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Coronavirus (Covid-19) update - 30 April 2021
Please find below our latest Coronavirus (Covid-19) update for East Devon residents and businesses with information we hope will be of interest to you.
In this issue...
- Enjoy the bank holiday outside and stay safe
- Vote safely in the local elections next week
- Feel naturally healthier and happier this May
- Bluebell Week is in full swing
Enjoy the bank holiday outside and stay safe
With a long bank holiday weekend ahead of us, we are urging everyone to stay safe and continue to follow the COVID-19 restrictions while enjoying more of the freedoms we have missed during lockdown.
Please remember you can only meet up with friends and family you do not live with outdoors for now, either in groups of up to six from any number of households or a group of any size from just two households. And remember you still need to keep your distance from each other.
It's tempting, when the sun goes in, to move indoors, but the risk of spreading coronavirus is significantly higher inside because you're closer to each other and there's less fresh air to disperse infected particles.
We have done well to maintain low case numbers here in Devon, despite the gradual easing of restrictions over the past few weeks, and we still have one of the lowest rates in the country.
But we are seeing a small increase in minor outbreaks across a number of settings, including workplaces, schools and care homes, so it's really important we stay cautious, follow the rules and all take part in regular testing to help identify positive cases as soon as possible to stop the virus spreading.
Please don't get complacent this weekend, and remember the rules still apply even if you have had your vaccination. The pandemic isn't over just yet. It feels like the end is in sight, but there's still a risk of coronavirus in our communities and we must all do our bit to help keep everyone safe.
Vote safely in the local elections next week
The coronavirus pandemic has stopped us doing a lot of things over the last year, but it won't stop you from being able to vote in the local elections on Thursday 6 May.
Voting in person at a polling station will be a bit different this year in order to help keep everyone safe:
- A face covering – you will need to wear a face covering when you go in to the polling station, unless you are exempt.
- Hand sanitiser – this will be available at the entrance/exit of polling stations. Make sure that you use it before and after you cast your vote.
- Your own pen or pencil – it is advisable to bring your own pen or pencil this year. Don't worry, if you forget there will be clean pencils available.
- Keep your distance – social distancing measures will be in place and will be well signposted. It might mean that you have to queue so please factor this in to your plans and leave extra time.
If you are experiencing any symptoms of coronavirus, or have been asked to self-isolate, please don’t put others at risk by going to a polling station to vote in person. You can nominate an emergency proxy (someone you trust to cast your vote for you) until 5.00pm on polling day.
You can find out more about these elections including the list of candidates standing for Devon County Council, the Police and Crime Commissioner, district, town and parish council by-elections by visiting our website.
Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm.
Join the millions already vaccinated against Covid-19
People aged 42 years old and over are now able to book their COVID-19 vaccine. Those who are due to turn 42 years old by Thursday 1 July are also eligible to make an appointment under the latest extension of the vaccine roll out.
The COVID-19 vaccine is safe and effective. It gives you the best protection against becoming seriously ill if you catch coronavirus, so please take the jab when it's offered.
You do not need to wait to be contacted by the NHS, you can book your vaccination appointments via the National Booking Service online or by calling 119 free of charge.
You can speak to a translator if you need to, or if you have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, you can use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service.
Every vaccination gives us hope. When it’s your turn, join the millions already vaccinated, to protect yourself and others.
Feel naturally healthier and happier this May
Living through the coronavirus pandemic over the last year has had a huge impact on all our lives, so looking after our physical and mental health is more important than ever.
It's been clinically proven that being in a natural environment and connecting actively with nature is good for us.
Devon’s Naturally Healthy May campaign is all about harnessing the power of nature and physical activity to improve our health and wellbeing.
With all the joys of spring, May is a wonderful month to head outside and enjoy some fresh air, so why not take some time over the next few weeks, even if it’s just ten minutes, to invest in yourself and connect actively with nature.
It’s all part of Devon’s Naturally Healthy initiative, which brings together a wide range of partners from health, wellbeing, community and environment sectors to encourage Devonians to be happier and healthier through increased connection to nature.
Throughout May the Devon Local Nature Partnership will be sharing information about being naturally healthy and encouraging people to get outside safely for a walk, a cycle, some gardening, wild swimming, bird watching or other activity.
Keep an eye on social media @activedevon @Devon_LNP, and use the hashtags #NaturallyHealthy #DevonCAN to inspire others to join in. You can also check out the Devon-wide activity finder to see what’s happening in your local area, and the Natural Devon website for more naturally healthy information and opportunities.
Restart Grants are now available for businesses as the economy starts to re-open in line with Government’s roadmap.
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The new Restart Grant is a sector-based grant which is different from the Local Restrictions Support Grants (LRSG) – it could pay between £2,667 to £18,000 to eligible businesses.
Please check the details and find out if you are eligible at eastdevon.gov.uk/business-grants.
Every claim is checked and verified and any fraudulent claims will be subject to legal action.
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Be kind to shop workers
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With the reopening of shops last week a campaign has been launched urging people to ShopKind.
The campaign recognises the important role of shop workers, highlights the scale and impact of violence and abuse against them and encourages positive behaviour in shops.
