18 December 2020
Public: coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for Devon on our website
Please pass this onto district, borough, parish and town councillors as appropriate. The bulletin can be shared as a link by clicking the 'View it as a Web page' link at the top. Find previous bulletins on our web page.
Do it for Devon
Stick with us and keep following the guidance to keep everyone safe and well.
We need the support of local residents and visitors to keep following the guidelines with social distancing, washing hands and hand sanitising, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces, avoiding busy places and keeping gatherings to groups of up to six people.
Customer Service Centre seasonal opening times
Our website has details of the opening hours for the Customer Service Centre.
Case numbers are rising in some age groups
Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon, has described the start of a rise in coronavirus cases in Devon following a period of decline.
Steve Brown explained that during the recent national lockdown, Devon’s cases had turned a corner and had started to fall because of the national restrictions. Then, since adopting the Tier 2 restrictions, that decline started to slow down and level off. And now it’s starting to climb again in some age groups.
The highest rates are still in the over 80s, although case numbers in that age group are falling. Other age groups have seen a rise in cases over the last week.
Listen to what Steve Brown has said.
Click to watch Steve Brown explain more
Government confirm that Devon is to remain in Tier 2 for now
The Government has decided that because of our circumstances – including case numbers, demographic and pressure on NHS services – we will stay in Tier 2 until its next review at the end of the year.
Devon County Council Leader, Cllr John Hart, who also chairs the county’s multi-agency Local Outbreak Engagement Board said:
“I’m afraid this is the right decision because of the number of positive cases in Devon right now – especially among our older residents – and the huge pressure on our NHS services.
“But if we are to accept these restrictions continuing into the New Year, the Government must act swiftly with more support for local businesses.
“When we went into Tier 2, I called for action and I am renewing that call today.
“Every day I am hearing from businesses which are being severely affected and many of our local hospitality companies are on their knees. The Government must do more to help them survive otherwise many of these companies – which are the lifeblood of Devon’s economy – won’t be here in the New Year.”
Steve Brown, Director of Public Health Devon (Designate) said:
“We had been seeing our case numbers falling due to the recent national lockdown, but that fall has slowed and has now levelled off since we adopted Tier 2 restrictions. I do not believe that we are ready yet to relax our restrictions to the lower tier, especially as we head into Christmas, and the likelihood – although I would advise people think really hard about doing so – of families and friends meeting up in Christmas bubble arrangements.”
Just because we can, it doesn't mean we must. Public Health Devon asks 'is your trip essential?'
Public Health Devon is joining the call for caution, as families plan their Christmas breaks between 23 and 27 December.
A smaller, shorter Christmas is safer
The Government has updated its guidance for the Christmas period. Although, it says, the relaxation of restrictions between the 23 and 27 December still apply, the Government is asking people to take personal responsibility over the festive period.
Guidance now published says, 'The safest way to celebrate Christmas this year is with your household or existing support bubble in your home. The more people you see, the more likely it is that you will catch or spread coronavirus (COVID-19). One in three people with coronavirus do not show symptoms - this means you can spread coronavirus to others even if you and the people you meet have no symptoms. You and the other people in your Christmas bubble need to consider these risks carefully before agreeing to form a bubble and discuss alternatives, such as the use of technology, to avoid bringing households together or travelling between different parts of the country.'
It also says, 'that the longer you meet others for, the higher the risk of you catching and spreading the virus. You should minimise the time you spend with your Christmas bubble and should not stay overnight unless absolutely unavoidable. A smaller Christmas is a safer Christmas, and a shorter Christmas is a safer Christmas.'
The latest guidance includes:
Questions about self-isolating and Christmas
Anyone who contracts the virus, or who is identified as a close contact of a positive case, regardless of when that might happen, will have to self-isolate.
Vaccination sites announced in Devon
Eight GP-led vaccination centres in Devon have been involved in the first phase of the coronavirus vaccination programme, NHS Devon Clinical Commissioning Group announced this week.
Nurses, paramedics, pharmacists and other NHS staff will be working alongside doctors at the centres to vaccinate people aged over 80 and care home workers, who have been identified as priority groups for vaccination, along with care home workers and NHS staff.
Over the coming weeks and months, the rate of vaccinations will increase as more doses become available and the programme continues to expand. People in priority groups will be contacted when it's their turn and do not need to request an appointment.
Vaccinations have started at the eight sites in Devon, serving 49 of the county's GP practice areas.
In this first phase, those sites are:
- Abbey Surgery, Tavistock
- Exmouth Tennis and Fitness Centre
- Limes Surgery, Exminster
- Okehampton Medical Centre
- Riviera International Centre, Torquay
- St Boniface House, near Buckfastleigh
- Seaton Community Hospital
- The Staddy function centre, Plymouth
A second group of sites will be announced in coming days and phase three and four sites will be announced over the next few weeks, ensuring coverage across Devon. The programme will also expand to care homes soon.
The Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital is also now delivering the coronavirus vaccine. Again, please wait to be contacted with an appointment, rather than contacting them.
