30 October 2020
In this update:
 Help available to pay for basic household essentials
The impact of the coronavirus pandemic is continuing to put a huge financial strain on some people. Employment situations are changing rapidly and for some their income now no longer covers what they need, or they have lost their jobs completely.
Help is available. If you, or someone you know, is worrying about money and how to pay for basic household essentials, please apply for extra assistance through funding that we have made available via your district council's hardship fund.
To find out more about what support is available in Devon, including how to access local financial support, where to find foodbanks and community larders, free meals during the school holidays and what to do if you’re on a low income and need to self-isolate, please visit our website.
We are continuing to work with district councils to ensure hardship support is available to vulnerable children and families in Devon this winter. And this week we pledged extra funding to ensure no child goes hungry. You can read the full story on our news centre.
 Celebrate Halloween safely this year
It's Halloween this weekend and many families may be wondering whether trick or treating is worth the risk this year.
It’s really not. Public Health teams in Devon are asking families to forget the usual trick or treat plans and instead celebrate safely indoors.
There are plenty of ways to enjoy Halloween safely at home, from spooky window dressings to ghostly film nights and beastly baking!
Find some low risk ideas on our website, along with a list of things to avoid.
Be travel aware and enjoy the rest of half term safely
The guidance includes what the restrictions are in each of the three alert level areas, as well as advice on ways to travel safely.
 Updated guidance to employers
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."
More support for businesses and workers
The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, said this week that he will be increasing support to companies in high-alert level areas.
He'd previously announced extra support for businesses forced to close in very high-alert level areas, so this latest announcement has expanded the government's support.
It's also reduced the level of employer contribution for hours not worked, and Mr Sunak approved additional funding to support cash grants of up to £2,100 per month for businesses in hospitality, accommodation and leisure sector, impacted by the restrictions in high-alert level areas.
Are you self-isolating, or know someone who is?
Many of us will know of someone; perhaps a friend, family member or a work colleague, who is self-isolating right now.
They might have been advised to do so by NHS Test and Trace perhaps or asked to stay home and self-isolate by their school. Or they've developed symptoms - the high temperature, new and continuous cough or change to their normal sense of taste and smell - and are responsibly self-isolating while awaiting a test and test result.
If you are self-isolating, it's really important that you follow that advice to the letter, and that you stick to it for the full duration of your self-isolation period.
Even if you then subsequently test negative for the virus, and you can stop self-isolating so long as you are well, the advice is please, continue to be vigilant and to follow the social distancing, hand hygiene and face coverings guidance.
The advice and guidance for households with possible or confirmed cases of coronavirus has been updated this week, including how to reduce the spread within your household.
 Councils given new enforcement powers
Councils are to be given new powers to issue improvement notices to businesses, or even close premises, if they breach coronavirus restrictions, it was reported this week.
Matt Hancock, Health Secretary, told the House of Commons that councils will hear the proposals in coming days. He said:
"...councils will be able to act without delay and use closure notices to shut premises on public health grounds, to help suppress the virus."
Right now, councils have general health and safety legislation to take action against businesses not adhering to COVID-19 rules.
The Local Government Association's Cllr Nesil Caliskan, says:
"Ensuring councils have a range of tools at their disposal will allow them to work quickly to help supress the virus in their communities and take action before it is too late."
 Remember, remember to stay safe this Bonfire Night
Bonfire night and fireworks displays will also look and feel different this year, as people are encouraged not to put themselves at unnecessary risk.
Though many are cancelled, some organised events are still happening, but under strict guidelines, including in some cases the need to pre-order tickets and refreshments.
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.
Dr Virginia Pearson, Director of Public Health Devon offered the following advice this week.
Antibody test results are back
The prevalence of antibodies in those tested declined over the three months of the study. The largest decline was in the oldest age group, (75 years and older) and the smallest decline in the youngest age group (18 to 24 years).
It's not clear whether antibodies provide any effective level of immunity or for how long it might last. What is clear though is that we must all continue to follow social distancing rules, even if we have tested positive for antibodies.
 Be on the look-out for potential scammers
We're advising everyone to stay alert to possible scams associated with the coronavirus pandemic following a report of someone visiting homes claiming to be from the national Test and Trace programme.
The visitor told a North Devon resident that his household had been linked as a contact with a confirmed COVID-19 case in Exeter, and that therefore he needed to self-isolate. He then offered the gentleman a food parcel for £20. He had no identification, and was driving a small dark car.
Dr Virginia Pearson, Director of Public Health Devon, said:
“This is a scam, and I thank the member of the public for bringing it immediately to our attention.
“I want to remind people to be on their guard, and not be taken in by scams like this.
“The NHS Test and Trace programme publishes details of how they inform people, and importantly what they will never do or ask a person to do. I encourage people to familiarise themselves with the information so that they do not fall foul of would-be scammers.”
Information about the NHS Test and Trace programme and how it works, is available on the government's website.
If you are contacted by an individual or a company that you suspect is a scam, you can report it to Action Fraud.
For consumer advice about how to prevent being scammed, visit Devon, Somerset and Torbay Trading Standards’ website.
Continued support offering free childcare
From 1 November, eligible parents who receive support through the government's new Job Support Scheme and extended Self-Employed Income support Scheme, will continue to receive their childcare entitlements, including the 30 hours offer and Tax-Free Childcare, even if their income levels fall below the threshold temporarily whilst on these schemes.
The news comes as the latest data shows that attendance at early years settings - pre-schools and nurseries - is reaching levels customary before the pandemic.
To apply for free childcare, visit the government's website.
|
