All our help and information for 16/07/2020 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:
Webinar offers support for local businesses
Somerset’s Director of Public Health will be joined by Somerset business leaders for unique opportunity to discuss COVID-19 and what it means for your business – both now and in the future.
The webinar will focus on the Somerset business recovery plan and what you need to do if your business has a confirmed case of COVID-19.
There will also be information about the support that is available for businesses now, and ongoing, to help them thrive, grow and recover, plus an opportunity to put questions to a panel of business leads on any COVID-19 related business matters.
The webinar event will take place on Wednesday 22 July from 7pm to 8pm – you can join the event here.
Resources to help in case of local outbreak
To support businesses to know the exact steps they need to take if a customer, visitor or staff member has suspected or confirmed Coronavirus, the Council have produced a range of ‘checklist’ leaflets.
Available to download here, there are leaflets and posters for businesses, accommodation providers and visitors to Somerset. All set out the importance of self-isolating if anyone starts to develop symptoms, ensuring a test has been arranged (using accommodation postcode if visiting Somerset) and Public Health England have been contacted on 0300 303 8162.
Please share these with any Somerset business to help us get the word out.
Face coverings to become mandatory in shops
From 24 July in England, it will be mandatory to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets, as well as on public transport.
Exemptions include young children, people with breathing difficulties and people living with a disability. Measures can be taken if people do not comply with this law. Transport operators can deny service or direct someone to wear a face covering.
Help further improve Somerset’s streets
There is still time to have your say on the temporary walking and cycling measures introduced across Somerset as part of the coronavirus response.
A number of temporary measures, including pedestrianised high streets, introduced to encourage social distancing and positively support the safe movement of pedestrians and cyclists, have now been in operation for around 4 weeks.
Help inform future schemes by adding your feedback and comments here.
More libraries open for order-and-collect
The phased reopening of Somerset’s libraries has continued this week with a collection service introduced from even more buildings.
Library buildings in Frome, Yeovil, Minehead and Bridgwater opened for the order-and-collect service on Monday 13 July, with members able to choose up to 10 books for collection.
Customers can use a Reading Request form and receive a selection of hand-picked books, DVDs or talking books, based on the types of authors or genres that are of interest to them.
Funding boost to support victims of domestic abuse
Somerset’s domestic abuse service is set to receive a share of a half million-pound fund to support local services.
The money will be used to strengthen our response to any potential change in demand and complexity of need in the recovery phase of lockdown.
Somerset County Council’s service provider, The You Trust, is one of 17 local support services who help victims and survivors of domestic abuse and sexual violence, which will benefit from the fund.