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 https://www.somerset.gov.uk/covid-19-dashboard/ These are updated daily.
Top stories today:
Think twice, do the right thing, and don’t let your guard down
From Monday, most legal restrictions relating to Covid-19 will be lifted, but the risks of Covid-19 have not gone away. As cases rise here and across the country, please be cautious, not only for yourselves, but to protect our vulnerable residents and frontline workers.
Somerset County Council’s Public Health team is advising people to think carefully about continuing to keep the all-important two metre distance where possible – the UK’s Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) estimates that the risk of transmitting Covid-19 at 1 metre could be up to ten times higher than at 2 metres.
See: https://www.bmj.com/content/370/bmj.m3223
As another measure to protect more vulnerable members of our local communities, as well as workers in key services such as shops and pubs, it is recommended to continue to wear a face covering in indoor spaces such as in shops, on public transport or in healthcare settings.
Please also continue to wash hands thoroughly and regularly. Meet up outside rather than inside, and, if inside, make sure to let the fresh air in by opening windows and doors.
Finally, it’s important to:
- make sure to get both doses of the vaccine,
- self-isolate when required to do so; and,
- use rapid tests twice a week.
The message is please ‘think twice, do the right thing, and don’t let your guard down’. Thank you.
It’s going to be hot so please take care
Somerset is forecast to experience very warm weather from Saturday night through to Tuesday morning.
The top ways for staying safe when the heat arrives are to:
- look out for those who may struggle to keep themselves cool and hydrated; older people, those with underlying conditions and those who live alone are particularly at risk
- stay cool indoors – many of us may need to stay safe at home this summer, so know how to keep your home cool
- close curtains on rooms that face the sun to keep indoor spaces cooler and remember it may be cooler outdoors than indoors
- use cool spaces considerately if going outdoors, and wash your hands regularly
- drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol
- never leave anyone in a closed, parked vehicle, especially infants, young children or animals
- try to keep out of the sun between 11am to 3pm, when the UV rays are strongest
- walk in the shade, apply sunscreen, and wear a wide-brimmed hat, if you must go out in the heat
- avoid physical exertion in the hottest parts of the day
- make sure you take water with you if you are travelling
- during warm weather going for a swim can provide much welcomed relief; take care and follow local safety advice if you are going into open water to cool down
- remember that while coronavirus (COVID-19) restrictions are in place, you will need to follow any additional government guidance to use public spaces safely
Summer Holidays food support for Somerset families
Somerset County Council will continue to provide help to families in need of food support over the school Summer Holidays.
The Department of Work and Pensions has extended its Covid Local Support Grant, providing £1.4m to Somerset County Council to support vulnerable families.
The Council is using the grant to fund food vouchers worth £15 per week for children eligible for Free School Meals over the six-week Summer Holidays.
The food vouchers will be distributed by local schools and Somerset County Council would like to thank the school staff who have undertaken the work to make sure the eligible families can access the vouchers.
Grab a jab this weekend
If you are aged 18 over and haven’t yet booked your COVID jab, people can come along to one of Somerset’s walk-in clinics – there’s no need to book you can just turn up – you could even bring a friend along.
Vaccinations are taking place across a range of sites, including large vaccination centres, local GP-led vaccination sites, pharmacy sites and additional pop-up clinics.
Both Oxford AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines are on offer at different sites. People who had their first dose of vaccine eight weeks ago can also use the walk-in clinics to get their second jab.
Check the information here: Grab a jab… more walk-in clinics on offer this week – Somerset CCG
Changes to international travel traffic-light list
The Department for Transport has updated its travel lists, adding Bulgaria and Hong Kong to the green list, and moving the Balearic Islands and British Virgin Islands to amber.
Passengers arriving in England from Bulgaria and Hong Kong after 4am on Monday 19 July will no longer need to quarantine on arrival. From 19 July the following groups will no longer need to quarantine or take a day 8 polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test if arriving from amber countries:
- people who are fully vaccinated through the UK vaccination programme
- people who are on a formally approved COVID-19 clinical trial in the UK
- people aged under 18 and resident in the UK
However, these groups will still need to complete a pre-departure test before arrival, alongside a PCR test on or before day two after arrival.