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#RespectProtectEnjoy #DoItForDevon
We welcome residents and visitors back safely to our attractions, high streets and hospitality businesses this week, but please enjoy Devon safely.
We must continue to respect and protect one another and follow current guidance.
 16 April 2021
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. Please remember to follow advice and guidance around social distancing, washing hands and sanitising hands regularly, wearing a face covering in enclosed spaces (unless exempt), and avoiding busy places.
Latest Government roadmap update
 Further easing of restrictions
We are now into the next phase of easing the COVID-19 restrictions, as per the Government roadmap. Since Monday 12 April, we've been able do a little bit more as shops and venues start to open up.
- Non-essential retail can open, including personal care premises such as hairdressers, beauty and nail salons.
- Hospitality venues can now open for outdoor table-service, with no requirement for a substantial meal to be served alongside alcohol, and no curfew, but you'll still need to remain seated.
- Indoor leisure and sports facilities can reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household or support bubble.
- Overnight stays away from home in England are now permitted and self-contained accommodation can also reopen so long as they are used by members of the same household or support bubble.
- Public buildings, such as libraries and community centres can reopen.
- Most outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) can reopen and some smaller outdoor events such as fetes, literary fairs and fairgrounds will be able to take place.
- Care home residents are now able to nominate two named individuals for regular indoor visits.
- All children can now attend any indoor children's activity, including sport, regardless of circumstance.
- Parent and child groups of up to 15 people (not counting children aged under five years old) can restart indoors.
- Funerals can continue with up to 30 attendees. Weddings, outdoor receptions, and commemorative events can take place with up to 15 attendees (in premises that are permitted to open).
- People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise domestic travel. International holidays are still illegal.
Tina Henry, Deputy Director of Public Health Devon, said:
"We welcome the easing of restrictions and the opportunities it presents to re-start our local economy, but urge people to remain vigilant and to continue to act responsibly.
"Devon is still in a good place, with one of the very lowest rates of coronavirus in England. But we must stay alert as the virus is still circulating in our communities.
"Please do not be tempted to move too fast. We are not yet in normal times, and we must not allow ourselves to behave as if we are. To keep case rates down in Devon, we must all continue to follow the rules, and support each other to stay safe and well. And that way, help us to recover quicker."
Find out more about what you can and cannot do at the moment on the Government website.
Reminder: Updates to the NHS Test and Trace app mean that every person in a group must check-in when in a pub garden or outdoor venue rather than just one member. You can do this easily by scanning the official NHS QR code poster with the NHS COVID-19 app, or by providing your contact details.
CCG Members' briefing - coronavirus vaccination in Devon
Please see the latest coronavirus vaccination briefing for Members from NHS Devon, Devon’s CCG (Clinical Commissioning Group):
You can view current and previous copies on the Provider Engagement Network (PEN) website
 New Community Renewal Fund launched to boost local economy and tackle inequality
A new national fund has been set up to help kickstart local economies.
Organisations and initiatives with fresh ideas to help boost Devon’s economy and help those people and businesses hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic are being urged to submit their bids into a new national fund, which is now open for applications.
The UK Government has created the Community Renewal Fund to encourage innovative schemes that will; invest in skills, help people into employment, support local businesses to grow and develop, and help local communities become more resilient and sustainable.
We're inviting bids in line with at least one of the following Devon priorities:
- Digital inclusion
- Accelerated growth opportunities
- Promoting more resilient communities
- Encouraging entrepreneurship
- Green economy
The fund is open to schemes from the whole of Devon but a particular priority will be on the hardest hit and most deprived communities in need of an extra boost such as in West Devon and Torridge.
The UK Government Community Renewal Fund is a one-year pilot, potentially worth up £24m across Devon this year, and is a trial for the Government's 'Shared Prosperity Fund'.
Interested organisations are being encouraged to find out more and make bids via our website
Coronavirus vaccination for people aged 45 or over
Due to the incredible efforts of vaccination teams across the country, including here in Devon, the Government has confirmed that everyone in priority groups one to nine (those aged 50 years old and over, health and care workers and clinically vulnerable) have now been offered a vaccine, and people aged 45 to 49 years old are now being invited to book their appointments through the NHS booking service.
The latest figures show that more than 650,000 people in Devon have been given their first dose of the vaccine.
