Coronavirus update 2 September 2021
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A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
As schools and colleges welcome pupils and students back, following the summer break, I hope the new term will get off to a great start for all our young people who have had to cope with so much disruption during the last 18 months.
A lot of the rules have changed and under new guidance if a child or young person has been identified as a close contact of someone with Covid, they will be advised to take a PCR test. They will not have to self-isolate unless they have a positive PCR test result.
When secondary school and college students return they are being advised to take two on-site rapid COVID-19 tests three to five days apart, followed by twice weekly testing at home. If the test is positive, then you should also take a confirmatory PCR test and follow the latest government guidance.
Please remember if you have any of the following symptoms: a high temperature, new, continuous cough or a loss of/change to sense of smell or taste, you should self-isolate and take a PCR test immediately to confirm if you have the virus.
Around one in three people with Covid-19 have no symptoms and can spread it without knowing. Taking regular rapid tests will help give you peace of mind that you are not spreading the virus and will help protect your family and friends.
I want to thank our communities for their amazing response to our request for rented accommodation for Afghan families in urgent need. Families who have had to flee Afghanistan are expected to arrive soon in Bath & North East Somerset. The Home Office is in the process of matching families to the properties. Thanks also to our partners Bath Welcomes Refugees and Julian House for their work on this.
Over the next six weeks we want to hear your views on a series of proposed changes to the council’s planning framework which will help us address the Climate Emergency and Ecological Emergency.
The Local Plan Partial Update (LPPU) and three draft Supplementary Planning Documents (SPDs) consultation runs until 8 October.
You will be able to have your say on issues including the need to update and replenish the district’s housing supply, houses of multiple occupation, transport and practical guidance on adapting homes to reduce energy use. The proposals will help us make real changes that will contribute tackling the Climate and Ecological Emergency. To take part in the LPPU or SPD consultations visit: www.bathnes.gov.uk/current-planning-policy-consultations
I was delighted to see so many Bath residents join the inaugural Bath Area Forum meeting on Tuesday this week. The forum is one of five covering Bath and North East Somerset. They are an excellent way to find out what’s happening in your community and to have your say on a range of important issues. The second meeting of the newly formed Bath Area Forum is next Wednesday 8 September. To join the Zoom meeting please register in advance.
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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Vaccination walk-in clinics at Bath Racecourse
Walk-in Covid-19 vaccination clinics are now available for everyone aged 16 and over 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
In the last four weeks nearly 800 people have taken a rapid lateral flow test at either our Bath test site or at our mobile testing van and we have also given out more than 3,300 boxes of home self-test kits during this time as well. Thank you for playing your part.
The van’s locations are published on our website you don’t need an appointment – 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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Council set to welcome first Afghan families after incredible community response
Families who have had to flee Afghanistan are expected to arrive soon in Bath and North East Somerset after a fantastic community response for suitable properties.
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Cabinet takes first steps on setting next year’s budget and council tax
A report on Bath & North East Somerset Council’s financial outlook is set to be examined by cabinet next week. |
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Council to decide on renewing restrictions on street drinking
The results of a public consultation on plans to renew street drinking restrictions in Bath and Midsomer Norton will go before cabinet on September 9. |
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Can you help homeless young people?
A scheme which helps homeless young people in Bath and North East Somerset is appealing for new host households to get involved. |
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Bath’s biggest array of solar panels
Our flagship office development at Bath Quays South now boasts the biggest array of solar panels in the city. |
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Cabinet considers strategy to tackle climate emergency
The council is to consider a fundamental review of its buying practices as part of its commitment to tackle the climate emergency. |
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New report sets out how council measures up
Find out how we are delivering for local communities on 20 key measures. |
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Breathing easier as pollution reduces in Bath
New data shows air quality is improving both in Bath city centre and outside the Clean Air Zone (CAZ) following the introduction of the scheme. |
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Somer Valley Area Forum
Residents in the Somer Valley area are being invited to have their say on local planning, transport and regeneration plans. |
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Bath Area Forum
Residents are being invited to have their say on issues that matter to them at the next Area Forum for Bath. |
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Have your say on Planning Policy consultations
Meet our planning team on zoom at 6pm tonight where they will present details of the Local Plan Partial Update. There will be a chance to ask questions. You can find more information and register on the council website. If you can’t make this date the webinar will be run again on 15 September.
There are two more webinars on key topics next week: Houses in Multiple Occupations Supplementary Planning and LPPU on 6 September and Transport and Developments Supplementary Planning Document on 7 September. You can check times and book on the website. |
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Bath Quays sewer works
The council is notifying motorists of roadworks from August 31 near Avon Street car park in Bath to accommodate Wessex Water sewer works. |
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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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Coronavirus: how to stay safe and help prevent the spread
Find out how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of coronavirus. |
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COVID-19: guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection. |
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Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person
Guidance for contacts of a person with a positive test result for coronavirus (COVID-19) who do not live with that person. |
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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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