COVID-19 Update
Page last updated 6th January 2021
We are regularly updating this page to provide you with links to help and advice for individuals and businesses in Somerset.
COVID-19 – New National lockdown: Stay at Home 4th January 2021. Find out what rules are now in place HERE.
Somerset Vaccination programme the latest information about priority groups, locations can be found HERE.
CCS Agent Response Call Back
CCS Village, Community and Carers Agents provide confidential, practical community-based solutions for people, wherever they are in Somerset. During this COVID-19 emergency, our CCS Agents are still providing their regular service via telephone or email, and are a key point of contact within the community – especially if you do not know who to turn to.
Contact your local agent by clicking here, complete the very short form and a member of the team will be in touch.
Somerset Coronavirus helpline
The helpline is available from 8am to 6pm every day, including weekends making it easier for you to access any local authority help you may need, including emotional support, in the current crisis.
Call 0300 790 6275
If you are deaf, hard of hearing or speech-impaired you can contact the helpline using SMS text: 07781 482858
Continue to use the 111 NHS online service for medical advice and only ring 111 if you can’t get help online.
Talking Cafés
Talking Cafés provide free help and support from the comfort of your own home through a Facebook Live stream. Go to www.facebook.com/talkingcafesomerset to set a reminder to listen in and take part!
National advice and information
You can find all the latest national Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance and supportonGOV.UK
Shielding & clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) advice:
Clinically extremely vulnerable people are advised to stay at home as much as possible. They may still go outdoors carefully to exercise or to attend health appointments. CEV individuals are strongly advised to work from home if they can. If they cannot work from home, then they should not attend work. Individuals may be eligible for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (furlough).
Click here for the full shielding governmentguidance
COVID-19 Translated
For all current COVID-19 information translated and Somerset-based information CLICK HERE
Protect yourself and others
Stay at home if you think you have coronavirus (self isolating)
Staying alert and safe (social distancing)
Stay alert: what you can and can’t do
Meeting people from outside your household
Staying safe outside your home
Advice on accessing green spaces safely
How to protect clinically extremely vulnerable people (shielding)
Safer travel – Walking, cycling, and travelling in vehicles or on public transport during the coronavirus outbreak.
Face coverings on First Bus service – If you, or someone you care for have aface covering exemptionand you are unable to wear a face covering please be prepared to inform the bus driver and show an Extra help to Travel card (Journey assistance card). You candownload the card here.
Health and wellbeing
NHS – Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus
NHS Health at home – How to access NHS services online
NHS test and trace: how it works
Getting tested – guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test and how to get tested.
NHS Live Well – Advice, tips and tools to help you make the best choices about your health and wellbeing.
Every Mind Matters – Looking after your mental health
GOV.UK – Guidance on looking after your mental health and wellbeing
Coronavirus: How to help safely
How to get food and other essential supplies if you are clinically extremely vulnerable
Support for victims of domestic abuse
Guidance on visiting people in Care Homes
Support if someone dies
Support for the bereaved – Information to help bereaved families, friends or next of kin make important decisions during the COVID-19 pandemic.
NHS bereavement advice and support during coronavirus
Work and Financial Support
Find out what you can do if you’re struggling because of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Getting financial help and staying safe at work – Get coronavirus (COVID-19) support if you are working less or not working – and find out how to stay safe at work.
Businesses and self-employed people
All coronavirus business support information on GOV.UK – getting financial help and keeping your business safe
Working safely during coronavirus –Guidance to help employers, employees and the self-employed understand how to work safely during the coronavirus pandemic.
Information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses – The latest information for farmers, landowners and rural businesses during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
School openings, education and childcare
All coronavirus education and childcare information on GOV.UK– Guidance for teachers, school leaders, carers, parents and students.
Schools, parents and young people helpline –The Department for Education (DfE) has set up a dedicated helpline for schools, parents or young people. Available Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm, phone 0800 046 8687 or email DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Village Halls and Community Buildings
ACRE – Action with Communities in Rural England has issuedinformationfor community buildings to help them understand the implications of the new nationwide lockdown restrictions which came into force on November 5th. All halls are required to close their doors, but a few uses will still be allowed. Theseinclude education, childcare, and work purposes, providing food and essential retail activities, and host organised support groups offering mutual aid or therapy.
You can download the information sheethere. Updated 06.11.20
The latest Government advice – COVID-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities can be downloaded HERE
Local advice and guidance
Age UK Somerset – Support for older people, their families and carers
Somerset Community Connect – Information on care, health and wellbeing for adults.
Somerset Survivors – Domestic abuse help and advice
Somerset’s Local Offer – Information and advice for parents, carers and families including children and young people with special educational needs.
Mind in Somerset – You can phone the Mindline Somerset Coronavirus support helpline on01823 276892(Open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Healthy Somerset – Health and wellbeing in Somerset
Spark Somerset – Supporting Somerset volunteer communities to respond to COVID-19, sharing the latest information, best practice guidance for groups and useful resources.
Corona Helpers – Register your COVID-19 volunteer group, find more people to help and offer help.
Somerset Prepared is a multi-agency partnership working closely with communities to deliver advice, support and training to help enhance local resilience to emergencies.
COVID-19 Response for Gypsy, Traveller and Roma communities in Somerset
Travel Somerset has the latest updates transport and travel updates.
Somerset Waste Partnership – Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Advice and service updates
Somerset Activity and Sport Partnership (SASP) has set up a Be Active at Home web page which is divided into sections to show activities for all.
Devon and Somerset Trading Standards – Provides advice and support to businesses, works to protect consumers and the economy by ensuring legal and honest trading. They also support the agriculture industry to ensure good animal health and welfare.
Links to District Council information and advice
Mendip District Council
Sedgemoor District Council
South Somerset District Council
Somerset West and Taunton
Social Media
The following Twitter accounts will be regularly posting the latest factual advice and information related to COVID-19:
UK Government (@GOVUK)
Public Health England (@PHE_UK)
Department of Health and Social Care (@DHSCgovuk)
Somerset County Council (@SomersetCouncil)
NHS England (@NHSEngland) – the NHS advises to only trust NHS organisations on Twitter that are ‘blue-tick verified’
Avon and Somerset Police (@ASPolice)
Devon and Somerset Fire and Rescue Service (DSFireUpdates)
Somerset Clinical Commissioning Group (@somersetccg)