West Devon Council News

View web version

Friday 3 July 2020

Weddings and Civil Partnerships

Wedding rings

Congratulations, if you're about to get married. Here's an update on the latest guidance, weddings and civil partnerships are allowed from Saturday 4 July but there are restrictions. To keep the risk low, there must be no more than 30 people attending and guests must be able to safely social distance.

Ceremonies are asked to be kept as short as possible and limited to the parts of the ceremonies that make them legally binding. 

Receptions are strongly advised not to take place at this time. Small celebrations should only take place if following social distancing guidelines – i.e. in groups of up to two households indoors, or up to six people from different households outdoors. Click here for more information.



Social Distancing Guidance

We all want life to return to as near normal as we can to safeguard livelihoods, but in a way that is safe and continues to protect our NHS. The most important thing we can do is to stay alert, control the virus, and in doing so, save lives.

Find out more here.

Social Distancing - June-July

Test and Trace - A Reminder

A reminder of what the NHS test and trace service is and how it will help keep the virus at bay. It makes sure that anyone who develops symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) can quickly be tested to find out if they have the virus.

It's up to all of us to play our part. So how can you help?

If you:

  • develop symptoms, you must continue to follow the rules to self-isolate with other members of your household and order a test to find out if you have coronavirus
  • test positive for coronavirus, you must share information promptly about your recent contacts through the NHS test and trace service to help us alert other people who may need to self-isolate
  • have had close recent contact with someone who has coronavirus, you must self-isolate if the NHS test and trace service advises you to do so

You can find more information on the Test and Trace service here.

Test and Trace Graphic

Providing Details for Test and Trace

hospitality industry worker at a deli counter wearing a face mask

If you are visiting a restaurant, pub, cafe or other hospitality/leisure business this weekend, you may be asked to provide contact details.

Businesses and organisations have been told to collect contact details of their customers to help control the spread of the virus in the event of another outbreak.

The contact details will be passed to the NHS Test and Trace service so that they can contact people if they are believed to have come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, or destroyed after 21 days.

You can find out more on the Gov.UK website


What's the Latest on MOTs?

MOT

MOT expiry dates are being extended by six months to help prevent the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

Your car, van or motorcycle’s MOT expiry date will be extended if it’s due between 30 March 2020 and 31 July 2020.

For those MOTs due on or after 1 August 2020, there is no extension so you will need to book your MOT as usual. MOT centres are now open so don't get caught out.

Don't take your vehicle to be tested if you’re self-isolating as you or someone you live with has coronavirus symptoms or you are shielding.

Some MOT centres will collect your vehicle, carry out an MOT, and return it if you’re being shielded. Contact your local MOT centres to find out if they offer this service.

More information can be found here.


HMRC Contacts - Beware of Scams

We know there are a lot of scams at the moment linked to coronavirus. So how do you know when you're being contacted genuinely by HMRC or one of their partners?

Here is a link to HMRC's current research contacts, acting on their behalf via email and telephone.

If you think you've been affected by a scam, go to National Trading Standard's Friends Against Scams page for further information on where to go for help and support.

Scam email

All About Childcare and Education

Child Online Safety

If you're a parent or carer and want to know the latest about nurseries, childminders, schools and colleges, then you will find this one stop information point for childcare and education really useful.

Whether your child is currently in school or not, it's important to keep them safe online. With children spending more time online to do schoolwork and other activities, there could be an additional risk in relation to online safety. Here you'll find many useful resources to help you do this.

If your child goes to a holiday club or out-of-school setting, there are some handy questions and answers here on what you can expect to make sure your child is safe.


Local Outbreak Management Plan

Covid Face Mask

New measures to contain and reduce cases of coronavirus in Devon and safeguard the health of local people have been revealed.

They detail plans to provide a fast response to any future outbreaks of the virus across the county and help prevent it spreading.

The plans involve close partnership working between local organisations and alongside businesses and key industries such as tourism. Read more from Devon County Council here.


Theory and Driving Tests Restart

Theory Tests

If you've been waiting patiently for theory tests to resume, then you're in luck as they restart tomorrow, Saturday 4 July.

Social distancing measures and precautions are in place at test centres. You need to go alone for the test and wear a face covering, unless you have a good reason why you can't.

Driving test

If you have been waiting for a car driving test, they restart on Wednesday 22 July but only for people who have had a driving test cancelled because of coronavirus. You cannot currently book a new test if you didn't already have one booked before lockdown.

As with the theory test, safety precautions are in place and a face covering is required to be worn, where possible.

Check any new date you have been sent to rearrange your driving test appointment as the date you were given may not go ahead. The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) will email you again soon to choose a new date.

For more detailed information, click here.


Hand Sanitisers Are Not a Fire Risk

Hand Sanitiser

You may have heard claims on the news that hand sanitisers left in vehicles can cause a fire risk.

National Fire Chiefs want to reassure everyone that these will not combust if left in cars, even when the temperatures are very high.

Advice is to keep bottles closed and kept in the boot or in the glove box and out of direct sunlight, to avoid being magnified by the sun, but please continue to use these as they are very important in the fight against the virus.