Coronavirus update 31 March 2022
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A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
Hello,
From tomorrow we move into the next phase of the pandemic, which at a national level aims to manage Covid-19 like other respiratory illnesses, while also protecting people most vulnerable to Covid.
Covid-19 hasn’t gone away and for many it still poses a risk, particularly with case rates and hospitalisations on the rise. We all need to live with Covid safely, which means staying away from others if you have any symptoms of a respiratory illness, including Covid.
Vaccination remains the best way to protect us all from severe disease and hospitalisation due to Covid infection. If you have not yet come forward for your primary or booster, please do ‒ it's never too late.
The terrible events in Ukraine have seen an immediate response from both our local community and the council. At time of writing, around 100 Ukrainian refugees have been matched with local sponsors under the government’s Homes to Ukraine scheme. My thanks go to residents who have offered their homes, and to everyone involved so far, including local partners such as Julian House and Bath Welcomes Refugees.
We held full council last week where a cross-party motion offered full support and solidarity with Ukraine. Council also received an update on our council-owned housing company, Aequus, which was set up to provide affordable homes while helping to finance key frontline services. It has returned a total of £7.9m to the council over the past five years and so far delivered more than 140 much-needed new homes.
Among those homes are two, which this week were formally acquired by the council for shared ownership. The two semi-detached energy-efficient houses in Sladebrook Road are part of the excellent St Joseph’s Court development of nine Aequus houses.
Seven social rented homes are currently under construction at 117 Newbridge Hill in Bath and full planning consent has been secured for 176 units, including 44 affordable homes at Midland Road in Bath.
Tonight we are holding a virtual 'informal' Special meeting to consider the West of England Combined Authority draft Spatial Development Strategy (SDS). This is a plan that will set out areas for housing, employment and infrastructure in our region over the next 20 years. Our meeting tonight gives us the opportunity to consider the key priorities for the SDS, which will go before the West of England Combined Authority Committee on Friday 8 April.
Following this meeting we are holding our cabinet meeting from March 17, which had to be postponed due to Covid. You can watch both meetings on our Youtube channel.
Saturday sees the start of Ramadan and we send our warmest wishes for peace, health and happiness to all those marking Ramadan.
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.
From next week, we will no longer be publishing the Covid-19 update as the government moves to the next phase of managing the pandemic. |
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Latest changes from 1 April
From 1 April, free testing for Covid-19 will end for most people. You may still be able to get free rapid lateral flow tests if you work for the NHS or in social care, if you are going into hospital, or you’re at high risk of getting seriously ill from Covid-19.
From this month, care home residents, people aged 75+, and those with a weakened immune system aged 12+ will be invited to get a spring Covid-19 booster. The NHS will contact you and invite you to book your spring booster when it’s due.
Covid-19 is still with us, so it's important we all consider how we can continue stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus. |
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Upcoming vaccination clinics
There's still time to grab your first, second or booster doses at the following upcoming clinics:
Bath City Football Club, Twerton
- Wednesday 6 April, 11am-6pm
- Wednesday 13 April, 11am-6pm
- Wednesday 4 May, 11am-6pm
- Wednesday 18 May, 11am-6pm
Keynsham Scout Hut, Ashton Way, Keynsham, BS31 2UF
- Thursday 14 April, 10am-6pm
- Thursday 21 April, 10am-6pm
Fairfield Park Health Centre, 47 Tyning Lane, Bath, BA1 6EA
- Friday 8 April, 9.30am-5.30pm
All these clinics will offer
- First and second doses for people aged 12 years old and over
- Boosters for people aged 16 years old and over, plus at-risk children aged 12-15 years old
- Spring boosters for people aged 75 years old and over, plus people aged 12-years-old and over with a weakened immune system
- Additional primary doses for people with a severely weakened immune system aged 12-years-old and over
If you’ve had a positive Covid-19 test, you need to wait before getting any dose of the vaccine. You need to wait:
- 4 weeks, or 28 days if you're aged 18+ and or if you're an at risk 12-17 year old
- 12 weeks, or 84 days if you're aged 12-17
This starts from the date you had symptoms, or the date of the positive test if you did not have any symptoms. |
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Book your vaccination
Don't forget, you can book your vaccination appointment online for:
- First and second doses for 12+
- Boosters for 16+, plus at-risk children 12-15
- Additional doses and boosters for people with a severely weakened immune system aged 12+
You need to be registered with a GP if you don't have one to book online. If you can't book appointments online, call 119 free of charge (lines open 7am-11pm). If you need a translator, have difficulties communicating or hearing, or are a British Sign Language (BSL) user, use textphone 18001 119 or the NHS 119 BSL interpreter service.
You can also go to a vaccination walk-in clinic (no need to book or be registered with a GP). To find one near you, go to the NHS website.
