East Devon services affected by second lockdown

East Devon District Council has put measures in place to abide by the national coronavirus lockdown restrictions introduced last week.

Most services will continue as normal and 20 public toilets, which are being cleaned daily to strict COVID-19 guidelines, remain open during the lockdown period, from 8am to 7pm each day.

A full list of public toilet facilities which are currently open can be found on the East Devon District Council website. Those which remain closed include toilets in Seaton Hole and Marsh Road in Seaton, and the Harbour Road/Thury Harcourt Place facilities are closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.

District council parks, gardens and play areas remain open, although the council is following government guidance to close outdoor gyms, including the newly-installed outdoor gym at Seafield Gardens.

Skateparks and multi-use games areas were initially set to remain open but following further guidance have now been closed.

Sports pitch bookings and events on council land have been cancelled up until and including December 2. People who rent district council beach huts all year round at Exmouth chalets and Beer are not able to use them.

Government guidance says that holiday homes must also not be used during the four week lockdown.

The council's ten nature reserves remain open, although no events will be running and all volunteer activities will stop during the lockdown.

The four bird hides at Seaton Wetlands will remain open as do the toilets, but the Discovery Hut remains closed.

The council's recycling and waste service will continue as normal and Devon County Council has confirmed that household recycling centres will remain open during the new lockdown period. Reuse shops at the recycling centres are closed.

As residents may do more shopping online as non-essential shops have closed, the council is expecting to collect more cardboard from the kerbside. As always, the crews will collect as much as they can but may have to leave some materials if very large quantities are put out. Residents should store their card and put it out gradually over the next collection days.

Households are reminded that if they have coronavirus, their recycling and waste needs to be handled carefully before being put out for collection to help prevent further spread of the virus. For more detailed information, visit the East Devon District Council website.

The council's housing repairs service for tenants will operate normally with full social distancing and PPE guidelines in place.

The Thelma Hulbert Gallery in Honiton is closed for the next four weeks and will have an online presence on its website.

Leisure East Devon facilities across the district have also close until December 2.

The council's offices at Honiton and Exmouth remain closed to the public, but you can call them on 01404 515616 to talk to an officer or arrange to meet them Covid-securely. In the meantime, the East Devon website and social media is being regularly updated with the latest information for residents, communities and businesses.

The council also sends out a residents' coronavirus newsletter and you can sign up to receive this by email by clicking here.

A spokesperson for the council said: "We continue to review and adapt as necessary, and working together, helping each other and, above all, following the government guidance will get us through this next phase of the pandemic."