Coronavirus Doncaster: Update
Introduction
Hi, my name is Dr Rupert Suckling and I am the Director of Public Health in Doncaster.
There’s no denying that recent times have been difficult for Doncaster – from the floods to the Coronavirus pandemic – but as always, the borough has pulled together brilliantly.
This week Mayor Ros Jones set out her plan for how Doncaster can bounce back from these unprecedented events. You can read more on her 'Restart, Recovery and Renewal Plan' below.
From today (24 July), it's mandatory to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets as well as on public transport and in hospitals. This is to help slow the spread of Coronavirus. You can read the government advice on face coverings here.
There are other things we should still be doing as well; in particular both maintaining physical distancing when we're out and washing our hands regularly. Also, If you have any Coronavirus symptoms, you and anyone who lives in your household must self isolate and you should book a test for yourself immediately.
We now also have a webpage which contains all the local information on the cases of Coronavirus (COVID-19) and number of deaths for Doncaster. We'll be updating this webpage with the most up to date data on a regular basis.
Finally, it's good to see some gyms and fitness venues starting to reopen across the borough from tomorrow. If you do visit, please follow all the safety measures in place to keep you, other visitors and staff safe.
Let's Do It For Doncaster!
Dr Rupert Suckling
Director of Public Health
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Mayor Ros Jones details her Restart, Recovery and Renewal Plan
Mayor Ros Jones has now set out her plan for how Doncaster will ‘build back better’ for the longer term towards a cleaner, greener, more resilient, prosperous and inclusive borough.
This video sets out the 'Restart, Recovery and Renewal Plan' in a bit more detail as we remain responsive to the current situation we’re in, but also continue to plan for Doncaster's future.
The plan has taken into account resident feedback from the recent Doncaster Talks Survey results and also addresses a wide range of well-being challenges.
The plan has three sections:
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 'Restart' concentrates on getting services back up and running and safely opening up our economy.
We have started to open up our town centres and further council services to support residents, businesses and encourage social distancing whilst also encouraging the return to this ‘new normal’. We've also put in place an Outbreak Engagement Board – The Coronavirus pandemic is still a volatile situation and we must manage any further infections and outbreaks.
 'Recovery' is about what we can collectively put in place to help families and businesses recover. We've started to develop a jobs and skills programme and launched the Doncaster Summer Staycation to help support children and families.
As part of recovery we've further strengthened our relationships with the Voluntary, Community and Faith sector and will continue to do so to help make Doncaster communities more resilient and sustainable in the future.
We will also introduce a second round of ward budgets focused on recovery to support grassroots organisations and to target those local areas most in need.
 'Renewal' outlines the actions we can take now to improve well-being in the future. We've secured Government funding for ‘shovel-ready’ capital projects including Town Deals, Active Travel schemes and railway station improvements with the hope of further funding announcements that we can bid into.
We continue to lobby for the case made for a new hospital within the centre of Doncaster.
The Coronavirus pandemic has been incredibly challenging for local communities but it has seen people get back to nature through more walking and cycling. We will continue to encourage more people to be physically active and to reduce our carbon footprint and our impact on the planet.
Further details and information can be found here.
Don't forget your face covering
 Whether we're doing the big shop, nipping for some milk or enjoying some retail therapy in town, from today, we’ll all need to wear a face covering in a shop.
We also need to wear them on public transport and in hospital.
In line with government guidelines we are also asking customers that enter the One Stop Shop at the Civic Office to also wear them from today.
Let’s help slow the spread and make sure we can all feel safe when we go shopping.
Some DCLT fitness venues set to reopen from tomorrow
Fitness fans in the town will be able to get back to the gym from tomorrow (July 25) as four of Doncaster’s gyms reopen.
The Fitness Village at Adwick, Balby, Dearne Valley and Doncaster Dome will be reopening their doors to customers, following the latest government advice. Social distancing measures remain a necessity to keep staff and customers safe, so the reopening of venues is being done in stages.
 There'll be a number of measures to make sure that people feel safe and comfortable in visiting the venues, including:
- Online booking for sessions
- Session times in one hour slots
- Extra cleaning in all venues
- Changing rooms will not be available
The next phase of the reopening plans will see the pools at Adwick Leisure Complex, Armthorpe Leisure Centre Dearne Valley Leisure Centre, Doncaster Dome, and Thorne Leisure Centre. More details of the pool times and bookings will be available soon.
Find out more information here.
Play your part in stopping the spread of coronavirus
We all have a part to play in stopping the spread of coronavirus. If you develop symptoms, you must continue to follow the rules to self-isolate with other members of your household and order a test to find out if you have coronavirus. It’s really easy to get a test. You can order a home testing kit or pre-book a drive-through test.
If you test positive for coronavirus, you must share information promptly about your recent contacts through the NHS test and trace service to help them alert other people who may need to self-isolate.
Make sure you save the NHS Test and Trace number in your phone, and answer if they call you. The number is 0300 0135000. Remember the test and trace team will NEVER ask you for bank details, request payments or tell you to set up a PIN or password.
Find out more here
Physical distancing remains vital
 Whether we’re visiting friends, doing the weekly shop or going to the local, maintaining physical distancing is still VITAL when we're out and about!
2 metres is still the best distance wherever possible.
Let's keep our distance and slow the spread of the virus.
We’ve come too far to throw all our good work away – Dr David Crichton
In this week's blog, Dr David Crichton discusses the importance of us all being aware of what we are doing and what is happening around us as we continue to adapt our lifestyles and habits in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
"One thing I would like to say as a local Doctor and Clinical Chair of NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group is how pleased and proud I am of the overwhelming majority of people in Doncaster for sticking together and following the guidelines to help reduce the spread of Coronavirus."
Read Dr Crichton's full blog here.
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Enjoying Our Parks Safely
 When visiting our parks, you'll see these signs (above).
They're for your benefit and advise of the measures you can take to ensure social distancing is maintained whilst having fun!
Please note that some items of play equipment may be unavailable for now but we'll reintroduce them when it is deemed safe to do so.
And finally some useful reminders...
Council services update
Here are all the council services affected or suspended due to coronavirus
Birth Registrations
Birth registrations are available by appointment only.
Please book online here.
If for any reason you can’t make your appointment, please let us know as soon as possible so we can offer it to someone else.
Sharing is caring
Don’t forget to share the messages in this newsletter with people who may not be online, whilst following government guidance on physical distancing.
Doncaster Summer Staycation
We might be stuck at home this summer, but there are plenty of reasons to stick around! Doncaster Summer Staycation is a huge timetable of FREE virtual and face-to-face activities available throughout the six-week summer break!
Find out what's on offer.
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