Coronavirus update 2 July 2020
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A message from Dine Romero, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
Hello
Here in the South West we continue to see lower numbers of cases of Covid-19 than in other parts of the country, but this doesn’t mean we should be complacent about the risk of an outbreak of in our community, our schools, care homes or businesses.
Every council must now have at Local Outbreak Management Plan which sets out how locally the council, NHS and partners will work together to reduce the risk of outbreaks and identify and suppress the spread of the virus if there was an outbreak. An outbreak is two or more people linked in a common way or a sudden increase in cases in B&NES compared to what we’ve been used to. You can find our plan here https://beta.bathnes.gov.uk/coronavirus#LOMB
There is further relaxtion of the government’s lockdown measures this weekend. From Monday the shielding restrictions will give people who are clinically extremely vulnerable the opportunity to enjoy some of the same freedoms many of us are now experiencing. This is a positive step for those who have been in lockdown for so many months.
It is also welcome for our high street business, including pubs, cafes and restaurants, that they too can re-open. However, we will only make a success of these changes if we each play our part including social distancing and good hand hygiene. We do not want a second lockdown like the one Leicester is experiencing and it is down to each of us to avoid this happening in Bath and North East Somerset.
On Wednesday I had the opportunity to see the work that is under way for the reopening of the Roman Baths. Staff are working hard to make sure visitors will be welcomed back safely. Visitor numbers have been reduced so people can maintain physical distancing throughout the site on a new one-way route and there will be plenty of hand sanitisation stations available. More details including an offer for residents through the Discovery Card can be found here Roman Baths website.
Our second phase of safely re-opening high streets and enabling social distancing will be taking place in Keynsham with the temporary closure of the High Street from July 13. This has been supported by the Town Council. Details are here
Tomorrow I will be attending a virtual Resilient Recovery Taskforce roundtable. This is a major national push by mayors and local leaders across the country seeking a New Deal for Green Skills and Growth in the government’s recently announced stimulus package. Locally we are setting up a new Economic & Community Renewal Programme which has green recovery at its heart.
As part of our ongoing series of conversations about the council’s response to Covid-19 we are turning our focus on young people and the key issues they have faced during lockdown.
A panel of young people will talk about their experiences of Covid-19 lockdown at a webinar on Monday July 6 at 5pm. Our panel members will highlight key issues and priorities they want to see included in the council’s post lockdown renewal strategy. There will also be a chance for panellists to ask me questions as well as Councillor Kevin Guy, Cabinet Member for Children’s Services, and Chief Executive Will Godfrey. To register follow this link https://bathnes.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_Pml1M0isSmiQQbVcSPYy2w
You can follow us on twitter, facebook and instagram; subscribe to us on YouTube, read the latest releases on our newsroom and if you sign up on https://nextdoor.co.uk/ we are there too.
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Community Support
Thousands of residents have joined a Compassionate Community in which people are inspired and supported to look after themselves and each other. Community support with health and wellbeing will continue to be available to everyone in Bath and North East Somerset throughout Covid-19 and beyond.
Call 0300 247 0050, email bathnes.thehub@virgincare.co.uk or visit 3sg.org.uk/wellbeing for support with any of the following:
- feeling isolated, lonely or anxious
- money advice and benefits support
- collecting medication
- delivering or accessing food
- stopping smoking
- achieving a healthy weight and keeping active
- employment issues
- housing
This is a partnership between the council Virgin Care, the CCG, 3SG and others including Bath Mind and Citizens Advice BANES.
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Keynsham High Street social distancing measures
Residents and businesses are being advised about a temporary closure of Keynsham High Street from July 13 to provide more space for social distancing.
The road will be closed to vehicles every day between 9am and 5pm except for Dial-a-Ride access.
Cyclists will be able to use the road in both directions at all times. The High Street bus stop will be relocated to Ashton Way.
This road closure, which is supported by Keynsham Town Council, will come into force on Monday July 13 and remain in place for as long as social distancing is necessary.
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The Roman Baths reopening
The Roman Baths will reopen on Monday 6th July. To make your experience safe we’ve reduced our visitor numbers so people can maintain physical distancing throughout the site. We have also moved to pre-booked reservation slots only, including for Discovery Card holders, and introduced a new one-way route throughout the museum with plenty of hand sanitisation stations available. Find out more about how we’re ensuring you have a safe and enjoyable experience on the Roman Baths website.
