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Author: ParishClerk

New Covid restrictions 5th November to 2nd December 2020

The Prime Minister made an announcement at the weekend, signalling the need for a second period of national lockdown in England.

Parliament will debate and vote on the measures this week, and if passed, they will come into force on Thursday 5 November, and remain in place until Wednesday 2 December.

It’s because national data emerging in more recent weeks has shown that, should the country take no additional measures beyond the current restrictions, England would be exceeding the ‘worst case scenario’ levels. It means that if we don’t take extra steps now, numbers will continue to rise and it will put additional pressure on our busy hospitals.

Those steps, if approved by parliament, aim to reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, and therefore reduce the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). By doing so, we are protecting the NHS and saving lives.

The new tougher national restrictions include staying at home, not gathering with people you don’t live with and closing some venues. Further information, including what they mean for working from home and business closures, why they are being introduced and the financial support available can be found on the government’s website.

Remember, remember to stay safe this Bonfire Night

Fire, police and public health leaders in the south west, along with local councils, are urging the public to stay safe this Bonfire Night by ‘doing something different’ to celebrate.

The emergency services see an increase in calls around bonfire night, and services are already stretched by the effects of Covid-19.

Not only are bonfires and fireworks dangerous, they can cause a nuisance for neighbours and animals. Smoke coming in through windows can cause issues for people with breathing problems, and fireworks are stressful for people and animals.

Darren Peters, Area Manager at Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service said:

“We want you to make it a bonfire night to remember for the right reasons, not because you end up needing the emergency services.

“We’d prefer you to avoid home bonfires and fireworks as they can cause incidents and injury which can put pressure on our emergency services.”

South west leaders have compiled a list of ways to ‘do something different’ to celebrate bonfire night this year.

  • Stargazing – the natural alternative to fireworks – just find a dark spot in the south west – either from your home or in the country – and enjoy the night sky. There are many smartphone apps that help you to identify the constellations and help make it even more fun.
  • Get creative in the kitchen – food is part of the bonfire fun, so why not make hotdogs, soup and hot chocolates, and embrace the bonfire fun in a different way.
  • Firework painting – there are loads of ideas to make firework paintings online – some black paper or card and some bright paints are all you need to get started. Add straws or cut toilet roll shapes and you’re away. The kids will have a great time making vivid firework pictures.
  • Watch firework videos – there’s no easier way to stay warm, dry and safe this bonfire night than to tune in to livestreamed firework displays on YouTube. The displays will be more spectacular than your own would have been, they won’t frighten pets, farm animals or children, and you can pause or rewind your favourite bits.

Area Manager Darren Peters added:

“If you insist on doing something at home, keep fires and fireworks small. Fires and fireworks are unpredictable.

“If using sparklers, stick them into a vegetable, such as a carrot or parsnip, so you protect your hands. Keep a bucket of water nearby so you can put your spent sparklers in there.”

Our advice is to:

  • Store fireworks safely
  • Keep fires and fireworks well away from anything that could burn, such as sheds, fences and your home.
  • Keep a bucket of water or a hose nearby
  • Never leave anything unattended.

Attendees will need to adhere to the current rules of course, including social distancing, the Rule of Six, face coverings in enclosed spaces where social distancing is impossible, and regular hand hygiene soap and water or hand sanitiser is available.

Anyone planning to have fireworks or bonfires at home should read the full safety guidance http://www.dsfire.gov.uk/bonfire-fireworks

Updated guidance to employers

NHS Covid App poster

The national NHS Test and Trace programme updated their guidance to employers this week.

It sets out how they can help NHS Test and Trace to slow the spread of coronavirus, protecting themselves, others and saving lives.

A big part that businesses can play is in ensuring that they’re using and promoting the NHS COVID-19 app.

There’s convenience in the app for their employees – they can check symptoms, order tests and receive results and advice for example – but it’s also a really important tool for the national system to trace people who may be been in contact with a positive case.

The guidance also reminds employers that it’s a legal requirement for them to not knowingly allow an employee who has been told to self-isolate to come to work or work anywhere other than their own home for the duration of the self-isolation period.

There are hefty fines for those that breach it.

And it says that employers must review risk assessments in the workplace to ensure that they remain suitable.

Paul Thomas, Head of Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards, said:

“It’s up to us all to play our part in beating coronavirus, by complying with the rules for our areas and looking out for each other.

