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The VE Day anniversary is an opportunity to reflect on the enormous sacrifice, courage and determination of people from all walks of life during World War II.
As the lockdown continues and we prepare to commemorate VE day at home this bank holiday weekend, please remember that the coronavirus (COVID-19) related restrictions announced over six weeks ago still remain in place in order to help protect the NHS and save lives.
So many people in the past have made sacrifices to ensure we enjoy the freedoms and liberties that we are temporarily deprived of at the moment. Those on the front line now aren’t just soldiers, but are our key workers, fighting a virus that has turned life as we know it upside down.
This year marks the 75th year since the guns fell silent at the end of the war in Europe, and with the country on lockdown and all community and national events cancelled or postponed, it will be celebrated in a different, but no less special, way. Here are some ideas:
 The mobile coronavirus testing site is still operating at the North Devon Leisure Centre car park until Tuesday 12 May (including Saturday and Sunday). You must book a test on the government testing portal site in advance. They are currently testing:
- all essential workers including NHS and social care workers with symptoms (see the full list of essential workers)
- anyone over 65 with symptoms
- anyone with symptoms whose work cannot be done from home (for example, construction workers, shop workers, emergency plumbers and delivery drivers)
- anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus and lives with any of those identified above
- social care workers and residents in care homes (with or without symptoms) both to investigate outbreaks and, following successful pilots, as part of a rolling programme to test all care homes (see below for information on testing in care homes)
- NHS workers and patients without symptoms, in line with NHS England guidance
This means anyone in one of these groups can find out whether they have the virus. Testing is most effective within 3 days of symptoms developing.
 If your waste or recycling collection is due on Friday 8 May it won't be collected until Saturday 9 May due to the bank holiday.
 Last week, the government announced that a second, smaller pot of funding is being made available to businesses who fell outside of the original business grants scheme.
Nationally, the total scheme will provide 5% of the total amount allocated under the original funding but the council is waiting to see what amount will be allocated to North Devon.
We are also waiting to hear what criteria will be used although indications are that it will be restricted to businesses that are able to demonstrate a significant fall in income as a result of the crisis and who have fixed building related costs.
The new scheme will not be available to businesses that qualified under the previous funding.
Once the scheme is ready to roll out, information on how to apply will be on the Coronavirus business support pages on our website.
The government has given clarification this week which means that Devon County Council willbe reopening most of their Household Waste Recycling Centres on Monday 11 May, but only for essential use.
By 'essential use' they mean waste that cannot be stored at home without causing a risk of injury or harm to your health.
There'll be restrictions at the recycling centres including the size of vehicles coming in, and social distancing, and unfortunately the staff won't be able to help with the lifting of bags.
It is also expected to be busy, so if it can wait, please do. They are also asking people to not queue on the roads. If you see a queue, please come back another time.
More information about waste disposal and recycling is available on the DCC website.
If it’s waste that can be disposed of legally and responsibly in some other way, for example your weekly kerbside collections, please do that. And please remember that we are still offering our fortnightly garden waste collection service for £36 a year (or £3 a month) which you can apply and pay for on our website:
 Many of us are now spending more time online while we continue to follow the government’s advice to stay at home and reduce the spread of coronavirus. Sadly, opportunistic cyber criminals are attempting to exploit this increased online activity, by launching large numbers of cyber crime campaigns which could reach any of us.
In response to this, the National Cyber Security Centre has published new Cyber Aware guidance, to help the public stay safe online. The Cyber Aware resources include tips on how to protect your passwords, accounts and devices.
Please take some time to read and follow the advice, to ensure you and your family can continue to stay safe online.
There's still time to enter our colouring competition. Ask your child(ren) to create a drawing or instruction sheet about separating glass from the rest of the items in your recycling box. They can let their imagination run wild!
Send your child’s drawing to communications@northdevon.gov.uk or message our Facebook page and we will decide who’s is best!
Then we’ll use the entries to help spread the message on our social media pages.
The WINNER will receive a fabulous prize!
The competition ends Monday 11/05/20 at 12pm. So get drawing!
Avoid misinformation on Coronavirus - only follow advice from official, trusted sources.
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