If you find it difficult to get to a Covid-19 vaccination site due to accessibility, please call the Community Wellbeing Hub on 0300 247 0050. Lines are open Monday to Friday 9am until 5pm. The Hub will be able to arrange for a community transport provider to pick you up, take you to the vaccination site, and drop you home afterwards. There may be a charge for this service. |
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Bath Racecourse changes
Bath Racecourse are currently offering walk-ins to those 12 and over, please visit the NHS website for more details.
From 1 April, the Vaccination Centre will be open from 10am-6pm on Saturdays, and from 8am-7pm Monday to Friday. However, it will also be closed on occasional odd days. If you are planning to attend a walk-in clinic, please check the 'grab a jab' website to make sure the site is open that day. |
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First Ukrainian families to be welcomed
Residents in Bath and North East Somerset who have offered accommodation for Ukrainian refugee families under the government’s Homes for Ukraine scheme are being thanked by the council for their support. |
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Easter at Baths, Museum and Gallery
Easter is the perfect time to explore Bath & North East Somerset Council’s museums, with special Easter events and activities for all ages. |
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Two new sustainable homes acquired
New residents of two energy-efficient, affordable houses in Bath are set to move in after the properties were formally acquired by Bath & North East Somerset Council for shared ownership. |
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Council continues to address the gender pay gap
The council is continuing to address the gender pay gap across its workforce. |
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April is Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
Every 15 minutes somebody is diagnosed with bowel cancer in the UK. That's nearly 43,000 people every year. Early diagnosis for Bowel Cancer and any other type of cancer saves lives. Everyone aged 60-74, who's registered with a GP and lives in England, is automatically sent a bowel cancer screening kit every 2 years. The programme also includes 56 year olds. Visit the website to find out more about the symptoms and detection of this disease.
Join us in a new challenge run by Bowel Cancer UK and Step up for 30. It's simple, just get active every day and ask people to sponsor you. To take part, sign up here.
There’s plenty of opportunity to get talking about this too:
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Young people and libraries: Have your say
The library service is running a short online survey until 10 April, to find out what young people think about and want from their library services.
Please share this with 11–18-year-olds you know and encourage them to take part. We want to hear from everyone, particularly if they haven’t used the library services before. The service will use the feedback to understand how library services are used and to identify any improvements. |
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Looking for employment and training?
Keynsham Library is holding an event which may help anyone looking for employment or training. The New Opportunities event is a chance for residents to meet experts in employment, skills development, training and business coaching.
Keynsham Library
Wednesday 6 April
11am-2pm
Residents can book a place on Eventbrite or just turn up on the day. If you have any questions, please email us at futurebright@bathnes.gov.uk |
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Recycling & rubbish collections
Please help our crews by sorting your recycling to help speed up collections. Keep missed boxes out and we’ll get to them as soon as we can. Please be patient – our crews will get to you. Updates can be found here. |
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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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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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Employment and Skills Pod
Are you returning to work after a short or long break? Perhaps you are already in work and planning to change the direction of your career? The Employment & Skills Pod can help you find the right opportunities.
Call us now on 0300 247 0050 or email us on EmploymentSkills_Pod@bathnes.gov.uk. You can also find out more on the website. |
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Live Well B&NES: information for all
A web-based resource providing information, signposting and support to residents in Bath & North East Somerset has launched.
Live Well B&NES provides a wealth of useful information, signposting and resources for families, including Ofsted registered childcare, children and young people with additional needs (our SEND Local Offer) and adults needing care or support to live independently.
Information, services and groups are regularly added to Live Well B&NES. If you work with, support, provide services or run groups for children and young people or for adults needing care or support (such as older people, adults with physical disabilities and/or sensory impairments, people living with mental ill health), and haven’t already registered - make sure you’re included! It’s free and takes less than five minutes to register.
Find out more:
https://livewell.bathnes.gov.uk/
www.facebook.com/livewellbathnes
www.instagram.com/Youth_Info_Bathnes |
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Future Bright
Do you know someone who is in work and wants to take the next step in their career? Future Bright offers FREE careers coaching, support and access to training. Future Bright Careers Coaches work with local residents to develop the skills and confidence needed to improve their work and pay. Check out the Future Bright newsletter to read about those who have already benefitted from the project.
For more information go to www.futurebright.org.uk or give us a call 01225 395555. |
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Specialised dementia groups in B&NES
Age UK Bath & North East Somerset are starting two new specialised Dementia Groups, which are now running weekly in Midsomer Norton & Bath.
These groups are a safe, fun environment for people to come for activities and friendship. Staff are trained in Maintenance Cognitive Behaviour Therapy which helps concentration, confidence, memory and wellbeing.
You can find out more here or call 01225 466135. |
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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 9am-1pm, every weekday.
Earlier this week it was Young Carers Action Day, a national awareness day raising awareness of children who provide care to someone in their family. The theme this year was about ‘tackling isolation’ ‒ read here for more information. |
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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.
A collaboration between Bath & North East Somerset Council; HCRG Care Group; 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.
To contact the Hub:
Phone: 0300 247 0050.
Email: cwhbanes@hcrgcaregroup.com
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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