All our help and information for 30/07/2020 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:
Rachel, 21, steps up to coronavirus fostering challenge
Faced with the uncertainties of lockdown during a pandemic, there are not too many 21-year-olds who would think about taking on two young foster children.
But Rachel is different from most young people and has spent the past two months being an emergency foster carer to a two-year-old boy and his year-old sister.
And the experience – with all its challenges in unprecedented times – has been hugely positive for Rachel and her family.
She is Somerset’s youngest foster carer – and is following in family footsteps as her parents started fostering aged 22 and were thought to be the youngest in the country at the time.
Rachel, from the Mendip area, had just graduated with a degree in social work when coronavirus emerged. She had planned to foster children at some point in her life as she was brought up by parents who fostered throughout her childhood.
But the pandemic brought her plans forward when she heard that emergency, short-term foster carers were needed.
Coronavirus Appeal raises £1m for Somerset communities
The Somerset Coronavirus Appeal, launched by local charity Somerset Community Foundation (SCF) in late March of this year, has grown to over £1 million thanks to generous contributions by local individuals, charitable trusts and businesses, as well as funding from the national appeal, run by The National Emergencies Trust (NET).
Any group wanting to apply for the funding should visit the SCF website where they can find guidance on the process: www.somersetcf.org.uk/coronavirus
During the first ‘emergency’ phase of the appeal, the money raised was awarded to local charities and community organisations supporting those in most urgent need during the early days of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Self-isolate for 10 days if you have coronavirus symptoms
People who test positive for coronavirus or show symptoms in the UK must now self-isolate for at least 10 days, rather than seven. And those who show symptoms should arrange to be tested.
Until now, those showing key symptoms – a new continuous cough, a temperature or loss of taste or smell – have had to self-isolate for at least a week.
Love Somerset, Buy Local
Many local businesses have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic, which is why we’ve launched a campaign to support local small and micro businesses in Somerset. We’ll be sharing on our social media pages for three weeks a selection of the great products and services that Somerset businesses offer and encouraging residents and visitors to buy locally to get Somerset on the road to recovery!
Join our campaign to help businesses thrive and grow:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/somersetcountycouncil/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/SomersetCouncil
Webinar helps local businesses stay safe and recover
Somerset County Council and partners organised a virtual webinar to help local businesses stay safe, recover and grow as the county eases further out of lockdown. It was well attended by more than 60 delegates.
Somerset’s Director of Public Health, Trudi Grant, advised businesses on how to stay safe and the steps to take if a business has a suspected or confirmed Coronavirus customer or staff member.
Supporting information for businesses can be found on the SCC website.
Coronavirus FAQs on what you can and can’t do
The Cabinet Office FAQs outlining what the public can and can’t do during the coronavirus outbreak has been updated to reflect the latest government guidance. A section has also been added on looking after grandchildren.