A resilience forum of public bodies set up to bind everyone together to deal the Coronavirus crisis has sent an open letter to all Felixstowe residents telling them that this weekend is a public emergency, not a public holiday.

The message from Suffolk's NHS, Emergency and Public Services, who are working together to protect the county and frontline health workers, came the same day as a letter from prime minister Boris Johnson landed on the doormats of many Felixstowe, Trimley and Walton residents.

The public binders' missive urges people to stay at home this Easter holiday, except in exceptional circumstances and underlined the to #Stay at home, #protect the NHS, #save lives, mantra.

The message from the collective making up the Suffolk Resilience forum reads:

We strongly urge you to stay home, stay safe, and stay near where you live this Easter.

To help stop the spread of coronavirus all of us must follow the Government's instructions for the sake of ourselves, our families, our communities, the NHS, and every key worker.

While the vast majority are making sacrifices for the greater good, a minority are not – driving outside of their own immediate area to other locations to exercise, or congregating in parks, beaches and beauty spots.

When exercising the simple truth is: if you cannot get to where you are going in five to 10 minutes, then you have gone too far.

Over the last few weeks the country has stood as one to applaud the heroism of key workers and volunteers, including those in the NHS who are risking their lives to save others.

On behalf of the selfless we must not be selfish.

While others do their duty trying to protect us, do yours by staying in and around your home.

The Government has said you should only leave your property for:

shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible

One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household

Any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

Travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home

Thank you from the services and organisations which make up the Suffolk Resilience Forum.

It is signed by the:

NHS

East of England Ambulance Service Trust

Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service

Suffolk Constabulary

Suffolk Police and Crime Commissioner

Suffolk County Council

Ipswich Borough Council

East Suffolk Council

West Suffolk Council

Babergh District Council,

Mid Suffolk District Council

Environment Agency

Mr Johnson, who is still in hospital recovering from Covid-19, issued one simple instruction in his letter: 'You Must Stay At Home', he also updated the electorate on the latest situation and praise the great British spirit which is being us through this plague.