People aged 45 years old or over can now book their COVID-19 vaccine.
 Rapid coronavirus tests now available across Devon
Every adult in Devon is being encouraged to take a quick COVID-19 test twice a week to help stop the virus spreading.
These type of tests, known as rapid lateral flow device (LFD) tests, are for people who don't show any symptoms of having coronavirus. One in three people with coronavirus do not experience any symptoms and may be spreading the virus unwittingly. Rapid testing detects cases quickly, meaning positive cases can isolate immediately. They are easy, quick and convenient, and the results are usually available to you within the hour.
There are lots of ways you can get one of these tests in Devon, including:
Carers, personal assistants and frontline DCC social care staff can order and collect testing kits at the same time as their PPE supplies.
If the test is negative, you can carry on with your day while still following the public health guidance about social distancing and wearing face coverings.
If the test is positive, you need to self-isolate immediately and arrange a confirmatory PCR test via the NHS.
Remember, these rapid lateral flow tests are to be taken regularly if you do not have any symptoms of coronavirus. If you do develop and symptoms, you should immediately self-isolate and arrange a PCR test via the NHS.
Meal boxes delivered to families with young children across Devon
We're delivering two thousand meal boxes to families with young children this Easter holiday in an initiative designed to help those who are struggling during the coronavirus pandemic.
The Devon County Council initiative, called ‘The Goodie Box’, sees ingredients and simple recipe ideas delivered to families’ front doors this week (w/e Friday 16 April).
All the recipes use store cupboard and widely available ingredients, many of which are also consistent with food available for purchase with Healthy Start vouchers (should families be eligible).
Do you know of families with children eligible for free school meals?
Key findings from the research evaluating the response to COVID-19 by Early Years Services in Devon
Since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, a wide range of services in Devon have adapted at speed to continue to provide services to children and their families. Services include the Early Years Complex Needs service, Public Health Nursing (specifically the health visiting service), and Children's Centre services.
- Services have moved quickly to respond to the need for remote service delivery and made use of technology.
- Services took existing service delivery methods and interventions and adapted these so that they could be delivered through virtual and digital means.
Following a parent and staff online survey, case study interviews with parents, and in-depth interviews with practitioners, we are able to share an evaluation with Members. There were 400 responses to the parent survey, 168 responses to the staff survey, three case study interviews with parents, and 12 interviews with staff.
The evaluation will inform the Best Start in Life strategy for Devon and provide timely and helpful information for commissioners, service leads, Members and families across the county.
Read what has been the impact of the move to virtual and digital services on Early Years Services and children and families in Devon in this report for Members.
What can we learn from the Early Years response?
Some families have thrived over the past 12 months and have benefited from the experience with increased attachment and time to support their child in their development. Conversely, many families have struggled, for example new parents and those with children with additional needs or special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). Some families who may have in the past been considered resilient have been challenged by the circumstances of the pandemic and now need greater support than before. Similarly, some staff have found remote working empowering and bringing a good work life balance, whilst others have found the physical distance from colleagues and reduced opportunities to discuss professional issues face to face challenging.
The coronavirus pandemic has inevitably raised challenges for service delivery. However, it has also presented a chance to pause and reflect on what we’ve learned to date from such rapid change. There is now an opportunity going forwards to shape service delivery, taking the best of the gains that face to face contact and virtual and digital delivery can bring, so that we can achieve the very best outcomes for children and families in Devon.
Students reminded to take COVID-19 tests before returning to school or college next week
Secondary school pupils and college students are being reminded to take their lateral flow device (LFD) COVID-19 tests before returning to the classroom next week.
This twice weekly testing, which is available to everyone without COVID-19 symptoms, helps identify positive cases that would otherwise have gone undetected. For schools and colleges this means reducing the likelihood of positive cases leading to whole class bubbles having to isolate and disrupting education.
There are lots of ways that students can get one of these tests in Devon.
Face coverings in secondary schools and colleges to remain in place
The Government has confirmed that face coverings should continue to be worn in secondary school and college classrooms, corridors and communal areas when students return after the Easter break.
It is expected that face coverings will no longer be required to be worn in classrooms, or by students in other communal areas, at Step 3 of the roadmap, which will be no earlier than Monday 17 May.
