 The NHS Test and Trace service has been launched.
The government is introducing the service to help return life more to normal, in a way that is safe and protects our NHS and social care.
Anyone who tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to find out about who they've been in close contact with recently. Then, if necessary, those they've interacted with will be notified and told they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus.
There's more information about how the system works on the government's website, along with guidance for people who have been notified by NHS Test and Trace that they've been in contact with someone who has had a positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19).
From today some of our lockdown restrictions that have been in place have changed.
1) Nurseries and other early years settings and reception, year one and year six in primary schools have reopened in a safe way;
2) Outdoor retail and car showrooms, where social distancing is generally easier, have been able to reopen; and
3) Up to six people can meet outside (in parks, gardens and other private outdoor space) - provided those from different households continue strictly to observe social distancing rules by staying two metres apart.
Following this, the government has updated its coronavirus FAQs page containing full details of where we are at the moment bit.ly/CV19FAQs
 Just a reminder that all food services operating in our district - including temporary and not-for-profit businesses - are required by law to register with us. Registration is simple, free and can’t be refused. Once registered we will provide advice on how to comply with food safety law, assess business premises for hygiene and award a rating under the national Food Hygiene Rating Scheme. Once a rating has been given, it can be used to promote the business.
If you're operating a food business, please register it on our website: www.northdevon.gov.uk/register-a-food-business
 Our discretionary grants form for small and micro businesses is now live: www.northdevon.gov.uk/coronavirus/discretionary-grants
Under this new scheme the following businesses will be prioritised:
- small businesses in shared offices or other flexible workspaces
- regular market traders with fixed building costs, such as rent, who do not have their own business rates assessment
- Bed & Breakfasts which pay Council Tax instead of business rates
- charity properties in receipt of charitable business rates relief which would otherwise have been eligible for Small Business Rates Relief or Rural Rate Relief; AND
Local priority sectors, which for northern Devon are:
- manufacturing
- food and drink
- creative Industries, including digital
- businesses who operate in, or whose main customer base is within the retail, leisure or hospitality sectors
Grants will be awarded at five fixed levels; £1k, £2.5k, £5k, £10k, £25k.
 At the moment we can't collect your textiles as part of our usual green waste collections. This is because we are not able to pass them on to the Salvation Army during the coronavirus outbreak. Please hang on to them though as they will be greatly received once collections can restart and clothes banks are open again.
 Unfortunately over the weekend we received several reports like this. We know the majority of people already take their rubbish home so if you see the culprits report flytipping to us so we can investigate www.northdevon.gov.uk/flytipping
 The first week of June is traditionally National Volunteers' Week and North Devon Voluntary Services - NDVS and its DeVA partners would normally have organised a range of events to celebrate the fantastic work that all volunteers do within our communities. Unfortunately, the normal celebration events have had to be postponed or cancelled this year.
However, they (and we!) wanted to make sure we say a big THANK YOU to all volunteers because they make such a valuable contribution to our community.
North Devon Voluntary Services are there to offer advice and support should you need them – please don’t hesitate to contact them.
Avoid misinformation on Coronavirus - only follow advice from official, trusted sources.
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