Statement from Diana Johnson MP
I know that many of you are concerned about the ongoing global COVID 19 (coronavirus) outbreak.
I sympathise profoundly with the families of those who have lost loved ones, as well as all other individuals who have tested positive for coronavirus. I also pay a huge tribute to all frontline NHS and social care staff and all at NHS England and Public Health England who continue to respond to the outbreak.
Working on behalf of Hull North constituents
In Hull, I am monitoring the situation very closely. I am in contact with the Director of Public Health, the Chief Executives of Hull City Council and Hull and East Yorkshire Hospitals NHS Trust as well as Hull Clinical Commissioning Group. I am having regular briefings with Humberside Police and the Local Resilience Forum for Humberside who oversee the response to the COVID 19 crisis.
I am continuing to share the specific concerns of Hull North constituents with Government, and issues that I have so far raised include: additional financial support for people unable to work, including for the self-employed; helping employees who do not feel safe at work and raising the issue of PPE for care homes. I have also been trying to assist constituents who are stranded abroad.
The Government has issued official guidance, but it is very fast moving so please check regularly for updates by visiting: https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-gov...
For information on coronavirus symptoms and general advice on preventing the spread of the virus, visit the following NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
For information on employment and benefit rights, visit: https://www.citizensadvice.org.uk/health/coronavirus-what-it-means-for-you/
The Foreign Secretary has advised against all but essential travel outside the UK. For regularly updated travel advice, visit: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice
Hull Helpline
Hull City Council has now set up the Hull Helpline for the most vulnerable without support networks. You can contact them on 01482 300307.
Volunteering in Hull North
It is important that there is a properly co-ordinated response for those who wish to help out in Hull at this difficult time.
You can register to volunteer at https://www.absolutelycultured.co.uk/whats-on/events/volunteer-community-support-and-crisis-response/. You can also register to help the NHS by visiting https://www.england.nhs.uk/participation/get-involved/volunteering/nhs-volunteer-responders/.
Arrangements for my office
I continue to represent Hull North constituents at Westminster. My constituency office in Hull is now closed to visitors, but our telephone lines and e-mail remain open. I am continuing to assist constituents with telephone surgeries, in place of face-to-face surgery meetings. In line with medical advice, my staff are now working from home. Our priority is dealing with the COVID 19 pandemic and and at this point we are only noting, but not actioning, any non COVID 19 mass campaigns that are raised with us.
If you have any queries or problems that I can assist with, please contact me on 01482 319135 or e-mail johnsond@parliament.uk. I will get back to you as soon as possible.
Photo attribution: https://www.scientificanimations.com / CC BY-SA (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0)