Council provides update on its services with regard to the COVID-19 response

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council has continued to implement a range of measures to assist in the fight to limit the spread of Covid-19 and to enable it to continue to deliver its critical services.

The Council’s recently launched Community Coordination Hub has responded to over 700 requests received from the NI Covid-19 Community Helpline to assist residents who have become isolated and vulnerable due to the impacts of Coronavirus. The hub is working with the local community and voluntary sector to ensure those most at risk have access to support services such as food, medication, practical and emotional support.

The Council has also developed an online self-referral process to expedite requests for food parcels. The parcels are provided by the Department for Communities for residents who are unable to leave their home to access food due to Covid-19 restrictions, who do not have support through family or friends, access to food deliveries from local suppliers or face food insecurity. To date, more than 730 food parcels and have been delivered. The Council is working in partnership with Fermanagh Community Transport and Easilink to distribute food parcels.

Residents can self-refer by completing the Food Parcel Request Form available on the Council website. 

Almost £61,000 has been disbursed through the Council’s Covid-19 Community Funding programme since its launch on  3 April. The streamlined funding process has thus far enabled 18 community groups, clubs and organisations to access funds quickly to assist the most vulnerable in the district as the Coronavirus pandemic continues to impact upon local communities.

Applicants are encouraged to work together to maximise funding to address key priorities across geographical areas.

For more information on Covid-19 Community Funding or to apply for funding go directly to https://fermanaghomagh.eformz.info/

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council is continuing to deliver its full household bin collection service to 46,000 households across the district each week with minimum disruption.  Please ensure bins are presented for collection by 7am, bin handles are wiped down and follow official advice on bagging waste if there is someone with suspected or confirmed coronavirus in your household.

In line with Stay at Home advice, birth registrations at the Grange, Omagh and County Buildings, Enniskillen, are suspended up until 30 April 2020.  Please email registrar@fermanaghomagh.com or phone 028 8225 6212 or 028 6634 2428 if you require advice.

Speaking about Fermanagh and Omagh District Council’s response, the Council Chair, Councillor Siobhán Currie, said:

“The Council is committed to ensuring that the safety of the general public and Council staff remains foremost in our minds.

I am pleased that the Community Funding package has already proven to be beneficial in enabling community groups and organisations to respond quickly to provide assistance to those in most need at this time and to help mitigate against the difficult circumstances which the vulnerable and isolated in our communities find themselves at this time.”

The Council Chair also paid tribute to the residents of the Fermanagh and Omagh district in the manner in which they have responded to the restrictions with regard to the Covid-19 pandemic.

“I know that the position we find ourselves in at this time is extremely challenging. The wonderful weather we have been enjoying over the Easter period has made staying at home that bit more difficult. However, we are all in this together and I would like to pay tribute to the residents of the district who are doing their utmost to ensure they are following government guidelines to minimise the risk posed by Covid-19. I would reiterate my plea to everyone to continue to undertake social distancing, travel only if it is essential and continue to wash your hands regularly.

I would also like to pay tribute to the Council staff who are undertaking frontline duties with commendable commitment.  I know that they deeply appreciate the pictures and messages which have appeared on bins and on social media over the last two weeks thanking them for the work they are doing.

Expanding on the frontline services, the Council Chair said:

“I speak on behalf of all the residents of the district in paying tribute to all key frontline workers in whatever sphere they are operating be they healthcare workers, farmers, food producers, shop workers, transport workers, everyone who is contributing to ensuring that life is as normalised as possible during this most difficult time. Thank you all.”

Fermanagh and Omagh District Council continues to support the other statutory agencies in the fight to stem the spread of this disease.

Due to the fast-changing nature of the Covid-19 situation, the Council advises there may be further changes to its scheduled services, as and when operational demands require. While some of these changes may be at short notice, the Council will endeavour to keep people up to date of any changes as quickly as possible.

Up to date information will be posted on the Council’s website and Facebook and Twitter social media channels, @fermanaghomagh.

Council offices remain closed to the public during this time. To contact Fermanagh and Omagh District Council please telephone 0300 303 1777 (calls charged at local rate) Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm or email info@fermanaghomagh.com.

For up to date information and advice on COVID-19  please visit www.publichealth.hscni.net or www.nidirect.gov.uk/campaigns/coronavirus-covid-19.