So if shopping takes longer than normal because of Covid restrictions, don’t take your frustration out on shop workers but please be patient and shop safely.
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If you want to stay up to date with the latest news about grants for East Devon businesses, or other news about business opportunities, funding and training, you must subscribe to East Devon Business news
Our latest news headlines and newsletters
Dates of next East Devon virtual council meetings
Over the next fortnight the following East Devon District Council virtual meetings are taking place
Wednesday, 5 May
Wednesday, 12 May
The meetings can all be viewed on our YouTube channel by searching for 'East Devon District Council' or by subscribing.
Agendas
Latest blog by LED: Covid safety a top priority
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LED are incredibly pleased to welcome back many of our members to our gyms, swimming pools, courts and halls from Monday 12th April. It is amazing to see our customers back working towards their health and fitness goals safely in accordance with guidelines from industry body UK Active.
We appreciate some members may have reservations about returning to our centres due to safety concerns. In this blog, we would like to assure these members and the wider public that leisure centres are safe whilst providing a reminder of the measures we have put in place.
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Read More
Remember all collections of recycling, refuse and green waste are ONE day late next week
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Due to the May bank holiday on Monday 3 May, all recycling and waste collections will be one day later next week.
Download the East Devon app for notifications of your collections day or visit our website
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We are approaching two milestones with our green waste collections.
The third anniversary of the launch of the collections will be on 14 May, this also coincides with us reaching 16,000 active subscriptions!
Since its launch, we have been able to kept the price to £48/year to give the best value for money, while still covering the costs.
All the green waste collected is composted at an East Devon site and the end product is used as an organic soil conditioner by East Devon farms so it does not travel very far – this is part of our local green economy with green material from households helping create ‘green’ agriculture as it reduced the need for artificial fertilisers
The composting process is a natural one which just uses the power of nature
Residents say they find it very convenient as it saves trips to and queuing at household recycling centres and man-handling bulky green waste in and out of cars.
Find out more by visiting our website
Thelma Hulbert Gallery will reopen on 20 May
Photo credit:Soft Drinks Bottles Grid x 15, Môr Plastig, Pembrokeshire, Wales 2012 © Mike Perry
Mike Perry Land/Sea (multi-site exhibition)
Major solo exhibition of the work of artist Mike Perry spearheading East Devon’s new climate campaign - Climate Conversations. Perry collects and photographs plastic objects, such as bottles, washed up on our beaches focussing our attention on the growing environmental crisis and plastic pollution.
20 May – 14 August 2021
- Thelma Hulbert Gallery
- Thursday - Saturday, 10am - 5pm
8 June – 14 August 2021
- Ocean, Queen’s Drive, Exmouth
- Monday - Sunday, 10am - 5pm
Bluebell Week in full swing
Wild East Devon’s week of spring celebrations continues all week with more guided walks and spring craft sessions happening this weekend.
Check out @wildeastdevon on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for spring videos, nature reserve management insights and more, including Ranger James explaining the advantages of natural regeneration vs tree planting.
If you’d like to join Ranger Jon for a Guided Walk of Knapp Copse near Honiton, we have one space left for a household group on Saturday afternoon, book here.
To join our Education Ranger Penny for an hour of outdoor family fun at Seaton Wetlands, book on to a Spring Crafts session this Sunday, only 2 slots left! Book here for 1.30pm and here for 3pm.
Watch our video here: Bluebell Week: Do we do Tree Planting at Holyford Woods? - YouTube
To keep in touch with the Wild East Devon Team follow them on Facebook and Twitter
111 - the first port of call for all urgent medical advice
Doctors are reminding people this bank holiday weekend that if you need urgent medical advice, there’s just one telephone number to remember – 111.
By contacting 111 first, either online or by phone, people will get quicker and safer access to NHS services when they need urgent care. Those who need emergency medical care from a hospital Emergency Department (also known as A&E) will be given direct access to the department.
If the issue would be better dealt with in a Minor Injury Unit, GP surgery or other urgent care site, patients will be booked in directly. This will ensure that people get to the right place for treatment quickly and should reduce waiting times.
By contacting 111 first, people will not only be treated more quickly, but the number of unnecessary visits to some of the region’s busiest healthcare facilities will also be reduced – taking pressure off local services and ensuring social distancing measures are applied.
Many minor conditions and symptoms can be managed at home without seeking further advice. Visit the NHS website www.nhs.uk for a complete guide to conditions, symptoms and treatments, including what to do and when to get help.
Mental health support: anyone experiencing a mental health crisis no longer needs to visit an Emergency Department for advice. To contact Devon's 24/7 First Response Service call 0808 196 8708.
Pharmacy: find your nearest open pharmacy whose staff will be able to help in treating minor illnesses such as coughs, colds, stomach upsets and aches and pains.
Dental: if you need urgent dental treatment this bank holiday call your dentist, or use the NHS 111 online service.
Trusted sources of advice and information
Please make sure that you only follow advice from trusted, official sources:
Next edition
We plan to send out our next bulletin on Friday 14 May 2021.
Please forward this email to anyone you think would find it useful and encourage them to sign up.
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