Coronavirus update 26 August 2021
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A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
Firstly, thank you to Becky Reynolds our Director of Public Health for standing in for me last week and for the contribution that Becky and her colleagues continue to make to our safety and wellbeing.
I am sure you will have seen that the Covid case numbers are increasing again. Whilst this is in line with what is happening nationally, it shows ‒ as we have learned the hard way during this pandemic ‒ that things can change very quickly and we have to be ready to react and adapt.
One message remains clear: please take up the offer of both doses of the vaccine. As you know, 16 and 17-year-olds are now eligible and we also need to redouble our efforts to ensure those over 18 get jabbed, too. This useful web page gives you more information on walk-in vaccination clinics.
As we get back to doing some of the things we have missed during the pandemic I am looking forward to working more closely with communities and giving people a bigger say. We have recently held Area Forums for the Bathavon, Chew Valley and Keynsham areas, which can be viewed on our Youtube Channel, with Somer Valley meeting soon too. I am also very much looking forward to the inaugural meeting of the new Bath Area Forum which will take place on Tuesday 31 August.
The thing that has had most impact for me in recent weeks has been the heart-breaking situation unfolding in Afghanistan. In response, I announced that the council stands ready to work with the Government to resettle Afghan refugees. This work has now started and we will provide updates on this as soon as we have more information.
I am extremely proud of our successful programme to resettle Syrian refugees and we want to offer a safe haven to vulnerable Afghan refugees in the same way. We have excellent partners such as Bath Welcomes Refugees and Julian House, who provide a level of support that is second-to-none.
We would also like to thank everyone who has offered help so far. We particularly need suitable accommodation so please contact us at equality@bathnes.gov.uk if you can help with this.
To find out more about how you can help Bath Welcomes Refugees with their work ‒ whether that’s through donations or helping with fundraising, you can sign up as a member (it’s free) on their website.
Have a good weekend. |
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| These are the latest Covid case figures for B&NES – please play your part to drive the number down. |
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16 and 17-year-olds now eligible for vaccine
Walk-in clinics are now available for 16 and 17-year-olds at Bath Racecourse on non-race days. You don't need to book, but please check for when events are being held. Doses of both Pfizer and AstraZeneca are available. And First bus is continuing to offer free journeys for anyone travelling to the Racecourse to get vaccinated.
For other walk-in vaccine clinics, check the Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group website.
The website also has more information on the vaccine rollout, and details of all local health and care services. |
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Self-isolation removed for double jabbed close contacts
Don't forget, adults and children who are double jabbed no longer need to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive case. Instead, those identified as close contacts of positive Covid-19 cases are advised to get a free PCR test as soon as possible.
If you have symptoms, you must take a PCR test and then isolate until you receive your test result. Call 119 or visit here to book a test. Find out about Covid-19 symptoms here.
Appointments at PCR test sites are refreshed throughout the day so please try again if you haven't been successful in booking on your first attempt.
You can also order a home test kit to be delivered to your home. There's more information about claiming financial support if you've been asked to self-isolate here. |
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Check out our mobile testing van
Our bright green mobile testing van will be out across the district offering supervised lateral flow testing for those without symptoms and Covid-19 test kits. Below is where we'll be heading this week. All times 9am-5pm unless stated.
- Saturday 28 August: South Road car park, Midsomer Norton
- Sunday 29 August: Guildhall Car Park, Bath
- Monday 30 August: Morrison's, London Road, Bath
- Tuesday 31 August: Dragonfly Leisure Centre, Radstock (9am-1pm), Purnell Sports Club, Paulton (1-5pm)
- Wednesday 1 September: Brassmill Lane, Bath (9am-1pm), Weston Village High Street, Bath (1-5pm)
- Thursday 2 September: Beacon Village Hall, Peasedown St John
- Friday 3 September: Dartmouth Avenue, Bath (9am-1pm), Bath City Farm (1-5pm)
- Saturday 4 September: South Road Car Park, Midsomer Norton
- Sunday 5 September: Temple Cloud Village Hall (9am-1pm), The Pelican Car Park, Chew Magna (1-5pm)
You can find out full details about where it's going and when ahead of time by visiting the council website. No booking necessary – just turn up and have a supervised test or collect LFTs to take home. Trained outreach workers will be aboard the van, so people can also ask any questions about testing, support to self-isolate, vaccination or other COVID-19 queries.
