ONLY emergency and urgent housing repairs will be carried out at council properties in Ellesmere Port and Neston for the foreseeable future.

Cheshire West and Chester Council's housing management provider ForHousing has now stopped routine repairs due to the coronavirus outbreak.

This applies to all council housing tenants in Ellesmere Port, Neston and Winsford and tenants at the council’s Gypsy and Traveller sites.

ForHousing has made these changes following Government guidelines on observing social distancing, in order to reduce the spread of the virus and to protect tenants and staff. Tenants can still report all repairs by phone, email or live chat.

If repairs are not classed as an emergency or urgent repair, they will still be logged but it will not be possible, at present, to give a time when the repair can be undertaken.

Emergency repairs include:

• An uncontainable water leak / burst.

• Total loss of power supply.

• A blocked toilet (if there is only one in the home).

• A gas leak.

Urgent repairs include:

• Partial loss of power supply.

• Leaks that can be contained.

• Leaks from the roof.

• Loss of heating or hot water.

A council spokesman said: "If you need a repair and are unsure what category it is in, please message ForHousing on their live chat, email them on hello@forhousing.co.uk or call them on 0300 123 5522.

"If you have an emergency or urgent repair but are feeling unwell, with a cough, high fever or difficulty breathing, please let ForHousing know so that they can put in place measures to come into your home in a safe way.

"As part of the social distancing measures, the ForHousing reception service is now closed. Only visits at ForHousing offices by people with a pre-booked appointment can be accepted. Anyone without an appointment should contact ForHousing via email, phone or live chat.

"The council fully supports ForHousing in adopting these measures to protect staff and tenants and stop the spread of the virus. The council will continue to work with all of our partners to ensure that all possible actions are taken to minimise the risk to residents and those delivering key services across the borough."