“Employers also have a special duty towards their staff, and their customers while in their premises, and that responsibility requires them to stay on top of the situation.  We recommend employers conduct regular periodic reviews to make sure, as situations change, that they are still in compliance with the latest rules and guidance.”

Somerset is at “Medium” local Covid alert level

We’ve put together this article to help you understand what that means.

Government Medium alert level

What do local COVID alert levels mean?

Local COVID alert levels set out information for local authorities, residents and workers about what to do and how to manage the outbreak in their area.

It lets you know what you can and cannot do if you live, work or travel in each local COVID alert level.

You can find out the alert level of your local area by using your postcode on the government’s website. Somerset is at ‘medium’ alert.

There’s also an interactive map of the UK to show what rules apply where.


Why is the government introducing local COVID alert levels?

The government wants to make sure the right levels of intervention are made in the right places to manage coronavirus outbreaks.

They’ve simplified and standardised local rules so it’s easier for everyone to understand what they can and can’t do, depending on how prevalent coronavirus is in their area.

There are now three local COVID alert levels: medium, high and very high.


Somerset is ‘medium local COVID alert level’. What does that mean?

Medium alert level areas are subject to the national restrictions that continue to be in place.

This means:

  • you must not socialise in groups larger than 6, indoors or outdoors (other than where a legal exemption applies)
  • businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-secure manner, other than those that remain closed in law
  • certain businesses are required to ensure customers only consume food and drink while seated, and must close between 10.00pm and 5.00am
  • businesses and venues selling food for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10.00pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through
  • schools and universities remain open
  • places of worship remain open, subject to the rule of six
  • weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees
  • exercise classes and organised sport can continue to take place outdoors, or indoors if the rule of six is followed.

You must:

You should continue to:

  • follow social distancing rules
  • work from home where you can effectively do so
  • when travelling, plan ahead or avoid busy times and routes. Walk or cycle if you can.

Full guidance on the restrictions in place to help reduce the spread of COVID-19 in an area where the local COVID alert level is medium is available on the government website.

Somerset School Children are set to help fight flu

 

Somerset County Council is urging all parents and carers of school aged children to return their 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, hospitalisation and sadly death.

Therefore, it is more important than ever to reduce the chance of becoming ill with flu this winter, reduce the chance of spreading it to others – and help protect the NHS.

For most people flu is horrible, but not life threatening. However, for those in certain ‘at risk’ groups, flu can be deadly. Many of us will carry the flu virus without showing symptoms and could unknowingly pass it on to the most vulnerable.

The nasal spray flu vaccine is free on the NHS and has already started to be rolled out through the schools vaccination programme this year. It is available to:

  • All primary school children (reception to year 6)
  • All year 7 in secondary school
  • Children aged 2 to 17 years with long-term health conditions

The vaccine is being administered to school children by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust school-aged immunisation nursing team (SAINT), a dedicated team of qualified nurses and support staff. The team have started visiting schools across the County giving children the flu vaccination via a nasal spray.

School visits will look a little different this year, nurses will be wearing protective masks and clothing and adhering to strict hygiene rules. The team have produced a video to show what measures have been put in place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdqeuH97_aU&feature=youtu.be

Suzy Mason, Somerset NHS Foundation Trust’s school aged nursing immunisation team leader, said: “Flu is a serious condition that kills on average 11,000 people in England each year and hospitalises many more.

“And it’s now easier than ever to consent for your child to receive their flu vaccination with our new online system.

“Our team is working with every school to ensure we are able to provide safe and effective vaccination sessions for children in Somerset.

“If you are a parent and have missed the deadline for consent and the school session has passed, we are offering sessions in the community.”

Councillor Clare Paul, Somerset County Council member responsible for health and wellbeing, said: “Children are known to be flu ‘super-spreaders’. By vaccinating children and young people, we know we can reduce the amount of flu going around.

“This year we have Coronavirus. Catching the two viruses together could be very serious.  So, it is more important than ever to get your child vaccinated, particularly if they have regular contact with older relatives or others with an underlying health condition.”

For more information or to find out when the team is visiting your school visit the Healthy Somerset website at: https://www.healthysomerset.co.uk/flu/more-information-on-vaccination-in-somerset-schools/ .The site also has some fun resources which you can use to explain to your child why it is important to get the flu vaccination.

Information about planned school sessions and contact information for the SAINT team can be found at: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/saints-school-age-immunisation-team/somerset-school-aged-immunisation-nursing-team-saint/flu-vaccination-programme/