You can also pick up test kits from our libraries in: Timsbury, Radstock, Bishop Sutton, Weston, Midsomer Norton, Keynsham and also Bath One Stop Shop. |
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Workers testing positive
If any of your workers test positive, employers should call the Self-Isolation Service Hub on 020 3743 6715 as soon as they are made aware.
Employers will need to provide the 8-digit NHS Test and Trace Account ID (sometimes referred to as a CTAS number) of the person who tested positive, alongside the names of co-workers identified as close contacts. This will ensure that all workplace contacts are registered with NHS Test and Trace and can receive the necessary public health advice, including the support available to help people to self-isolate where required.
In the event of an outbreak in the workplace, employers should follow their established outbreak processes and seek advice from their local health protection team as appropriate. |
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Current Covid-19 guidance
Despite case numbers decreasing, coronavirus remains a serious health risk. It’s important that we all stay cautious and help protect yourself and others. Check the latest government guidance here.
Let's look after each other. Covid-19 hasn't gone away. |
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Have your say at Bath Area Forum
Residents are being invited to have their say on issues that matter to them with the launch of a new Area Forum for Bath. |
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Bath Society of Artists Annual Open Exhibition
Bath Society of Artists’ 116th Annual Open Exhibition will open at the Victoria Art Gallery on 2 October and run until 20 November 2021. |
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Heritage Open Days 2021
Venues across Bath and North East Somerset will open up their doors this September for Heritage Open Days (10-19 September). |
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E-cycle funding boost to get more pedalling
More residents will be able to experience the benefits of electric bikes thanks to a funding boost secured by the council. |
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Update on Keynsham High Street improvement works
The council is updating residents and businesses on the progress of major works to improve Keynsham High Street and revitalise the town centre. |
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Council meeting calendar
Do you want to know about decisions being taken by the council and have your say? Please follow this link to the council’s calendar of meetings. |
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Latest Government guidance
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NHS Covid-19 Pass
How to get the NHS Covid-19 Pass and demonstrate your coronavirus (Covid-19) status when travelling abroad and domestically at events and venues in England. |
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Testing for coronavirus (Covid-19) before hospital
Sets out how and when to use a PCR home test kit to test for Covid-19 before a hospital procedure. |
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Work out your turnover to claim the fifth SEISS grant
Find out the turnover figures you’ll need before you claim, where to find them and how they affect your grant amount. |
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Follow us online
You can follow us on twitter, facebook and instagram; subscribe to us on YouTube, read the latest releases on our newsroom and if you sign up on nextdoor we are there too.
For updates on our services visit our website. |
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Future Bright
Future Bright offers free careers coaching, training and support to help residents develop the skills and confidence needed to take the next step, with careers coaches helping you develop a personalised action plan and make it a reality. You can access the service if you are:
- aged 18 and over
- in paid work (this includes zero hours and self-employed) and are receiving benefits or tax credits
- or they are earning less than £9.50 an hour
- live in Bath & North East Somerset, South Gloucestershire or Bristol
To find out more and get in touch: www.futurebright.org.uk or call 01225 395555 for a chat with a member of the team. |
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Live Well B&NES adults
If you need mental health and wellbeing support go to Every Mind Matters and there’s also information on these pages:
Bathnes 1BD provides information, activities and support for families and children, including mental health and emotional wellbeing. We also have a similar page for adults needing support or care, on Live Well adults.
You can call:
- Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust 0300 303 1320
- Community Wellbeing Hub 0300 247 0050
Bath Mind Breathing Space 01225 983130 breathingspace@bathmind.org.uk |
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Do you look after someone else?
If you support someone who has a disability, illness, mental health condition, addiction or who needs extra help as they grow older, Bath and North East Somerset Carers’ Centre is here for you.
