possible in the event of Covid-19 cases in Orkney.
