Dudley Council - coronavirus updates 25 September 2020

Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council sent this bulletin at 25-09-2020 05:47 PM BST

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Keep up to date with latest coronavirus advice and
how it affects council services

Find out the latest government guidance

Let's avoid a local lockdown

The leader of Dudley Council is warning residents will be unable to meet people from outside of their household if cases of Covid-19 in the borough are not controlled.

Cases of COVID-19 are increasing in Dudley borough and across the country and many areas have already seen local restrictions imposed which have included preventing people from mixing with other households at their home or in their gardens.

These additional restrictions have now been announced nationally and locally restrictions already prevent residents in Birmingham, Sandwell, Solihull and Wolverhampton having any contact between households.

And residents in Dudley borough are being urged to take every precaution they can in order to help prevent similar additional restrictions being applied over the coming days.

Help protect everyone - get the app

The new NHS COVID-19 app launched yesterday (24 September)

The NHS COVID-19 app has launched nationally and is available to everyone aged 16 and over in England and Wales.

The app will help the NHS understand where and how quickly the virus is spreading, so it can respond effectively.

If the app identifies a user has been in close contact with a confirmed case of coronavirus, the user will:

receive an exposure alert with advice on what to do
be advised to self isolate

The app will not hold any personal information. It cannot track a user’s location. It cannot be used to access a user’s identity or any other information on user’s phone.

All users can delete the NHS COVID-19 app at any time. This will also delete all data stored on app

You should use the app when entering most council buildings, including including leisure centres, libraries, museums, town halls, crematoriums and at Dudley Council House.

Rule of 6

When meeting friends and family you do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with) you must not meet in a group of more than 6, indoors or outdoors.

This is against the law and the police will have the powers to enforce these legal limits, including to issue fines (fixed penalty notices) of £200, doubling for further breaches up to a maximum of £6,400.

Everyone should:

Practice social distancing when they are with anyone who is not a member of their household or support bubble (from September 14), it is illegal to meet in groups of more than six indoors or outside, with some exceptions).
Wear a face covering in enclosed public places like shops and on public transport, unless they are exempt on medical grounds.
Thoroughly clean frequently touched areas in the home or at work.
Continue to wash their hands more regularly with soap, for 20 seconds at a time.

Support with stopping smoking

Stopping smoking is one of the best things you'll ever do for your health.

When you stop, you give your lungs the chance to repair and you'll be able to breathe easier. There are lots of other benefits too - and they start almost immediately.

It's never too late to quit, so join in this Stoptober. Let's do this!

Messages from community leaders

Key community figures across the borough have come together with a clear message to residents to play their part and avoid a local lockdown.

In a series of video messages, which will be shared on social media, residents are urged to follow government guidelines including wearing face masks and following social distancing to help prevent the spread of coronavirus.

The videos feature a local Imam, the Bishop of Dudley, a local GP and a Dudley borough resident who has been shielding due to coronavirus.

Watch the videos on the council's YouTube channel.

Clean up the borough

Hundreds of thousands of #LitterHeroes have been taking to our streets, parks and beaches to clean up and protect our environment. And you can play your part too

Visiting sheltered housing

From Monday (September 21) only essential visitors will be able to access Dudley Council’s sheltered housing schemes

Save money with the Big Switch

Residents could save on their winter fuel bills if they take part in the latest round of Dudley Council’s energy saving Big Switch scheme

National recycle week

Recycle Week runs from 21 to 27 September and the theme 'Together - We Recycle' is about thanking the nation for continuing to play its part during this difficult year

250 new cycle stands

cllr karen shakespeare with new cycle racks

250 new cycle parking stands have been installed across the borough to encourage people to ditch cars for greener ways of travelling

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You will be missed, but we understand 😃

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