KentOnline

There’s a warning not to get Covid complacent as cases in Kent fall below the national average.
New data shows how the third national lockdown has seen a dramatic drop in the number of people with coronavirus in the county.
But the man in charge of public health in Kent is warning it’s still far too early to ease restrictions and infection rates need to fall even further.
Also in today’s podcast, find out why conservation groups are urging the government not to build a theme park on land in north Kent.
And, the Bake Off star giving their support to an animal sanctuary in the county.

Schools have been closed, rubbish collections cancelled and even limits brought in on how much bread and milk can be bought in some shops as Kent shivers under a blanket of snow.A weather warning is in force until Wednesday night with forecasters saying temperatures will struggle to get much above freezing.And an icy wind will make it feel even colder if you’re venturing outside.
We’ve been speaking to South East 4×4 Response who are on standby to help anyone who gets stranded, highways bosses who are responsible for trying to keep the roads clear of snow and ice, and the Met Office on what’s in store for the next few days.Also in today’s podcast, hear from community reporter Oliver Kemp who’s been speaking to workers who, despite not being on the front line during the pandemic, are still having to go out to work every day.Plus, hear from the Gillingham boss following their most recent game, and we catch up with one of Kent’s cricketers as they get ready for the new season.

A letter leaked to the KentOnline Podcast warns staff working at a Covid testing site in Kent about drug taking, illicit sex and fake test results.
The runway at the former Manston airport was turned into a lorry park shortly before Christmas when French authorities insisted on hauliers having a negative test before entering the country.
Hear from a worker at the site.
Also in today’s podcast – there’s yet another call for Folkestone’s Napier Barracks to be evacuated as soon as possible.
A Kent teenager’s urging other young people not to get any more isolated than they already are as part of Children’s Mental Health Week.
And we’ve been catching up with Gillingham striker Vadaine Oliver ahead of their game against Lincoln City.
 

The family of a Dartford woman who took her own life after suffering at the hands of her bullying boyfriend say she’s been cheated of justice.
Gemma Robinson was left with a fractured eye socket and covered in bruises after one attack.
She died last summer, seven months before 34-year-old Joseph Falconer, who now lives in St Leonards, was locked up for the brutal attack, fraud and casing criminal damage.
Hear from her sister and dad who spoke outside court.
Also in today’s podcast, it’s Time To Talk day and we speak to a woman from Ramsgate who’s struggled with lockdown along with the director of the Time to Change campaign.

Hear the moment a barber took a phone call from a customer as police called at his business in Northfleet.
The owner was fined after admitting he was still cutting people’s hair even though his business should be closed during lockdown.
Penalties were also handed to a group found playing football in Dartford – one of them had travelled from Lancashire.
Also in today’s podcast, it’s a condition that not many people have heard of but is thought to affect 1 in 6 adult.
Find out how misophonia affects one woman from Canterbury and hear from experts who fear more people could be suffering during lockdown.

Door-to-door testing is under way in and around the ME15 area of Maidstone after a case of a new variant of coronavirus was discovered.
The person who had the South African strain had not been to the country or in touch with anyone who had.
10,000 test are now being carried out to see if anyone else in the community has got it but isn’t showing any symptoms.
In today’s podcast, hear from the leader of Maidstone Borough Council, the man in charge of public health in Kent, the head of Kent Search and Rescue and the headteacher of Tiger Primary school.
We’ve also got a round up of other top stories from the county and new on a new arrival at Priestfield stadium.

Door-to-door coronavirus tests are going to be carried out in part of Kent after a case of the South Africa variant was discovered in the county.
It’s of particular interest because the person involved had not visited the country or been in contact with anyone who had.
Also in today’s podcast, we hear about a new mass vaccination site that’s going to open in Tonbridge.
A man from Folkestone speaks out after becoming the victim of a Covid vaccine scam email.
It’s the start of Children’s Mental Health Week.
And, we hear from the Gillingham boss following their 2-2 draw at Sunderland over the weekend.

A fire has broken out at an army barracks in Folkestone being used to house asylum seekers.Emergency crews were called to Napier Barracks and videos posted on social media show dozens of people gathered outside and alarms can be heard.Also in today’s podcast, there are concerns about elderly people having to queue outside Kent’s first mass Covid vaccination centre.It’s though there could be staycation boom in Kent this summer with uncertainty remaining over when we’ll be able to travel abroad again.We hear from Rita Ora who stars in a new modern-day film version of Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist.And, Gillingham defender Ryan Jackson chat ahead of their trip to Sunderland this weekend.

Police have released footage of some of the most blatant breaches of lockdown restrictions in Kent.
Officers have revealed they issued another 202 fines last weekend bringing the total for this year to almost 800.
In the podcast, hear the moment officers discover a card game going on in a disused shop in Chatham and a woman out driving, despite having coronavirus.
Also in today’s episode, a Maidstone family say they are overwhelmed by the money that’s been raised to pay for a cancer drug for their teenage daughter.
And could people living in Dartford soon have to pay £3.50 to drive into neighbouring Bexley? Hear what’s been going on in the Commons.

The Prime Minister has confirmed schools in Kent will not be welcoming back all pupils until at least March 8.
Boris Johnson has been giving an update in the Commons on how the government could start to ease the current national lockdown.
He said getting all children back to class remained their top priority.
We’ve been chatting to homeschooling mum and My Kent Family editor Lauren Abbott.
Also in today’s podcast, we speak to the man in charge of Kent’s first mass Covid vaccination centre.
An expert from Canterbury Cathedral reveals how an entire stained glass window will be transported to the British Museum.
And, Gillingham’s assistant boss reacts to their 4-1 win over Crewe Alexandra in league one.