Following reports that some pub goers were not adhering to social distancing rules this weekend, the Council is reminding people to keep two metres apart from others.

Coronavirus has not gone away, to avoid a local lockdown, residents are being urged to continue to social distance, wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser and wear a face covering in busy places. 

If you do go out for a drink or a meal, make sure you leave your contact details with the business for NHS Test and Trace. Test and Trace will help to reduce the spread of the infection and save lives - play your part.

Anyone can spread coronavirus and anyone can get it. Even if you are not presenting symptoms, you can still be carrying the virus and you may infect someone who is more vulnerable. Everyone must play their part in protecting family, friends and the wider community.

Environmental Health have been working with businesses to provide advice and support, around the health, safety and wellbeing of staff and customers.

Cllr Louise Jackson, Portfolio Holder for Health and Wellbeing said, “Businesses in Bedford Borough continue to work hard to adapt and keep up to date with government guidelines to allow them to open safely.

“Please continue to follow advice, social distance, hand hygiene and share contact details for test and trace. These simple measures will help stop the spread of the virus and avoid a damaging local lockdown.

“We’re speaking to businesses where this appears to be a problem and have contacted the Police who have the powers to take enforcement action if people are failing to follow the rules”.

If you are presenting symptoms of coronavirus; a new persistent cough, high temperature, loss or change in taste or smell, please book a test via nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.

We are beginning the phased reopening of library services.

From Thursday 20 August, Bedford Central and Kempston libraries will be open for a new ‘Select and Collect’ service, as well as for customers to return books they have had on loan during lockdown.

Select and Collect gives customers the opportunity to borrow library books again by making requests based on their favourite genres or subjects, online or via the phone. Library staff will then choose books based on these preferences and issue them to customers, who will be notified when they are ready to collect from library entrances during Select and Collect opening times. Please remember that you must wear a face covering when visiting a library, unless you have a legitimate reason not to.

Customers will also be able to use the request service to choose specific titles through Arena, the online catalogue, and to pick them up from the library. This is perfect for customers who know the exact title they are after.

When books are returned they will be quarantined for 72 hours, and safety measures have been developed for the selection, issuing and packing of books for collection. Customers will also be able to return the items they have at home to Bedford Central and Kempston libraries during Select and Collect hours. Due dates will continue to be extended for any items already on loan, and charges will remain paused for any items that are already overdue.

More information about how the service works, including opening times, will be available by visiting the Virtual Library website or by calling the Select and Collect Line on 01234 718178 from Monday to Saturday between 11.00am and 4.00pm.

The Home Library Service will also be restarting from this date, with deliveries made in a socially distanced way to ensure the safety of staff and customers.

After being closed for five months due to the COVID-19 pandemic, The Higgins Bedford will be reopening to the public on Tuesday 25 August.

Visitors will once again be able to enjoy displays telling the story of the local area, alongside nationally significant collections of art and design.

New measures will be in place for the safety of visitors, volunteers and staff, and to help ensure an enjoyable experience for all. This has included reducing the capacity of the museum to ensure that people can socially distance.

This means visitors will need to book a free timed entry ticket online before their visit by visiting www.thehigginsbedford.org.uk or by calling 01234 718044 (from Monday 24 August).

Everyone visiting The Higgins Bedford must wear a face covering, except for children under 11 or for the legitimate reasons set out in Government guidance.

Cllr Doug McMurdo, Portfolio Holder for Leisure and Culture said “I am really pleased that we are able to reopen The Higgins Bedford, in a safe and COVID-19 secure way for visitors and staff.

“You must book a free timed entry ticket before your by visit, so ensure you don’t miss out.

“As we start to reopen these services, we are urging people to continue to behave responsibly and help us to avoid a local lockdown. Stay 2 metres away from others, wear a face covering if you can, wash your hands regularly or use hand sanitiser, and if you are displaying any symptoms, stay at home and book a test.”

A safe and enjoyable visit

The Higgins Bedford has introduced a number of measures in line with Government and public heath guidance, to ensure that visitors have a safe and enjoyable experience.

Limiting visitor numbers will allow everyone to maintain a 2 metre social distance from others not from the same household. There will be a one way system in operation with separate entrance and exit routes, and hand washing and sanitising facilities will be available throughout the building.

Customer toilet facilities will be open with clear queuing systems in place, and cleaning has been increased. Interactive displays will be removed as well as shared information folders about the displays, but visitors will be able to access these on mobile devices by scanning new QR codes.

Staff and volunteers will be on hand to help visitors have a safe and enjoyable time, while measures such as screens will be in place to help ensure everyone’s safety. In addition, The Higgins Bedford will be collecting contact details for visitors to support NHS Test and Trace in the prevention of further local COVID-19 outbreaks.