Care home residents can have two named visitors
Since Monday 12 April, care home residents can name up to two people who can come for regular indoor visits, either together or separately.
Visitors should be tested using rapid lateral flow tests before every visit, must wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) and follow all other infection control measures (which the care home will guide them on) during visits.
Each care home is unique and will have developed suitable plans and processes to protect residents, visitors and staff, so please speak to them directly to find out more about visiting your loved ones safely.
Recovery Loan Scheme launches
A new Government-backed loan scheme has launched to provide additional finance to businesses as they grow and recover from the disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Recovery Loan Scheme will provide businesses with loans from £25,000 up to a maximum of £10 million. The Government will provide an 80% guarantee for all loans and interest rates will be capped.
The scheme, which runs until 31 December 2021, will be administered by the British Business Bank, with loans available through accredited commercial lenders.
You can find out more, including how to apply, on the Government's website.
 Car sharing linked to increase in workplace COVID-19 outbreaks in Devon
While the number of positive cases of coronavirus in Devon remain relatively low, and well below the national average, we are still seeing a number of outbreaks in work places.
Cases are spreading between colleagues, and it's often not because of the work place practices themselves, it’s more a consequence of social interaction between colleagues who are car sharing.
Car sharing is not permitted with someone from outside your household or your support bubble unless your journey is undertaken for an exempt reason, for example, if car sharing is reasonably necessary as part of your work.
The best option is not to car share because it is difficult to socially distance, but if you have an exempt reason to car share, please do everything you can to minimise the risk of catching and spreading the virus between passengers. You can reduce the risk of transmission by:
- sharing the transport with the same people each time
- minimising the group size at any one time
- opening windows for ventilation
- travelling side by side or behind other people, rather than facing them, where seating arrangements allow
- facing away from each other
- considering seating arrangements to maximise distance between people in the vehicle
- cleaning your car between journeys using standard cleaning products – make sure you clean door handles and other areas that people may touch
- asking the driver and passengers to wear a face covering.
 Don't be a selfish parker
With coronavirus restrictions easing we are now able to venture further from home and enjoy more of Devon's beautiful beaches and countryside.
As popular beauty spots get busier, selfish and anti-social parking becomes a major frustration for many residents, so drivers are being asked to be kind and respect each other and make sure they park responsibly.
This includes not leaving vehicles obstructing pavements or blocking driveways, taking up more than one space or using designated bays they are not eligible to use. Most importantly drivers should be careful not to block access for emergency vehicles.
Our civil enforcement officers work hard to keep our roads and streets clear and safe for everyone to use. They ensure that local roads are kept clear so traffic can flow, ensure that on-street parking is not abused so there's space to park and that communities are not blighted by illegal parking.
Libraries open for browsing
Devon's libraries are continuing to provide books and other resources and since Monday 12 April they are able to offer more services.
- Book browsing is available in most libraries, and there will be free access to use library computers, bookable in advance. The exception to this is at Salcombe library. Buckfastleigh, Chulmleigh and Bideford libraries will be offering Choose and Collect only at this time.
- Mobile libraries are back on the road, offering book browsing for one household at a time.
- The Home Library service will continue to run as normal.
- And there will be an outdoor cafe and takeaway service at Exeter Library and The Hayridge in Cullompton.
Libraries will maintain the two metre social distancing rule and hand sanitisation stations will be available. The number of customers allowed into the buildings will be limited and one-way systems to help the safe flow of customers through the libraries will be in place.
For more information and opening times visit the Libraries Unlimited website.
 #SafeRamadan
This year, Ramadan will be from Monday 12/Tuesday 13 April to Wednesday 12/Thursday 13 May 2021 (depending on moon sightings). It is one of the holiest months of the Islamic lunar calendar. We wish Ramadan Mubarak to everyone celebrating this week. Please stay safe by following the current Ramadan COVID-19 guidance.
 One minute national silence to mark the death of HRH The Duke of Edinburgh
To mark the death of His Royal Highness The Duke of Edinburgh on 9 April 2021, there will be a national one minute silence at 3.00pm on Saturday 17 April.
We have published a message from the Chair of Devon County Council, Councillor Stuart Barker, on our website, and full details of the arrangements being made throughout Devon are being shared on the website of Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Devon.
You can also hear more from our Chairman and the Lord Lieutenant of Devon on our News Centre.
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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