All our help and information for 26/08/2020 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:
Coronavirus cases in Somer Valley area
Somerset County Council is working closely with Bath & North East Somerset Council and Public Health England following an increase in confirmed cases in the Somer Valley area.
Although the number of confirmed cases has gone up, there is no cause for serious concern and all appropriate actions are being taken.
However, it is of the utmost importance that to prevent the virus spreading further in the Somer Valley and beyond, everyone must continue to observe social distancing, wash their hands thoroughly and regularly and wear face coverings when appropriate. This includes if someone in your household gets a fever, new continuous cough or loss of sense or smell, making sure you keep socially distanced and isolate them whilst they are waiting for their test results.
Anyone identified as a close contact of a positive case will be contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service and asked to self-isolate.
Contacts of a confirmed case should get tested only if they get symptoms. Even if people test negative, they must continue to self-isolate for 14 days.
Anyone not identified as a close contact does not need to self-isolate or book a test unless they start to develop symptoms.
Trudi Grant, Somerset’s Director of Public Health, said: “Our teams are closely monitoring the data across Somerset so we know exactly what’s going on and are ready to react and respond before things escalate. At this location, the warning signs are there – we are seeing an increase in cases and that means everyone needs to step up. We can all play our part in reducing the spread by taking simple steps and following the latest guidance when it comes to hygiene, social distancing, testing and self isolating.”
People returning to the UK from countries on the UK quarantine list should self-isolate for 14 days.
Anyone who thinks they have coronavirus symptoms should book a test via the Government portal or call 119.
For all updates on coronavirus from Somerset County Council click below.
Concessionary fares: change from 1 September
Somerset County Council took the decision in March to relax its Concessionary Fare Scheme times, to make sure concessionary bus pass holders were able to make essential journeys before 9:30am during the Covid-19 pandemic. From 1 September SCC is re-introducing the 9:30am scheme start time to ensure there’s enough capacity on the network for the return of school and college students. Bus operators have been notified of this change, and bus passes will not be accepted on ticket machines before 9:30am, unless travelling on an exempted route.
Growth Support Kickstart Grant Scheme
Small businesses and the tourism sector across Somerset, Devon, Plymouth and Torbay will be able to apply for grants of up to £3,000 through the Growth Support Kickstart Grant Scheme.
The Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership (HotSW LEP) has been awarded a £771,164 share of government funding to help with the economic recovery in the region.
The aim of the fund is to support as many businesses as possible, with grants being issued on a first come first served basis through the completion of a simple application form.
It is hoped the fund will be open for applications before the end of the month. In the meantime, to help businesses prepare, an ‘Information and Guidance’ document and FAQs have been published on the South West Local Enterprise Partnership’s Kickstart grant website and businesses are encouraged to read this.
The funding is due to be administered by The European Regional Development Funded (ERDF) Heart of the South West Growth Support Programme.
Advice for travelling abroad
With the summer holidays still in full swing, many of us will be travelling abroad for our break. You can stay up-to-date with the latest government news on travel corridors – this is the list of countries and territories you can travel to from England and may not have to self-isolate – on the government website, as well as sign up for email updates.
There is also lots of information on the website about how to self-isolate if you need to when you return.
Keep up to date with restrictions
Make sure you understand what you can and can’t do and what restrictions are in place to help stop the spread of coronavirus and keep everyone safe. Keep up to date with the government’s FAQs on its website.
Send to a friend
These coronavirus bulletins are now available to anyone. Please send to a friend who would like to stay up to date with the latest developments. To sign up simply visit www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus.