All our help and information is now available in a single place on the SCC website https://www.somerset.gov.uk/latest-coronavirus-updates/
This page is refreshed through the day so please check in regularly to keep across developments and news.
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 daily.
Top stories today:
Follow the travel traffic lights: red, amber and green
The ‘stay in the UK’ order was lifted just over a week ago, meaning people can now travel abroad for leisure. But strict border control measures, including testing and quarantine, remain in place.
Different levels of restriction apply to those returning to England from countries based on the traffic light system, which will be regularly reviewed and informed by public health advice: Red, amber and green list rules for entering England – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The “green” list of countries is a guide to where people can safely visit without needing to quarantine when they return to England. People should not travel to ‘amber’ and ‘red’ countries for leisure.
Passengers arriving from all destinations will need to provide a passenger locator form and show proof of a negative pre-departure test taken within 72 hours before their return journey.
Ten-day managed hotel quarantine requirements will remain in place for those permitted to return to England from ‘red’ countries, and quarantine at home alongside stringent testing will be required for those returning from ‘amber’ destinations Quarantine and testing if you’ve been in an amber list country – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
People in England who have had both vaccine doses will be able to demonstrate their COVID-19 vaccination status via the NHS app. If you cannot access the app you can request a letter from the NHS proving their vaccination status by calling 119. GPs cannot provide letters showing your COVID-19 vaccination status.
The government has also published the Passenger COVID-19 Charter, detailing how holidaymakers can travel safely this summer. It includes information on passenger rights and responsibilities, what to do if things go wrong and how to stay safe abroad.
Remember that all holiday accommodation, including hotels, hostels and B&Bs, can reopen in England now and can be used by groups of up to six people or two households of any size at the moment – so a holiday is still possible.
More help available in Somerset for testing
Whoever you are and whatever you do, it’s really important to keep testing for coronavirus, using the free lateral flow tests. You may not even be aware you might have the virus as some people don’t show any symptoms.
In Somerset, we are receiving funding for a 12-week pilot programme starting tomorrow (Wednesday) targeting hard-to-reach communities to provide translated support and information to highlight the importance of community testing.
As well as testing these groups will be signposted to local support services to enable them to stay home should they need to self-isolate, such as prescription collections, shopping and dog-walking, as well as providing information that is available in their first language.”
Please remember that if you have symptoms or a positive test result you need to self-isolate. You also need to self- isolate if you are in close contact with a case and you may get a phone call. In Somerset it will be from one of the county council’s own Public Heath staff. Or you may get an alert from the NHS App if you’re signed up to it. That will automatically alert you if you’ve been in close contact with someone who has the virus.
When you let friends in, let the fresh air in too
As restrictions ease and people are now mixing more indoors, it’s important to keep the fresh air flowing to help reduce risk.
Fresh air helps disperse infected COVID-19 droplets in the air that may carry the virus, helping prevent the spread of the disease. The public are being encouraged to open windows when socialising at home and businesses are asked to ensure adequate ventilation at indoor venues.
Summer of opportunity for Somerset’s Year 11s
Somerset students heading from Year 11 into Year 12 will have access to a wide range of free exciting educational opportunities this summer.
Year 11s can now register to participate in activities which will help them meet new people, enjoy fun activities, access lots of free information and resources and get a head-start moving into Year 12.
There is a mixture of virtual and face-to-face events and activities to choose from taking place across the county in June, July, and August.