Free entry is available for all Discovery Card holders and Bath & North East Somerset residents. A special 25% discount on tickets is available for your family and friends, so you can enjoy a visit together. All guest ticket holders will need to accompany the Discovery Card holder/B&NES resident on entry, otherwise regular ticket prices will apply. Book your tickets here www.romanbaths.co.uk/tickets
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Play areas
Our playgrounds will reopen this Saturday. Please remember social distancing, bring hand sanitiser for your children and if the playground is busy you can always come back later. Bath skate park is also open for socially distanced riding and skateboarding. Falling off isn’t the only risk though so please remind young people who use it to follow guidance to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
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Haycombe Cemetery and Crematorium
From Monday 6 July we are increasing the numbers of mourners able to attend funerals. You can find the details and information about Bereavement Services here
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Changes to the lockdown measures
From this Saturday more businesses and venues can reopen provided they are ‘Covid-secure'. Social distancing has also changed to 1m plus where 2m is not possible. Venues that can reopen include:
- Restaurants, cafes, bars, pubs and workplace canteens. People should only visit a restaurant in their household groups (or support bubbles), or with one other household, or with up to five other people outdoors.
- Hotels, hostels, bed and breakfast accommodation, holiday apartments or homes, cottages or bungalows, campsites, caravan parks or boarding houses.
- Hair salons and barbers, including mobile businesses. These businesses must not provide services which remain prohibited in regulations including nail, beauty and tanning services.
- Museums, places of worship, playgrounds, outdoor gyms, libraries and community centres.
Further details are here
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What has changed for those that are shielding?
New plans to ease guidance for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable come into effect from Monday 6 July. These mean:
- you may, if you wish, meet in a group of up to six people outdoors, including people from different households, while maintaining strict social distancing
- you no longer need to observe social distancing with other members of your household
- in line with the wider guidance for single adult households (either an adult living alone or with dependent children under 18) in the general population, you may from this date, if you wish, also form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household. All those in a support bubble will be able to spend time together inside each other’s homes, including overnight, without needing to socially distance
From 1 August guidance on shielding will be paused and people are advised to adopt strict social distancing rather than full shielding measures. In practice this means that from 1 August:
- you can go to work, if you cannot work from home, as long as the business is COVID-safe
- children who are clinically extremely vulnerable can return to their education settings if they are eligible and in line with their peers. Where possible children should practise frequent hand washing and social distancing
- you can go outside to buy food, to places of worship and for exercise but you should maintain strict social distancing
- you should remain cautious as you are still at risk of severe illness if you catch coronavirus, so the advice is to stay at home where possible and, if you do go out, follow strict social distancing
Support from the government will continue for those shielding until the end of July including food packages and medicines. Further details are here
Read PHE’s COVID-19 and summer temperatures blog for more advice on how to stay well in hot weather.
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Driving lessons, theory test and driving tests to restart
Theory tests will restart on July 4 and will take place with social distancing measures in place. Car driving tests will restart in England on Wednesday 22 July. Details are here
MOT testing
Mandatory MOT testing will resume from August 1 the government has set out details here
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Third week for mobile testing unit in Bath
A temporary COVID-19 mobile testing unit, which has been based at Odd Down Park & Ride in Bath, will operate for a third week.
The mobile testing unit (MTU) will be operating within a secure section of the site from Monday July 6 to Friday July 10 and will mean many people will not have to travel to Bristol Airport to get a test.
Only residents who are experiencing symptoms of the virus are urged to book themselves in for a coronavirus test at the unit.
Appointments can be made through https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested or people without internet access can dial 119.
You can ask for a test:
- for yourself, if you have coronavirus symptoms now (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste)
- for someone you live with, if they have coronavirus symptoms
- for a child who lives with you if they have coronavirus symptoms, whatever their age.
The postcode for Odd Down Park & Ride is BA2 8PD.
People with symptoms are also advised to self-isolate at home. No one in the household should leave home if any one person has symptoms. There is more guidance on what this involves on the government’s website at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
Tests at the mobile testing unit are subject to availability and if all appointments in Bath are booked, the alternative testing site at Bristol Airport will
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Coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms
You should self-isolate if you develop a new continuous cough or fever or anosmia. Anosmia is the loss of or a change in your normal sense of smell. It can also affect your sense of taste as the two are closely linked.
Your household should also self-isolate for 14 days as per the current guidelines and you should stay at home for 7 days, or longer if you still have symptoms other than cough or loss of sense of smell.
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Test and trace
The NHS test and trace service has been set up to control the rate of reproduction (R), reduce the spread of the infection and save lives. You can help in the following ways:
- if you develop symptoms, you must continue to follow the rules to self-isolate with other members of your household and order a test to find out if you have coronavirus
- if you test positive for coronavirus, you must share information promptly about your recent contacts through the NHS test and trace service to help us alert other people who may need to self-isolate
- if you have had close recent contact with someone who has coronavirus, you must self-isolate if the NHS test and trace service advises you to do so
This specific guidance applies in England only and further details are here https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
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Don’t forget washing your hands could be a matter of life or death
To help prevent infection, don’t touch your face, eyes, nose or mouth. Wash your hands more often for 20 seconds.
Use soap and water or a hand sanitiser when you:
- Get home or into work
- Blow your nose, sneeze or cough
- Eat or handle food
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Guidance to keep you safe when attending your vaccination appointment
While coronavirus has put limitations on all our lives, it is important that you or your baby or child still have routine vaccinations. They protect against serious and potentially deadly illnesses and stop outbreaks in the community. We recommend that you attend your next scheduled appointment when invited by your GP practice – see www.nhs.uk/vaccinations for details on when they are due.
