Local Democracy Reporting Service
Herbert Soden

Residents have been evacuated from an apartment complex in Gateshead because of flooding.

Gateshead Housing Company posted on social media about flooding at Eslington Court, in Dunston.

It said everyone had been evacuated safely and rest centres had been set up

In a statement it said: "Due to lack of water and power supply, residents can not yet return home.

"Rest centres and transport have been set up. At the rest centres, we will offer hotel accommodation to everyone who needs it."

“Our priority is the safety of our residents, and we are pleased to say they have all been evacuated safely, in line with public health Covid guidelines.”

Image source, Gateshead council

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Local Democracy Reporting Service

A report has described a number of incidents involving Redcar and Cleveland Council staff apparently breaching coronavirus guidelines.

John Sampson, who worked on the report for members of the council’s employment, health and safety committee, said when challenged some staff had responded by stating they had received a Covid vaccine.

The report said: “It is becoming apparent that in some cases there is a misperception that having a vaccine – or previously being ill with Covid-19 means that it is unnecessary to follow control measures.

“Messaging has been reinforced to highlight that this is not the case and that social distancing and other risk mitigation controls should still be applied."

He added that all current control measures remain in place in council buildings.

A public health boss has warned people not to get carried away as lockdown restrictions are eased.

Two households or groups of up to six people are now able to meet outside and the stay-at-home restrictions have come to an end.

Outdoor sport facilities including tennis courts and golf courses have also reopened, along with organised outdoor sports.

Director of Public Health in Gateshead Alice Wiseman said: "We should all do the things we're supposed to do in terms of keeping that mixing to a minimum, making sure we maintain a social distance, following the rule of six, because if we can't do that we'll see cases start to rise, we'll start to see pressure in our NHS and we'll be taking steps backwards."

Listen to BBC radio commentary from Friday's action in the National League.