A huge 'thank you' to every pupil, every parent or carer and every member of school staff in East Sussex for helping smooth the full return to classrooms this week.  

Students are now back in every one of the county's 187 schools and catching up on their learning after months of disruption. Figures are still coming in, but it's already clear that the vast majority of East Sussex pupils were back in class this week with 100% attendance in several schools. School transport is running well and still has space available.

We know it's not simple to adjust to the new rules, layouts and arrangements needed to make schools as safe as possible but the positive attitude of young people and their parents is making it work. 

More on our website, including tips for parents helping their kids to adapt to the return to school.

A message from Darrell Gale, Director of Public Health for East Sussex

"We're lucky that East Sussex has lower rates of Covid-19 than many other parts of the country. Even so, cases are gradually rising here as they are across England and I expect this to continue following the easing of restrictions in recent months. We must recognise this and we ALL need to act to reduce infection in our community.

"First of all, this means following the new law which comes into force on Monday - no gathering should be of more than six people (though it doesn't apply at work or in education). 

"Also, we must keep up those basic things (which you may be bored of hearing about but which are still vital):

• keep 2 metres apart from other people where possible
• regularly wash your hands
• immediately self-isolate and arrange a test if you have symptoms of the virus (a new persistent cough, a change in smell or taste, or a fever).  
• wear a face covering in shops and other enclosed public places if you possibly can (but respect people who don't, they may have very good reasons not to and we all have the right to feel safe). 

"We did really well in supporting each other during lockdown. We must keep being kind to each other and recognise that we're all different and have our own ways of navigating these difficult and changing times.

"Meanwhile, we're working hard to prepare against any local outbreak and to support our residents and businesses. We have updated our local outbreak plan for East Sussex and it will be discussed on Thursday (17 Sept) by the body overseeing our response, the Health and Well-being Board. The meeting will be broadcast live online. 

"Let's look after each other and prevent a local outbreak."

Revised Outbreak Control Plan

Meeting of the Health and Wellbeing Board

Latest Covid case report for East Sussex

MORE than £45 million will be injected into our local economy  to aid recovery from the impact of Covid-19.

The East Sussex Economy Recovery Plan is published this week and sets out how investment will be used over the coming years to support businesses hardest hit by the global pandemic  

Among the projects that will be funded are:

• Development of the historic Observer building in Hastings
• A new commercial and medical centre in Bexhill
• A business and skills centre in Lewes
• A new fishing quay in Eastbourne
• The world's first solar farm to power railways in Wealden

Read the full plan, published by the Team East Sussex partnership, online 

The Ageing Well Festival is here to inspire generations to live long and full lives and to show you’re never too old to work on your health and wellbeing and above all have fun.

Celebrate Older People’s Day with the Ageing Well Festival 2020 – events will take place online throughout September and October with a range of informative events, quizzes and creative activities.

Take a look at what's on and read some inspiring stories: Celebrating Older People’s Day with the Ageing Well Festival