All our help and information for 16/10/2020 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:
Everything you need to know about face coverings
As we go into the weekend, here’s an important reminder on why, when and where people should wear a face covering.
Face coverings aim to protect others, not the wearer, against the spread of infection because they cover the nose and mouth, which are the main confirmed sources of transmission of virus that causes coronavirus infection (COVID-19).
Because they are meant to protect others, they don’t replace social distancing and regular handwashing.
Secondary school age students in Somerset are also being asked to wear face coverings on dedicated school transport to help prevent the spread of the virus.
In England, you must wear a face covering in a wide range of enclosed spaces and indoor settings including from public transport to libraries. A fuller list is available in the link below.
There are exemptions, for example young children; those with physical or mental illness or disability; or if you are helping someone who relies on lip-reading. Some people may feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering, such as an exemption card, badge or even a home-made sign.
Be a flu fighter
Calling all parents and carers of school aged children in Somerset: Please return the flu consent form and help children become ‘flu fighters’ this winter.
All schools should have issued information about the flu vaccination to parents and carers of eligible children and young people asking them to fill in an online form to give their consent.
If parents/carers haven’t already completed the form, Somerset County Council’s public health teams urge them to complete it – and give their consent.
With COVID-19 also circulating in communities this winter, catching flu and coronavirus together is even more likely to lead to severe illness and hospitalisation.
New hotline launched to report fraud
The Government launched a new hotline to report, anonymously and free of charge, suspected fraudulent activity by people illegally targeting support schemes that have been introduced to help those struggling financially.
Public Health dashboard
Detailed Public Health information dashboards are available on our website www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus just scroll down to ‘Covid-19 dashboard’. These are updated every Wednesday.