Their friendly team will listen to any concerns you have, offer practical advice and access to free wellbeing activities to ensure you’re happy and healthy in your caring role. Contact our freephone support line: 0800 038 8885 or email us. We’re available 8:15am-12pm, every weekday. |
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Support available from the Community Wellbeing Hub
Anybody who is a resident of Bath and North East Somerset can benefit from support from the Community Wellbeing Hub, including those people who are isolating due to testing positive for Covid-19 or being in contact with someone who has Covid-19.
Originally a collaboration between Bath & North East Somerset Council; Virgin Care; the 3SG; Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire Clinical Commissioning Group; and other third sector organisation representatives, the team can offer a range of support services such as mental health, returning home from hospital, income, housing and benefits advice, emergency food, as well as lifestyle services for help with stopping smoking, getting active or losing weight.
Residents who want to get back to work or change career can now get tailored advice on training and upskilling from a new Employment and Skills Pod. The Pod has been set up by the council and its partners to help people identify the type of job they could do, refer them to training opportunities and gain work experience.
To contact the Hub:
Phone: 0300 247 0050.
Email: CWHBanes@virgincare.co.uk
Website: http://communitywellbeinghub.co.uk
Text: 07870 868368
Opening hours: Monday–Friday, 9am until 5pm
If you need to contact the council about its services please ring Council Connect on 01225 394041 or email Council_connect@bathnes.gov.uk |
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Domestic abuse
Southside provides help to people who live in Bath & North East Somerset who are at risk of domestic violence and abuse. The working hours are 9am-5pm Monday-Thursday, and 9am-4pm Fridays. Local support services can be found here. |
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Sight loss support
Sight Support West of England provides emotional and practical support to help people adjust to living with sight loss. Since lockdown this has been either online or over the phone. Now following careful planning, some Covid-secure face-to-face support sessions are resuming on an appointment only basis.
Your Community Sight Loss Adviser will be available at Manvers Street Baptist Church, Bath on the first Wednesday each month and at Midsomer Norton Town Hall on the 4th Thursday each month.
To find out more, or make an appointment please call 0117 3224885 or email For more information on the full range of services visit www.sightsupportwest.org.uk
For more useful information visit the RNIB website: www.rnib.org.uk/ |
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Local agencies and useful links
We have been working closely with local agencies and if you would like to find out more about their work please look on their website: RUH, Avon and Somerset Police, Curo, and Bath and North East Somerset, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG.
- Public Health England updates a daily dashboard: https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/ It includes deaths that have occurred in all settings where there has been a positive Covid-19 test, including hospitals, care homes and the wider community.
- Latest information on coronavirus: www.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS information on coronavirus: www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/ |
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Tune in
Local radio is a great way of keeping up to date with essential information, if you don’t already you should tune into BBC Radio Bristol, BBC Radio Somerset or BBC Radio Wiltshire. |
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Somer Valley FM covers Midsomer Norton, Radstock, Westfield and surrounding villages including Farrington, Paulton, Peasedown, Coleford and Stratton.
Broadcast online and on 97.5fm you can contact at studio@somervalleyfm.co.uk or call 01761 411 755 |
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| Bath Radio is a community radio station which has been operating as a hospital radio station for the past 50 years. It now broadcasts to the wider Bath community. Listen online. |
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| Radio Bath provides local news and information, promotes the city and supports its businesses, charities and community organisations. |
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Keynsham’s KTCRfm 105.8FM is now broadcasting 24/7.
KTCRfm covers Keynsham, Saltford, Hanham, Bitton, Warmley, Clutton, Timsbury, the Chew Valley and as far south as Temple Cloud. East to the eastern edge of Bath. North across South Gloucestershire to the M4 corridor and west into many parts of Bristol. |
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BA1 Radio have been established for a year in Bath and operate from a studio in Southside Youth Hub, broadcasting twelve hours of shows every weekday, focusing on Bath and the local community, including hourly news reports.
website: www.BA1Radio.org
call: 01225 941 080
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