We all have a part to play in keeping West Sussex Safe as we learn to live with Covid-19.
The Director of Public Health in West Sussex, Alison Challenger, this week issued a joint message alongside her counterparts from East Sussex and Brighton & Hove, reminding us all that we share a responsibility to protect ourselves, our loved ones, communities and colleagues.
Although most restrictions have been lifted, infection rates continue to increase and are likely to keep rising in the coming weeks.
Our Covid-19 data dashboard has been updated to bring more information to you. We now also summarise vaccinations and hospital admission data across the region.
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Face coverings
While legal limits on social contact have been removed and restrictions on large events like weddings and performances have been lifted, we should keep washing our hands frequently, practicing social distancing when possible and letting fresh air into our homes and workplaces.
There is an expectation and recommendation that we will continue to wear face coverings in crowded public spaces. This includes when we use public transport and go shopping.
We are asking anyone visiting county council buildings to wear face coverings as a precaution. This includes guests at marriages and civil partnerships at our ceremony rooms. We ask that guests wear face coverings while in the building, but they can be removed once seated in the ceremony.
Our libraries will also continue to have a number of measures in place to ensure the safety of our staff, customers, volunteers and those visiting the library building. This includes wearing face coverings during your visit. We want everyone to feel safe in our libraries, in particular those who are vulnerable.
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Keep testing and self-isolate
If you are symptom-free, test twice a week with the free rapid Lateral Flow Tests. If you test positive or develop symptoms you must self-isolate and take a follow up PCR test. For more information and to order your free test kit click here.
Around 1 in 3 people with Covid-19 don’t have symptoms but can still infect others.
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Visiting care homes
Care home residents can now nominate unlimited named guests for regular visits.
If you are planning a visit to a loved one, family member or friend living in a care home, we recommend you follow the latest government guidance. By doing so, you’ll be helping to keep residents, staff, and yourself safe.
When offered your vaccination, get both first and second doses. It’s still the best defence against the coronavirus including new variants.
For more details and how to book online click here.
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The temperatures have been soaring this week and for many it’s welcome after weeks of wintry weather in West Sussex.
The Met Office has issued a Level 3 - Heatwave Action Alert to end at 9:00am tomorrow (23 July).
But hot weather can detrimentally affect some people’s health, especially the elderly, the very young, and people with pre-existing medical conditions.
If you know or look after someone that may be susceptible to the effects of this hot weather please help make sure they stay cool and well this summer.
Find out more about how to stay cool and healthy in hot weather on the link below, where you can also sign up to receive our severe weather email alerts.
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Have your say on the future shape of transport in West Sussex.
The West Sussex Transport Plan (WSTP) is being reviewed to set out the county council’s approach to managing and investing in the transport network from 2022 to 2036. Take part here.
Anyone without internet access, or wanting more information about the consultation, can phone 01243 642105, leaving their name, telephone number/email address and interest (for example, whether you are a resident, business owner, transport operator and so on) or email ltp@westsussex.gov.uk.
The consultation runs until Friday 8 October 2021.
Here are some other transport-related consultations you can take part in:
Click on the 'Find Out More' button below to see all live consultations.
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Learn ways to help keep your family, friends and yourself safe from scams at a free webinar.
More than ever before, we have been relying on technology to enable us to work, learn and connect with each other. Inevitably, criminals have exploited and used our increased digital lives to their advantage.
The pandemic has seen a rise in scams including telephone, courier and romance fraud which have all become an increased concern in West Sussex. Not only is there the financial impact on victims but the emotional impact can be even more significant.
To help raise awareness of these different types of scams, how to spot them, and what to do if you or your family become a victim, the West Sussex Community Safety & Wellbeing Team alongside Trading Standards are running free monthly scams awareness webinars which you can attend:
Tue, 27 July 2021: 10:00 – 11:30am - book here.
Tue, 27 July 2021: 6:00 – 7:30pm - book here.
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Avoid the dreaded ‘I’m bored!’ by signing your children up to the free Summer Reading Challenge and they’ll soon be absorbed in the wonderful world of books.
This year’s Challenge theme is 'Wild World Heroes', which is all about what we can do to look after our planet.
Children read library books of their choice and there are exclusive goodies to collect and activities to complete.
You can register online first then head on down to your local library any time over the summer to collect your Challenge pack. Each pack contains a pull-out poster of Wilderville, three sets of scratch & sniff stickers, a fortune teller or bookmark, plus activity sheets from the Reading Agency.
There is also a Mini Challenge for pre-school children. Ask staff and volunteers in your library to find out more.
The challenge finishes on Saturday 11 September, so you must pop in to collect your medal and certificate by this date.
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It’s the end of the school term this week – but there’s plenty of things to see and do for everyone whatever your age in West Sussex this summer.
Even if you’ve lived in the county all your life – we bet there’s some places you’ve never visited!
Whether you’re planning a visit to the coast, the countryside, or town centres, take a look at our Experience West Sussex website for inspiration.
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If anyone you know who would like to sign up for this bulletin, please forward this eNewsletter to them and they can sign up here. Thank you for your support.
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