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11 December 2020
Message from Ruth Harrell, Director of Public Health for Plymouth
It was great to see the first vaccinations against coronavirus starting in Plymouth this week. This shows that there is light at the end of the tunnel and that we won't have to live with current restrictions forever.
The vaccination roll-out is going to take several months and we cannot afford to relax our guards in the meantime. In Plymouth the rapid fall in the number of COVID-19 cases due to the impact of the lockdown has eased off and this week we've seen a few days where cases have risen again.
While we are still in a good position compared to the national picture, this is a reminder that there is absolutely no room for complacency and that we must continue to be careful in following all the measures needed to stay safe: getting tested and self-isolating if we have symptoms, washing our hands frequently for 20 seconds, wearing face coverings in confined public spaces and keeping our distance from others.
It is particularly important that we take extra care when the restrictions currently in place, such as not mixing households indoors, are temporarily lifted over Christmas. Everyone will need to consider what is appropriate for their families, especially if any family members or friends are particularly vulnerable.
Please keep up the great work so far in reducing the spread of the virus in Plymouth and keep yourselves, your loved ones and your community safe.
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 Self-isolation period to be reduced
The Government has announced that after reviewing the evidence it is reducing the length of time people need to self-isolate from 14 days to 10 days.
From Monday 14 December NHS Test and Trace will start asking contacts of positive cases to self-isolate for 10 days.
People who return from countries which are not on the travel corridor list should also self-isolate for 10 days instead of 14 days.
Eighty-eight year-old Dennis Lyne was the first patient in Devon and Cornwall to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccination this week.
Staff at Derriford Hospital took this video of Dennis having his vaccination on Tuesday. The hospital will be focusing vaccinations on those aged over 80 and those working in care homes first, in line with the Government guidance.
The vaccination programme will build up steadily in the weeks and months ahead and will gradually be extended to more and more people.
As the vaccine is being rolled out, people are being asked to wait to be called and not contact the hospital or their GP about it. NHS staff will be contacting patients who have been identified as a priority to be offered the vaccine first.
The Government has published guidance on why people are being asked to wait for the vaccine.
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There’s even more than usual to think about in the run-up to Christmas this year as we need to plan how we can keep family and friends safe.
The Government has said that the local tier restrictions will be relaxed between Wednesday 23 and Sunday 27 December, to enable family and friends to form ‘Christmas bubbles’ of up to three households.
You can travel between tiers to meet your Christmas bubble in a private home, garden, place of worship or public outdoor space.
If you form a Christmas bubble, you should not meet socially with friends and family that you do not live with in your home or garden unless they are part of your Christmas bubble.
You should consider the risks before deciding whether to form a Christmas bubble, particularly if you have vulnerable people in your household.
Until the Christmas bubble period starts you should continue to follow the local tier restriction guidance.
Christmas bubbles for those who clinically extremely vulnerable
You are still able to form a Christmas bubble if you are clinically extremely vulnerable, but it does involve greater risks for you. You will minimise your risk of infection if you limit social contact with people you do not live with.
Advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people is available on the Government's website.
 Christmas travel period 23 to 27 December
If you’re part of a Christmas bubble this year in order to visit family or friends, you’re probably thinking about your travel plans.
Between Wednesday 23 and Sunday 27 December, you can travel between different tiers and other nations of the UK if necessary, to meet with your Christmas bubble.
However, you should not travel if you have any coronavirus symptoms or have been told to self-isolate. And if you do have symptoms, please book a test.
The Government’s rules say you should not travel to see your bubble before Wednesday 23 December or travel back after Sunday 27 December except in exceptional circumstances (for example, if a member of your Christmas bubble develops coronavirus symptoms and you are required to self-isolate). You can find full travel guidance for the Christmas period on the Government's website.
Major improvements are to be made at the Plymouth Life Centre while it undergoes remedial works.
The additional works to improve facilities for centre users will be carried out while the centre is closed, minimising disruption to users and ultimately delivering an improved facility for future generations to enjoy.
They will reflect the latest standards in the ever-evolving fitness sector, valuable feedback from the Life Centre’s many network groups and members and the latest standards to increase COVID safety, as well as help with carbon reduction and improve the overall customer experience.
They include a new yoga studio, upgraded ventilation and air conditioning, pool hoists to improve accessibility for disabled visitors and new cubicles and lockers in the changing rooms.
 Plymouth’s PARC rangers have become a regular sight as part of a concerted effort to explain, engage and educate everyone about the latest COVID-19 rules.
A team of 12 have been out and about, both during lockdowns and when restrictions have eased, to remind people and businesses, especially pubs, cafes, gyms and barbers, about the latest measures.
Over the most recent lockdown they checked over 1,200 premises a week to make sure businesses that remained open had all the measures in place to help keep people safe.
Since the beginning of November they have carried out over 6,000 visits; popping in, saying hello and passing out guidance, posters and contact details for our Public Protection Service, who are responsible for enforcing the legislation.
Spitting is a horrible habit. It's anti-social and, especially in the current COVID-climate, it's pretty unhygienic too.
That's why from now on, spitting in the street in Plymouth could land you with a bill for £100.
The move will be enforced by our environmental enforcement team who are already authorised to issue fixed penalty notices.
Anyone witnessed spitting will be issued with the notice which, if not paid, could result in a court summons.
There are 15 adorable polar bear cubs waiting to be found along Plymouth's waterfront with the return of the Polar Bear Trail.
Find the bears in businesses around the Barbican, Mount Batten, Royal William Yard and at The Box by downloading the free Plymouth Trails app. Every child completing the trail will receive a special badge and a sweet treat at the final location.
Each bear has its own individual style, having been painted by Plymouth schoolchildren or by local artists.
When the trail has finished on 23 December, the four bears designed by local artists will be auctioned off to raise money for St Luke’s Hospice.
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Useful links
Book a test for COVID-19
NHS coronavirus (COVID-19) website
Plymouth City Council's COVID-19 website
Check your bin day
Plymouth news
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