Coronavirus (Covid-19) update - 3 July 2020
Welcome to the weekly Coronavirus (Covid-19) update for East Devon residents. We are working to keep you informed through this email update and the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pages on our website, which have all our latest information, and links to the Government, the NHS and our community.
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You can also can share this update on social media and in any online groups you're part of by using this link to the update on our website.
Enjoy Summer Safely in East Devon
 On Saturday we will see the reopening of a number of businesses including restaurants, cafes, pubs and hair salons that have been closed during lockdown providing those businesses are Covid-19 secure. To help these spaces stay safe, all venues will now be asking you to share your name and phone number. This will allow Public Health bodies to notify you if a local outbreak occurs. If you plan to use public transport to travel around East Devon the wearing of a face covering is mandatory.
When out and about the importance of social distancing with people outside of your own household or support bubble is important and ideally that distance remains 2 metres but where that is not possible a 1 metre plus distance is recommended.
As more places begin to reopen, handwashing is as important than ever. When you get home from being outside, wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds.
If you develop COVID-19 symptoms as a resident or are here visiting, do not ignore or try to hide your symptoms. It is important you act quickly to help yourself and protect those
around you. It is your responsibility to stay safe and keep others safe. Stay indoors and self-isolate. The symptoms are having a:
- high temperature
- new, continuous cough
- loss/change in sense of smell
- loss/change in sense of taste
East Devon District Council to re-open its skate parks and multi-use games areas (MUGAs) from Monday 6 July
Four skate parks and 12 multi-use games areas (MUGAs) will be re-opening to the public from Monday (6 July)
As part of the easing of restrictions, and following a rigorous risk assessment of skate parks and MUGAs, click on the read more for the list of sites that will re-open from Monday.
New signage will be required to be in place to remind people to maintain social distancing, to wash their hands thoroughly before and after their visit, to take their own hand sanitiser wherever possible and not to eat and drink whilst using play equipment. We are also asking people take your litter home or to dispose of litter in the bins provided, be considerate of other park users and if any play area appears busy, they should come back at a later time.
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Council working towards opening some play areas from 13 July
Re-opening of play sites is a more complex issue due to the detailed guidance from the government on increased cleaning of where people’s hands meet the equipment.
There are clearly many of these touch points where children play and, whereas before these touch points were not cleaned, the council is carrying out further risk assessments to determine the levels of cleaning now required in light of COVID-19.
These assessments are required for each of the 71 play area sites. With the current resources the council has, it is focussing on how it can safely re-open 12 play parks and will review the re-opening of all the other sites shortly.
Read our Residents update next Friday for more news.
East Devon beach huts and chalets to re-open with charges reduced for the remaining season
East Devon District Council’s beach huts and chalets will re-open from Saturday 4 July, in line with the government’s relaxation of lockdown rules.
The council has 417 beach huts in Beer, Budleigh, Exmouth, Seaton and Sidmouth. It has 20 chalets in Exmouth, which, along with the 68 beach huts can be used all-year-round. The season for the other beach huts runs from late March to the end of October. The beach huts have remained closed since the announcement of lockdown in March.
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Annual Canvass Return
Advance notice that we will be sending out SMS text messages and emails from next week encouraging people to use our online services to confirm entries on the electoral register.
The SMS will say:
East Devon Electoral Services: Dear ((First Name)), please act now so that East Devon District Council can confirm who should be on the East Devon electoral register at your address. Please visit www.householdresponse.com/eastdevon and enter the following security code - Part 1: 00000. Part 2: 00000.
If you have any queries please contact the Election Office on 01395 571529
 Community Hub update
Since it was set up on 30 March our Coronavirus Community Hub Hotline has received on average 50 calls per day since opening. It is supporting people with finding help for food deliveries and picking up prescriptions.
Individuals or organisations can now request or offer community support by filling out one of our online forms. You can search by postcode on the East Devon District Council Coronavirus Community Support Hub to find your local group or organisation providing support at this time.
Call the Community Hub hotline now on 01395 571500 if you, or a group you know, needs help or you would like to volunteer. The line is open normally Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm.
Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people living on their own can now create a support bubble
 From the 6 July, people who are shielding who live alone or in a single-parent household can create a ‘support bubble’ with one other household, following the same rules that apply to the public now.
Business update
Thank you to everyone who submitted an application to the Discretionary Grant Scheme, which closed on 24th June. Please bear with us while we work through the 190 applications received - our officers will be in touch as soon as possible.
The second round of the Government's Discretionary Grant Fund will be open for applications from the 6th to 17th July.
To receive our regular business updates simply visit our website, add your email address and choose the ‘business’ topic.
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Exmouth tidal defence scheme construction pauses for summer season
The re-opening of the sea front road on Friday 26 June marks a major milestone in the construction of the £12m Exmouth tidal defence scheme.
The Environment Agency has removed most of the construction areas from the town and the road along the seafront is now open. The Environment Agency’s schedule includes a summer break to protect tourism in the area.
Work on the project, which was identified by government as critical infrastructure, has continued in line with the government’s coronavirus (COVID-19) advice with measures in place to ensure social distancing and safe working procedures on site. This has allowed the team to reach this milestone as planned.
Once complete in 2021, the scheme will reduce the risk of tidal flooding to over 1,400 residential and 400 commercial properties.
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Thelma Hulbert Gallery update
One week to go!
We are delighted to announce that THG will reopen its doors next Saturday 11 July with the relaunch of its acclaimed exhibition: ARTIST ROOMS Richard Long Being in the Moment.
This ambitious exhibition, which examines our relationship to the natural world is kick-starting East Devon District Council’s programme of cultural recovery. It will be accompanied by an inspiring new creative programme of art activities, projects and workshops coming soon to a neighbourhood near you.
The gallery has been reconfigured to ensure the safety of visitors and staff following government guidelines.
*New Gallery Opening Hours* THURSDAY to SATURDAY, 10am to 5pm.
Guided tours only.
Individuals and households of up to 4 people can book a guided tour of the current exhibition (up to 45 minutes). 6 tours will take place each day. To book your tour, please book below or call 01404 45006. Please note that the toilet facilities are closed.
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Wild East Devon update
Wild East Devon July Events Success
Our summer events programme has been on hold since March due to the impact of Covid-19 and while our regular events in July have been also cancelled, we have decided to adapt and provide for the first time socially-distancing, bespoke guided tours of our Seaton Wetlands nature reserve for one household of up to five people to comply with the latest government advice.
We’re exceptionally pleased to announce that we have had an incredible and overwhelming response from the public to our new events. We initially put 4 dates in for July and after selling out in 24 hours we added 5 new dates, which sold out again in 3 days!
The half a day walk with a Wild East Devon ranger will ensure the social distancing rules are upheld but allow visitors to reconnect with the outdoors and recharge their mental and physical wellness around the spectacular nature reserve.
Look out for August events when we hope to be hosting more events at our nature reserves including more guided tours, meditation, willow weaving, yoga, pond dipping and much more.
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 To keep in touch with the Wild East Devon Team follow them on Facebook and Twitter.
Trusted sources of advice and information
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