If anyone is sleeping rough in the area a member of the public can report it on https://www.streetlink.org.uk/

Wiltshire Council has a dedicated team who can help people and the following leaflet has more information:

Download (PDF, 744KB)

COVID-19 UPDATE – Friday 16 October 2020

Please find below the latest update regarding COVID-19 and other Wiltshire Council matters. 

On Monday 12 October, the Prime Minister made a statement to the House of Commons on the response to the coronavirus pandemic, in which he set out a new three-tiered system of local COVID Alert Levels in England – set at medium, high, and very high.

The new system will see different parts of the country placed under varying restrictions depending on their rates of infection. The government has published information on local COVID alert levels, including what they mean, why they are being introduced and what the different levels are.

The restrictions in each tier are:

Medium

• Follow the rule of six if meeting indoors or outdoors
• Pubs and restaurants to shut at 10pm

High

• No household mixing indoors
• Rule of six will apply outdoors
• Pubs and restaurants to shut at 10pm

Very High

• No household mixing indoors or outdoors in hospitality venues or private gardens
• Rule of six applies in outdoor public spaces like parks
• Pubs and bars not serving meals will be closed
• Guidance against travelling in and out of the area
• Further measures which may be agreed locally

The Government has also made available an interactive map, which allows people to browse data for specific areas within the UK. The map displays weekly data including seven-day case rates and direction of change.

What tier is Wiltshire in?

Wiltshire is currently in the medium (lowest) tier of the COVID-19 alert levels. This means current restrictions will stay the same.

Some posters about the medium alert level are attached for your information and use.

What is the council doing?

The council’s top priority remains the same – to continue to support Wiltshire residents and businesses through this pandemic so that the county emerges as strong as possible when we reach the other side.

We have focussed our resources and way of working to give us the best possible opportunity of achieving this.

What should Wiltshire residents do?

Although local COVID-19 cases are rising, the spread of the virus locally is still comparatively low in Wiltshire. However, we must all play our part and not be complacent as we’ve seen in other areas how quickly the situation can change for the worse. That means keeping washing hands, wearing face coverings where required and socially distancing.

People must self-isolate when told to so, and this is now a legal requirement.

You should self-isolate if:

• you develop symptoms
• you have tested positive for COVID-19
• someone in your support bubble has symptoms or tested positive
• you’re told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace or the NHS COVID-19 app.
• you arrive in the UK from a country with a high COVID-19 risk

Stay up to date with GOV-UK COVID-19 guidance and advice

All the latest guidance and advice published by government can be sent directly to you by clicking the following link:  GOV.UK COVID-19 updates.

Remembrance Day events

Yesterday (Thursday 15 October), the government published guidance on holding Remembrance Day events, including new legal requirements  on how to ensure those hosting local Remembrance events can do so safely.

The guidance (applicable across all local COVID alert levels) and includes information on:

• Who can organise a Remembrance Day event?
• What can a Remembrance Day event involve?
• Who can attend a Remembrance Day event?
• Communal worship – Remembrance Sunday services

Remembrance Day event organisers must take reasonable steps to record the contact details of those attending (including those present in a working capacity, and members of the public who stop to spectate).

Event organisers must keep a temporary record of attendees for 21 days, in a way that is manageable, and assist NHS Test and Trace with requests for that data if needed. This could help contain clusters or outbreaks.

Further details can be found in the current Test and Trace guidance.

Many organisations already have systems for recording their attendees. You can find details of how to maintain records. There is also an NHS App which can be used to log in attendees.

Please note the legal requirement on recording contact details does not extend to Places of Worship, however it is strongly advised that recording is put in place where possible. 

Covid-19 Schools update

Precautionary COVID-19 measures taken at schools in Wiltshire

Following advice from public health professionals, 18 education settings including independent and boarding schools in Wiltshire, are currently taking precautionary COVID-19 measures due to positive cases being confirmed in their settings.  This information is correct as at 9.00am on 16 October.

Whilst the number of positive cases are very low in each setting, a total of 1,092 pupils are currently being asked to self-isolate to ensure any risk of transmission is kept as low as possible. The self-isolation of the pupils is very precautionary to minimise any risk to others and to reduce onward transmission of the virus.

The schools are working closely with the Public Health team at Wiltshire Council to ensure high standards of hygiene and social distancing are maintained and all the necessary measures are in place.

All school pupils currently self-isolating are continuing their learning at home during this time.

Scheme to financially support people on low income who have to self-isolate

There is now financial support available to people on a low income who are required to self-isolate due to COVID-19.

The Government’s COVID-19 Test and Trace Support Payment scheme is now live and people may be eligible if they are required to self-isolate because of COVID-19, are on a low income, and will lose money because they cannot work.

The scheme is locally administered by Wiltshire Council and can provide qualifying people with a lump sum of £500.

For more information and to apply

People should visit www.wiltshire.gov.uk/benefits-test-and-trace or call 0300 456 0110. People can also email benefits@wiltshire.gov.uk for more information.

