Coronavirus update 3 April 2020

A message from Dine Romero, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council

Hello, 

Each day brings a new challenge for each and everyone of us. Over the past weeks we have seen and heard of so many great examples of communities across Bath and North East Somerset pulling together in these challenging times. Thank you.

It has been a quite extraordinary few weeks and the current situation is likely to continue for some time to come so I encourage you to share the information from our website and social media.  

We have also set up a dedicated coronavirus email address covid-19incidentcomms@bathnes.gov.uk for you to send us covid-related queries. 

With good weather forecast for the weekend there is a real temptation to go out and enjoy the sunshine but we are urging you to continue to follow the Government advice which is very clear:  

• If you go out, you can spread it. People will die.
• Act like you’ve got it, anyone can spread it. 
• Anyone can get it, anyone can spread it.

Support and advice from the Compassionate community hub

Bath & North East Somerset Council, working with 3SG, Virgin Care, local NHS colleagues, have set up a telephone line giving advice and support to those that need it during this period.

The telephone number is 0300 2470050.   It is open 9am to 5pm 7 days a week.

People with concerns over food supply, welfare or wellbeing should seek support and advice from the hub. We are urging those residents who are able to safely get support from family and friends or to order their food or medication on-line, to continue to do so. This means staff operating the phone line can prioritise those who need the most help and get to calls as quickly as possible.


For more information about the hub and volunteering please go here. 

Support for businesses 

Businesses which need to access urgent financial help from the Government due to Coronavirus can do so by using our online form www.bathnes.gov.uk/register-business-grant-due-covid-19

In just 24 hours we have already had more than 800 forms submitted. We have redeployed staff and set up a dedicated team to process these forms to get payments to businesses as soon as possible.

The council’s Invest in Bath business support service is managing the support for small businesses via the two grant-funding schemes: the Small Business Grant Fund and the Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grant Fund.

Any business currently in receipt of Small Business Rate Relief or Rural Rate relief may be eligible for a £10,000 cash grant. Any retail, hospitality or leisure business with a rateable value above £15,000 and below £51,000 may be eligible for a £25,000 cash grant.

The Government announced a new Expanded Retail Discount scheme for retail, leisure and hospitality premises in response to COVID-19. Under the scheme, eligible premises will receive a discount of up to 100% on their bill for 2020/21. For information on eligibility please visit our Information on Retail Discount page.

Government also announced further business support measures which include a job retention scheme, new tax deferments and relaxation of Universal Credit eligibility criteria for those that are self employed. You can find further information on Invest in Bath. If you do have specific concerns, questions or needs at this time please email Invest in Bath at info@investinbath.co.uk and the team will respond directly. 

You can also read the full government documents in response to the impact of COVID 19 on businesses. 

Planning regulations have been relaxed, and stricter health and safety guidance has been imposed, on businesses remaining open to offer food delivery or takeaway services. You can view the new regulations and guidance on our page on Coronavirus support for food businesses.

Health

Public Health England launched a new ‘Act Like You’ve Got It, Anyone Can Spread It’ campaign. The campaign stresses the importance of staying at home and can be used in conjunction with other public information resources available to download on the Campaign Resource Centre Please help us to amplify the message through your networks.

For more information please head to the NHS 111 website.

Below are some useful guidance documents: 

• Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK
• Staying at home and away from others

Waste

We are working hard to keep our recycling and waste services running, thanks to the commitment and dedication of our crews and staff.
 

Rubbish and recycling collections

Garden waste collections

Recycling centres

Schools and childcare

All school children should remain at home, if it is safe for them to do so. Many schools and early years settings will be offering limited child care provision for vulnerable children, and children of 'critical workers'. They are also organising support for families whose children normally receive free school meals. 

To find out more about what will be available and who qualifies for these services, view our page on School and early years provision. To learn what is happening at your child's school or early years setting, go to our pages on Open schools and meal arrangements and Open early years settings.

Highways

Our Highways and Street Lighting teams are continuing to undertake essential maintenance to ensure that the road network remains safe for key workers and those making only essential journeys. They are following strict protective measures to keep themselves and others safe while doing so. Please respect social distancing guidelines and allow them to carry out their roles. Any severe issues on the roads or pavements can be reported online using Fix My Street fix.bathnes.gov.uk link and will be dealt with according to priorities.

Educational and fun activities for parents and children

• 1 Big Database bathnes
• Rainbow Resource 
• Library Facebook  
• Family information online
• Youth Info Instagram
• Roman Baths 
• Fashion Museum 
• Victoria Art Gallery 

For adults needing care or support to live independently 

Scams advice during coronavirus outbreak