Support for people and families
Refer to the web pages for financial help in your local area and for food support for individuals and families in need.
Last day to apply for free school meals holiday vouchers
Today (Friday 18 December) is the last day that families can apply for free school meals and be guaranteed to receive the holiday voucher support for the Christmas period. People who have changed circumstances and who think they may now be eligible, can apply as soon as possible via our website or by emailing freeschoolmeals@devon.gov.uk or calling our education helpline on 0345 155 1019.
Families can still apply after today, but their free school meals support will start with the new school term, rather than with the Christmas holiday vouchers.
Support is also available via a series of food networks across Devon that we are developing with the Devon Community Foundation to bring together organisations and businesses who are able to help families. We will be providing grant funding to some of them for Christmas. If you are aware of businesses in Devon would like to be part of this, or anyone who wants to help as we design the next holiday voucher scheme to cover February half term and the Easter break, please encourage them to get in touch.
We've already sent around 15,500 vouchers to families of primary, secondary and sixth form college pupils who currently receive free school meals to help buy food over the festive period.
If you know of any family who has a child that already receives free school meals, but they haven't yet had a letter or email from us with details of how to get their vouchers, please get in touch with the team as soon as possible.
More information about the scheme is available on our website.
Children’s Services
We wish Jo Olsson, Chief Officer for Children's Services, all the best as she retires this week. In the previous bulletin, we also announced that Melissa Caslake has accepted the post and will be taking over as Chief Officer in February.
In the interim the Children's Services Leadership Team will work together to ensure there are no gaps. Head of Education and Learning, Dawn Stabb, will oversee Early Help and Public Health Nursing and Improvement Director, Vivien Lines, will oversee Social Care and Commissioning. Both Dawn and Vivien will report directly to Phil Norrey.
Coronavirus testing for secondary schools and colleges
All secondary schools and colleges in England will be able to test more of their staff and students in a round of free coronavirus testing from the first week of January.
The Government is offering the testing to schools and colleges to minimise cases and transmission of the virus with return of staff and students after the Christmas break.
Every secondary school and college in England, as well as special schools and alternative provision, will also have access to rapid coronavirus testing from January to help keep staff and students as safe as possible and in education. Students will be eligible for daily testing for seven days if they are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive.
Care and Health Worker parking permits to be improved and made permanent
The parking permit, which allows professionals visiting people at home to park on double yellow lines in certain circumstances, will be improved and made permanent from spring 2021.
Funding for community groups to tackle loneliness
The Government has launched a new fund, designed to help local organisations bring people and communities together as the country recovers from the coronavirus outbreak. The Local Connections Fund is made up of £2 million from the Government and £2 million from The National Lottery Community Fund.
Applications open on Tuesday 5 January 2021.
The Let's Talk Loneliness website has lots of useful advice on how to help yourself and others safely including practical advice, inspiring stories and support routes.
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People with long-term health conditions urged to get flu vaccine before Christmas
People with long-term health conditions are being urged to get their free flu vaccine before Christmas as they are at a higher risk of falling seriously ill if they catch it.
Free flu vaccines for 50-64 year olds
If you are aged 50 to 64 years old (including those who turn 50 by 31 March 2021) then during either December or January you will be invited to attend your GP surgery for the vaccine or you can contact any pharmacy offering NHS flu vaccinations.
However, if you are aged 50-64 and in an at-risk group, you should not delay having your flu vaccine.
Growth Support Programme launches initiative to support business recovery
The Heart of the South West Growth Support Programme (GSP) is launching its new “Adapt + Revive” initiative which aims to equip businesses in the region with vital digital skills to help support economic recovery.
Businesses across Devon, Somerset, Plymouth and Torbay will be offered support and training focusing on digital marketing, e-commerce and website management through the scheme.
Report shows largest annual decline in CO2 emissions because of coronavirus
A report published by Earth System Science Data has shown that the UK and France have seen the largest annual decline in CO2 emissions due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Learn Devon has launched their new programme with over 200 free online courses for adults
Whether you're looking to pick up a new hobby, increase your wellbeing, combat social isolation, or trying to improve your English, Maths or job prospects - they've got you covered.
Browse courses and enrol.
Photograph of the Sunset over Dartmoor from Buckfastleigh. Courtesy of Cllr Stuart Barker.
Seasonal message from our Chairman
Our Chairman, Cllr Stuart Barker shared a Christmas card (PDF) and message to all our staff:
I wish to express my gratitude to all staff for your hard work and dedication during this most challenging of years.
Your efforts to keep services running and offer vital support to the people of Devon have been outstanding.
Thank you, most sincerely, for all that you have done and continue to do; and I hope you are able to enjoy a much needed break over the festive period.
With all good wishes for 2021. Stay safe and well.
Cllr Stuart Barker
By pulling together across the Council, with our partners and our communities, we are doing everything we can to help us all through this incredibly difficult time. Thank you to you and your community and stay safe and well.
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