Non-essential retail businesses across the District have been reopening their doors to the public this week, after the Government updated their official guidance.

Shops are allowed to open if they have implemented strict social distancing and safety measures.

Thank you to everyone who is heading out safely to support local businesses during this challenging time.

(Pictured: Alice at Alice's Dog Grooming, Henfield)

Council officers have been hard at work providing towns and villages with safety posters, floor stickers and resources to help give customers confidence to shop local.

Find out more about the work we are doing to help keep everyone safe while supporting the local economy.

Please continue to stay apart and respect other residents as you return to towns and villages, as well as shop owners and staff who are working exceptionally hard to keep everyone safe.

(Pictured: Keep left signage in Jenger's Mead, Billingshurst)

#QuitForCOVID

Throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, Horsham Wellbeing has been supporting local residents to quit smoking in support of the national campaign #QuitForCovid.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a respiratory infection, it affects the lungs and airways. Quitting smoking is the best thing you can do to protect yourself and others, and reduce the impact on NHS services.

If you would like support to quit smoking then please contact Horsham District Wellbeing on: 01403215111 or email info@horshamdistrictwellbeing.org.uk

Loneliness Awareness Week

We all feel lonely sometimes, but the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak has made it harder to be with others – particularly if you are shielding and staying at home.

If you're feeling lonely at the moment, the NHS have come up with some simple tips that may help. Different things work for different people, so try to find what works for you, and seek further support if you feel you need it.

What you can do if you feel lonely during the coronavirus outbreak

The Council is supporting the 2020 national Keep Britain Tidy campaign, encouraging residents to exercise compassion and show respect for the environment when using public spaces by not littering or fly-tipping and disposing of waste responsibly during the coronavirus pandemic.

Litter has become an increasing problem in public spaces during the lockdown, most notably in and around parks and countryside sites, which are seeing a higher volume of visitors than usual. With summer on its way, the Council is calling for compassion to help reduce littering and fly-tipping across the District.

Alongside the national campaign and to meet the increased demand, the Council have increased how often public bins and dog waste bins are being emptied, including the use of QR codes on dog bins to help speed up reporting and response times.

Find out more