Travelling to and from your appointment
When travelling to and from your appointment, please follow guidelines which include travelling by car, bike or on foot if possible, keeping a safe distance from others and washing your hands regularly. For more details, go to www.gov.uk and search ‘staying safe outside your home’.
When attending your appointment
When attending your appointment, we will be putting in place a range of measures to minimise any risk of COVID-19:
- social distancing measures will be observed;
- we may have asked you to attend your appointment at a clinic that is not at your usual venue;
- the appointment may take longer than usual.
Due to the ongoing response to COVID-19, our service may have a reduced number of appointment slots available. If you choose not to attend your appointment, please contact your GP practice. It is always helpful for them to know why so they can help you with any concerns you might have. If you still don’t wish to attend the appointment, it can be offered to someone else.
You must NOT attend an appointment if you or any member of your household are suffering from any of the symptoms associated with COVID-19 or are self-isolating. If this applies to you, please contact your GP practice so that you can reschedule your appointment for a different time.
If you are identified as clinically extremely vulnerable and have been shielding, please contact your GP practice for the latest advice on what to do.
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Business
Charities and small or micro businesses affected by COVID-19 which were outside the scope of the first round of Government funding will now be able to apply for a discretionary grant. A second round of registration opened on Monday. Applications can be made via Bath & North East Somerset Council and must be received by July 13. One application is permitted per business within the West of England region and the maximum grant award is £5000.
Updated guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic is here
An update to the guidance for employers about multiple coronavirus outbreaks in the workplace is here
Black in Bath is a new network created to support Black people in Bath and the surrounding area. Find out more here: www.bib-network.org
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Mental health and wellbeing support
If you need mental health and wellbeing support there’s a wealth of information on these pages:
Bathnes 1BD provides information, activities and support for families and children, including mental health and emotional wellbeing. We also have a similar page for adults needing support or care, on Wellbeing Options.
You can call:
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust 0300 303 1320
- The Compassionate Communities Hub 0300 247 0050
- Bath Mind Breathing Space 01225 983130 breathingspace@bathmind.org.uk
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Can't visit a physical library and you want to access our digital services?
You can join online for a 4 month temporary membership that allows you access to many of our digital services - including the library apps.
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Domestic Abuse – At home shouldn’t mean at risk
People who are affected by domestic abuse can contact independent charity Southside on 01225 331243 or enquiries@south-side.org.uk to get in touch with an advisor.
More help is available by calling the National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247 or, in an emergency, dial 999.
Somerset and Avon Rape and Sexual Abuse Support (SARSAS) provides specialist services to people who have experienced rape or any kind of sexual assault or abuse at any time in their lives. Its helpline numbers are 0808 801 0456 and 0808 801 0464. Victim-survivors can email support@sarsas.org.uk.
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Scams
There are a number of scams taking advantage of people during the current situation. Cyber criminals are unfortunately preying on fears of the coronavirus by either sending scam emails that try and trick people into clicking on a false web link so please be extra vigilant.
For advice about avoiding scams follow this link https://www.bathnes.gov.uk/services/trading-standards/rogue-traders-and-scams/internet-scams.
Avon and Somerset Police has also issued this advice here:
https://www.avonandsomerset.police.uk/news/2020/04/stay-safe-online-beware-of-computer-based-scammers-and-fraudsters/
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Easy English
If you know someone who needs coronavirus advice and guidance set out in Easy English please find helpful PHE guidance Coronavirus - Easy Read Guide
There is also advice from Mencap here and there is a version to help explain situation to children here Coronavirus - Child friendly version
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Local agencies
We have been working closely with local agencies and if you would like to find out more about their work please look on their website: RUH, Avon and Somerset Police, Curo, and Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG.
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Tune in
Local radio is a great way of keeping up to date with essential information, if you don’t already you should tune into BBC Radio Bristol, BBC Radio Somerset or BBC Radio Wiltshire.
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Somer Valley FM covers Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Westfield and surrounding villages including Farrington, Paulton, Peasedown, Coleford and Stratton.
Broadcast online and on 97.5fm you can contact at studio@somervalleyfm.co.uk or call 01761 411 755
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Keynsham’s KTCRfm 105.8FM is now broadcasting 24/7.
KTCRfm covers Keynsham, Saltford, Hanham, Bitton, Warmley, Clutton, Timsbury, the Chew Valley and as far south as Temple Cloud. East to the eastern edge of Bath. North across South Gloucestershire to the M4 corridor and west into many parts of Bristol.
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BA1 Radio have been established for a year in Bath and operate from a studio in Southside Youth Hub, broadcasting twelve hours of shows every weekday, focusing on Bath and the local community, including hourly news reports.
website: www.BA1Radio.org
call: 01225 941 080
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