Coronavirus (COVID-19): Members Update
Our previous daily Members' Briefing has now moved to a weekly format which rounds up the latest updates relevant to the coronavirus response in Cumbria.
In this briefing:
On Tuesday 23 June, the Government set out further changes to lockdown measures in England to enable people to see more of their friends and family, help businesses get back on their feet and get people back in their jobs.
What this means for council services
Plans for the reopening, or wider opening, of council services are currently being reviewed in light of the new guidance and forthcoming changes to social distancing requirements. Further updates for specific services will be published as soon as plans are confirmed.
Updates will be published here > https://cumbria.gov.uk/coronavirus/serviceupdates.asp.
The Government has announced that those shielding from coronavirus will be advised they can spend more time outside their homes from Monday 6 July.
From Monday 6 July, clinically extremely vulnerable people will be able to spend time outdoors in a group of up to six people including those outside of their household, while maintaining social distancing. Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable and live alone or are single parents with children will also be able to create a ‘support bubble’ with one other household of any size, following the same rules already in place for the wider population.
From Saturday 1 August, the guidance will then be relaxed so clinically extremely vulnerable will no longer be advised to shield. They will continue to have access to priority supermarket delivery slots if they have registered online before 17 July for a priority delivery slot. NHS Volunteer Responders will also continue to offer support to those who need it, including collecting and delivering food and medicines. The food and medicine boxes facilitated by the National Shielding Service will stop as of 1 August as individuals are advised they can visit shops and pharmacies.
To register and access a priority delivery slot > https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable.
From 1 August, those who need to work and cannot do so from home will be able to return to work as long as their workplace is coronavirus secure.
Clinically extremely vulnerable people should continue to follow strict social distancing measures, taking particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household and practise good, frequent handwashing.
The Government will be writing to all individuals on the Shielded Patient List with updated information on shielding advice and the ongoing support that will be available to them.
The updated guidance for those classed as Clinically Extremely Vulnerable will be published on 6 July and 1 August as these measures come into force.
Read more on the government’s latest announcement > https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plans-to-ease-guidance-for-over-2-million-shielding.
Useful links:
From Saturday 4th July, the Government has announced that pubs, restaurants and hairdressers will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to COVID Secure guidelines.
From the same date, the PM has set out that two households will be able to meet up in any setting with social distancing measures, and that people can now enjoy staycations in England with the reopening of accommodation sites.
In order to begin restoring the arts and cultural sector, some leisure facilities and tourist attractions may also reopen, if they can do so safely – this includes outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades, as well as libraries, social clubs, places of worship and community centres.
Following a review, the PM has also set out that where it is not possible to stay two metres apart, guidance will allow people to keep a social distance of ‘one metre plus’. This means staying one metre apart, plus mitigations which reduce the risk of transmission.
As the economy begins to reopen, it’s important that we do not increase the risk of transmission which is why “close proximity” venues such as nightclubs, soft-play areas, indoor gyms, swimming pools, water parks, bowling alleys and spas will need to remain closed for now. The Government is continuing to work with these sectors to establish taskforces to help them to become COVID Secure and reopen as soon as possible.
While the infection rate continues to fall, the PM has said that the public must continue to follow social distancing guidelines to keep coronavirus under control. The Government will keep all measures under constant review and will not hesitate to apply the handbrake, or reverse measures, should the virus begin to run out of control.
Further guidance is available from > gov.uk/coronavirus.
The Cabinet Office have produced an FAQ document outlining what the public can and can’t do after 4 July.
The document covers the following topics:
- Gatherings, public spaces, and activities
- Vulnerable groups, shielding, 70 year olds and over, and care homes
- Going to work / Closed businesses / Safer spaces
- Workers’ rights
- Public Transport
- Schools and Childcare
- Borders / international visitors
- Devolved administrations
Document > https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do-after-4-july
New guidance that that outlines how the public in England should socially distance from the 4 July has also been published.
Guidance > https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing/staying-alert-and-safe-social-distancing-after-4-july
Members of the public can subscribe to locality specific email updates to receive news and information about how public services and local communities are responding to the coronavirus outbreak, at cumbria.gov.uk/coronavirus/communities.asp.
@Cumbria Twitter
@CumbriaCC Facebook
|
