All our help and information for 05/06/2020 is now available in a single place on the SCC website https://www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-latest-advice/
This page is refreshed through the day so please check in regularly to keep across developments and news.
Top stories today:
Somerset leaders urge people to take action to minimise the spread of coronavirus
Health and care organisations from across Somerset have joined together to remind people to follow Government social distancing rules to minimise the increase of positive cases of coronavirus across communities.
The warning comes as new figures show the rate of transmission of the virus – known as the “R value” for the south west has increased to 1.0.
Louise Woolway, Deputy Director of Public Health said the increase highlights the importance of following all government guidelines to cut the spread of the virus and to protect the NHS: “Although Somerset continues to have low overall numbers of positive coronavirus cases compared to other parts of the country, this is a stark reminder that the virus is still active in our local communities and has not gone away,” she said.
Somerset County Council’s Director of Children’s Services Julian Wooster explained that advice to school head teachers was constantly reviewed and thanked them for their support.
“Heads, teachers and other education staff have worked hard over the past couple of months to keep children safe and now to expand lessons in primary schools. We are keeping a very watchful eye on all the data. This new transmission rate figure is just one part of the picture here in Somerset but an important one and none of us can afford to relax and ignore the guidelines.”
Residents urged to watch out for coronavirus ‘test and trace’ scam
Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards Service is warning residents to be aware of scammers looking to exploit the new NHS Test and Trace service.
The government system, which launched last week, is designed to reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) by quickly testing people with symptoms and either phoning, texting or emailing whoever they have had close contact with to tell them to isolate for 14 days.
Recycling sites: plastics and wood taken from 8 June
Somerset’s recycling sites will accept more materials from next week. From Monday 8 June, all 16 sites will take plastic pots, tubs and trays; waste wood (man-made or natural); small household electrical items (such as toasters); and paint.
This is as well as the other materials already being accepted as the service moves back towards business as usual after sites were closed due to COVID-19.
Face coverings to become mandatory on public transport
The government will work with operators to make it mandatory for passengers to wear face coverings when using public transport in England. Face coverings are not the same as face masks. It is important that people do not use medical grade masks to ensure these remain available for frontline staff.
£120k for temporary measures to encourage walking and cycling
Somerset has been allocated £120,000 in emergency funding for temporary measures to encourage walking and cycling. The Department for Transport has now confirmed details of the first £45m from its £250m emergency active travel fund.
The five Local Authorities in Somerset have been working with the police and other partners to identify a list of priority action areas (“quick wins”).