 The new NHS COVID-19 app is now available to download on most smartphones.
It works by recording the location of the places you visit, like pubs, restaurants or other public places. Then you'll get an alert if you've recently visited a place for a period of time where you may have come into contact with someone who has recently tested positive for coronavirus.
This is vitally important so that you can immediately take steps to self isolate and take any other appropriate steps.
It also tells you what the risk alert is for your postcode, allows you to check in at a venue by scanning a QR code, book a free test, read self-isolation advice and enter a test result.
While our rates in North Devon still remain relatively low, it is important not to get complacent and let your guard down. So we want to actively encourage all of you to download the app today.
If you are concerned about downloading the app because of your data and privacy - you can find more answers on the NHS website:
The Government has today launched a website where you can apply for a Green Homes Grant.
The Green Homes Grant gives homeowners in England vouchers worth up to £5,000 to help cover the cost of energy efficient improvements to their home – such as low carbon heating systems, insulation or double glazing to replace single glazing.
For most, the vouchers will be worth about two-thirds of the cost of the energy efficient improvements, up to a maximum of £5,000 per household. As an example, if you install cavity wall and floor insulation costing £4,000, you'd only pay about £1,320, with the Government contributing the remaining £2,680.
However, if you're on a low income or certain benefits, you can get vouchers of up to £10,000 to cover the entire cost of installing the measures.
To get involved, you'll need to be quick, as there's only a six-month window to sort this. The Government has said you need to have completed the work by 31 March 2021.
While this is not something you should rush into, if you are interested, you need to factor in the time it takes to get quotes, apply to the scheme and get the work completed. What's more, if the scheme proves popular, there may be backlogs if installers struggle to meet demand, so don't hang about.
Before applying for funding, you can check which measures (if any) you're eligible for and get quotes from tradespeople using the Simple Energy Advice eligibility checker. The Government suggests getting at least three quotes from different tradespeople.
However, the tool only gives an idea of what you could be eligible for, rather than a guarantee you'll get funding, so don't agree to any work until after you have applied and have been issued with a voucher.
 The deadline for the second round of SEISS is less than 3 weeks away
- When is it available? This is currently open but the deadline to apply is 19 October.
- How much can you get? It is worth up to £6,570 in total. It is made up of a single payment made up of 70% of of three months' worth of average monthly trading profits over three months capped at £2,190/month. You need to have been adversely affected by coronavirus on or after 14 July 2020 to claim it.
Grant 3:
- When is it available? It's not open yet, but will cover the period from 1 November until 31 January.
- How much can you get? A lump sum covering 20% of three months' worth of average monthly profits up to a total of £1,875. You will be asked to declare that your business has been impacted between 1 November and the date of your claim.
Grant 4:
- When is it available? It's not open yet, but will cover the period from 1 February until 30 April.
- How much can you get? The Government has not confirmed the amount or any other details.
Workers on a low income who need to stay at home and self-isolate may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500 through the Test and Trace Support Payment scheme.
You will not be able to apply for this grant until 12 October so please don’t contact us before then.
Who can apply?
You can apply for a self-isolation payment if you are aged 16 or over and you:
- live in North Devon district
- have tested positive for COVID-19
- have a job or are self-employed
- are unable to work from home and will lose income as a result
- you have been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace – either because you have tested positive or you have been in close contact with someone who has
You also need to be currently receiving one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- income-based Employment and Support Allowance
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income support
- housing benefit
- pension credit
You must agree to comply with the notification from NHS test and trace and self-isolate.
How much is the payment?
You may be supported by a lump sum payment of £500
Will this payment be taxed?
This payment will be subject to income tax. It will not be subject to National Insurance contributions.
How long will this be in place for?
The scheme will run until 31 January 2021.
When will this come into force?
These changes came into effect on 28 September 2020, alongside the legal duty to self-isolate. We expect to have our systems in place by 12 October; individuals who are eligible prior to that date will be able to make a backdated claim.
What are the penalties for not self-isolating?
As well as new support measures, from 28 September, you could also be fined if you do not stay at home and self-isolate following a positive test result for COVID-19. Or if you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace and instructed to self-isolate because you are a contact of someone who has had a positive test result.
From this date, if you test positive for COVID-19, it will also be an offence to knowingly provide false information about your close contacts to NHS Test and Trace.
Failure to comply with these requirements may result in a fine of up to £10,000.
 
Currently only people with COVID-19 symptoms need to get tested:
A high temperature
OR a new, continuous cough
OR loss or change to sense of smell or taste
 People arriving in England from these destinations after 4am on Saturday 26 September 2020 will now also need to self-isolate for 2 weeks:
- Denmark
- Iceland
- Slovakia
- Curaçao
You may be fined up to £100 for failure to fill out the passenger locator form ahead of your arrival into the country, or more if you break this rule more than once. You also may not be allowed to enter the UK (unless you’re either British or a UK resident).
In England, if you are required to self-isolate and if you do not, you can be fined £1,000. If you do not provide an accurate contact detail declaration – or do not update your contact detail form in the limited circumstances where you need to move to another place to self-isolate – you can be fined. These fines start at £100 and will double – up to £3,200 – for repeated offences.
Avoid misinformation on Coronavirus - only follow advice from official, trusted sources.
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