Help us, Help you’ Public Health campaign

NHS England and Public Health England has launched the ‘Help Us, Help You’ campaign.

The campaign, which is targeted at all patients but especially aimed at cancer patients and pregnant women, will seek to address barriers that are deterring patients from accessing NHS services and encourage the public to contact their GP if they are worried about any symptom.

The NHS has introduced a range of measures to ensure the safety of patients, including COVID-secure wards. The campaign will urge patients to keep routine appointments, even if coronavirus hospitalisations increase, and reassure patients that they can receive medical care safely.

Library Service update

Five more libraries will reopen in Wiltshire over the next three weeks. These libraries will be fully reopened for people to browse for up to 30 minutes, to select and loan books and book a computer for up to 45 minutes.

Wiltshire Council has worked closely with the library service volunteers to enable these libraries to re-open sessions operated as usual by staff and some by volunteers.

The libraries will reopen on:

• Pewsey – Tuesday 27 October
• Wilton – Thursday 29 October
• Mere – Friday 30 October
• Cricklade – Tuesday 3 November
• Downton – Friday 6 November

Here’s the key information customers need to know:

• Loan items continue to be renewed automatically, currently to the end of October, so there is no rush to return items
• People can attend one of these libraries and browse for up to 30 minutes
• People are advised to be sensible and not pick up and put back lots of books
• Social distancing measures will be in place, with clear signage
• Customers and staff are asked to wear face coverings
• Hand sanitiser will be available at each library
• Depending on how many people are using the library, people may have to queue outside upon arrival
• Computers in the libraries can be used for 45 minutes, but people must book them in advance. They can be booked by phoning the relevant library during their opening hours
• People should bring their library cards
• Returned books will be stored for 72 hours before being put back on shelves. You will not incur fines as a result of the short delay.
• Screens will be in place at main customer service desk
• People will be asked to provide contact details as part of the COVID-19 test and trace system. Details will be handled in accordance with GDPR law

Mobile libraries also returning

The mobile libraries providing services to rural areas and residential homes will also be hitting the road again from Tuesday 20 October.

Having looked carefully at how to operate mobile libraries during the COVID-19 pandemic, they will re-open with the following measures to help keep people safe:

• Social distancing measures are in place, with clear signage
• Only one customer at a time can access the mobile library. Depending on whether someone is already using the library, you may have to queue outside upon arrival
• Browsing will be limited to five minutes if other customers are waiting. People are advised to be sensible and not pick up and put back lots of books
• Customers and staff are asked to wear face coverings
• Hand sanitiser is available on entering the mobile library
• People should bring their library cards
• Returned books will be stored for 72 hours before being taken off their account and put back on the shelves. People will not incur fines as a result of the short delay
• Screens will be in place at the customer service desks
• People will be asked to provide contact details as part of the COVID-19 test and trace system. Details will be handled in accordance with GDPR laws

The mobile library timetables are available on the council’s website at https://services.wiltshire.gov.uk/MobileLibrary/

Some minor alterations to the mobile library timetables such as adjustments to the arrival/departure times at some stops may be necessary to accommodate new procedures. Customers at affected stops will be notified.

Autumn holiday childcare and activities for 5 to 12 year olds now available

Parents looking for childcare and activities during the Autumn half term for their 5 to12-year olds can now find a wealth of opportunities on the Wiltshire Council website: https://www.wiltshire.gov.uk/school-holiday-activities-provision.

Wiltshire Council has asked local providers to send details of their activities including charges, venues and dates to help parents plan how to keep children busy during the Autumn holiday.

The resource has been developed to support those families with vulnerable children and children of key workers who may need to organise additional childcare during the holiday.

The list of activities is online, and people are encouraged to check in regularly as the information will be constantly updated as new providers finalise details of their activities.

Wiltshire Council has also asked all providers to ensure they have the necessary protocols and checks in place including procedures that enable them to adhere to the latest government guidance on social distancing. Parents are reminded to always thoroughly research any childcare provision themselves before booking places for their children.

Families are advised to keep up to date with latest government guidance as they plan their half term holidays.

Organisations who wish to be part of the listing can contact karen.linaker@wiltshire.gov.uk for advice on how to get their activities added.

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall visits Wiltshire Council

Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cornwall visited Wiltshire Council on Monday 12 October to thank staff for their work to support the COVID-19 response.

The visit, hosted by Wiltshire Council Chief Executive Terence Herbert, at County Hall, Trowbridge, highlighted the integral role of the council during the local response to the Coronavirus pandemic, including the successful partnership working with education and healthcare providers community groups and public sector partners.

Update from Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service

Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service has produced a short video which summarises some of the major incidents they have attended and the good work being achieved across all of its departments over the last quarter.

Here is a link to the latest video: https://youtu.be/lvGQnREW9zE

Download (PDF, 39KB)

Download (PDF, 31KB)