Devon Voluntary Action have also produced a really helpful guide to the management and governance arrangements that voluntary groups should have in place. 

We know that there is a huge amount of community support making a real difference to people’s lives. As this work continues, we just wanted to remind you that support and advice is available to community and voluntary groups through West Devon CVS and South Hams CVS.

What can I do that I couldn’t do before?

From yesterday, there are a limited number of things you will be able to do that you could not do before:

• spend time outdoors, including private gardens and other outdoor spaces, in groups of up to six people from different households, following social distancing guidelines
• visit car showrooms and outdoor markets
• in line with the arrangements made by your school, send your child to school or nursery if they are in early years, reception, year 1 or year 6, if you could not before

At all times, you should continue to keep to strict social distancing guidelines when you are outside your home, particularly ensuring you are two metres away from anyone outside your household.

Find out about all the updated advice about social distancing on the Government's updated FAQs. 

The advice for those aged 70 and over continues to be that they should take particular care to minimise contact with others outside their household.

If they do go out more frequently, they should be careful to maintain distance from others. They and everyone should continue to comply with any general social distancing restrictions.

People who are shielding remain vulnerable and should continue to take precautions but can now leave their home if they wish, as long as they are able to maintain strict social distancing. If they choose to spend time outdoors, this can be with members of their own household.

If they live alone, they can spend time outdoors with one person from another household. Ideally, this should be the same person each time. Remember to take extra care to minimise contact with others by keeping two metres apart. The guidance for shielding will be kept under regular review.

Employers should make every effort to support working from home, including by providing suitable IT and equipment as they have been already. This will apply to many different types of businesses, particularly those who typically would have worked in offices or online.

Where work can only be done in the workplace, there are secure guidelines for employers to help protect their workforce and customers from Coronavirus while still continuing to trade or getting their business back up and running. 

These ‘back to work’ guidelines apply to those in essential retail like:

• supermarkets
• those in construction and manufacturing
• those working in labs and research facilities
• those administering takeaways and deliveries at restaurants and cafes
• tradesmen, cleaners and others who work in people’s homes
• those who are facilitating trade or transport goods

Non-essential retail, restaurants, pubs, bars, gyms and leisure centres will remain closed. They will reopen in a phased manner provided it is safe for everyone for them to do so they are able to meet the COVID-19 secure guidelines to protect consumers and workers. 

The Government has announced its intention to reopen non-essential retail from 15 June, but only provided the five tests are still being met and shops have been made Covid secure.

More information on Council services, our community response and support for residents and businesses can be found on our West Devon Borough Council and South Hams District Council websites.

For more information from the Government, visit their FAQs here.