The new COVID-19 App is now live and available to download. It's free and it is hoped that it will stop the spread of coronavirus. You can download the app here.

The benefit  is that it will help quickly trace people you may have been in contact with who have tested positive for coronavirus. That way, you can be advised to self-isolate and reduce the risk of infection to others. 

You'll get an alert if you've visited a place where you've had contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus because it records the places you visit, like pubs, restaurants, cafes, tourist attractions, hairdressers, places of worship, libraries or village halls. 

All of these places now have to legally collect contact details from customers either using a QR code for use with smartphones, or by writing down your details if you don't.

You can find out more about the app here.

Help us to stop green waste fly-tipped by checking the credentials of doorstep conmen trying to take away green waste.

Households in the South Hams, particularly near Plymouth, are being asked to quiz people knocking on their doors and offering to take their rubbish away.

Waste carriers, like other licensed trades, are required to register and operate in line with a set of rules that protect the environment and their customers. These rules include disposing of waste in the right place, storing it safely and keeping accurate records of transfer and disposal. 

Find out more on what to do here.

There are just days left for green-fingered children across the South Hams to take part in a creative challenge 'Let's Spread Some Sunshine' - a colourful competition launched by FCC Environment.

Have your children grown some sunflowers for the competition? If so, send the photos in before the competition closes on the 30 September.

Read on here.

Due to the COVID alert rising to Level 4 this week, the Prime Minister has introduced some new measures which include:

• Work from home wherever possible: Office workers who can work effectively from home should do so over the winter. If you cannot work from home, you should go to your place of work. The risk of transmission can be substantially reduced if COVID-19 secure guidelines are followed closely. Extra consideration should be given to those people at higher risk.
• Hospitality: All pubs, bars and restaurants are now table service only and must close at 10pm. This will include takeaways but delivery services can continue after 10pm.
• Businesses: All businesses need to display the official NHS QR code posters so that customers can ‘check-in’ at different premises using this option as an alternative to providing their contact details once the app is rolled out nationally. Businesses must remind people to wear face coverings. In retail, leisure, tourism and other sectors, the guidelines will become law. Businesses will be fined and possibly closed if they breach rules.
• Face coverings: You need to wear a face covering if you work in retail, in taxis and private hire vehicles, everyone within indoor hospitality, except when eating or drinking.
• Gatherings: From Monday (28 September) only 15 people can attend weddings and civil partnerships. Funerals remain at 30 people. Indoor sports can only be in groups of less than six - from Monday. 
• Penalties: The penalty for not wearing a mask or for gathering in  more than six people will rise to £200 for the first offence.
• Shielding: Shielding is not currently required, but the government is keeping this under constant review.

What is new can be found here on the government's website.

If you think you may have COVID-19, please remember, you only need to get a test if you have the following symptoms or have been asked by a medical professional to get one.

You must get test if you have:

• A high temperature
• A new, continuous cough
• Loss or change in sense of smell or taste

Visit the NHS website for more information and to book a free test.