Folkestone Civic Centre has been confirmed as the Covid-19 Vaccination Centre for Folkestone and Sandgate's The New Surgery, Guildhall Street Surgery, Sandgate Road Surgery & Manor Clinic.

Vaccinations will start week commencing 11 January begin during the week 18-24 January. *

There is more information at http://www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/your-health/coronavirus/covid19vaccine

It's been said before in the last nne months but this bears repeating.

No one should feel as though they are alone during this challenging time. In Folkestone and Hythe the local Community Hubs are here to help those who haven't got alternative support. They can:

• Provide food for those not able to get or prepare it themselves
• Assist with the collection and delivery of food orders
• Collect and deliver medical supplies
• Offer someone to talk to for advice and reassurance

The Chancellor has announced one-off top up grants for retail, hospitality and leisure businesses. They are worth £4,000-9,000 per property to help businesses through to the Spring.

These grants are in addition to previously announced Local Restriction Support Grants worth up to £3,000 a month and the extended furlough scheme.

Ed Davey, Leader of the Liberal Democrats commented on the PM's announcement of a new lockdown:

"This is the public health policy the Prime Minister should have announced before Christmas, but yet again, Boris Johnson ducked the difficult decisions, failed to listen to experts and acted too late.

"Just yesterday morning Johnson was telling parents that schools were safe and children should definitely go. Today he is telling us that they must all move to remote learning but without any proper future plan.

The Leader of Kent County Council has called on the Government to keep schools closed in Thanet, Canterbury, Dover and Folkestone and Hythe. Kent County Council's Liberal Democrat Group Leader Rob Bird and Edication Spokesman Trudy Dean made a similar call yesterday.

Kent County Council Leader Roger Gough and Cabinet Member for Education Richard Long have written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson, urging him to allow East Kent primary schools to remain shut.