Coronavirus update 20 January 2022
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A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
Hello,
After weeks of extremely high Covid numbers it’s encouraging to see our rates in Bath and North East Somerset are starting to fall.
It is still possible to catch and spread Covid-19, even if you are fully vaccinated so as we learn to live with the virus we all need to manage the risk to ourselves and others.
With the easing of Plan B lockdown restrictions from next week, it’s important that we continue to consider the situations where risks of spreading the virus are likely to be higher and how we can reduce those risks.
Most importantly anyone with Covid-19 symptoms or a positive test result should stay at home and self-isolate immediately. If you have symptoms of Covid-19, you should arrange to take a PCR test as soon as possible, even if you’ve had one or more doses of a Covid-19 vaccine.
To the families in our area, who over the past two years have lost loved ones to the virus, our thoughts are with you. Figures have been published recently about the rate of Covid deaths in care homes and we want to give some reassurance about these. You can read our statement here.
When we declared a Climate Emergency in 2019 we promised to provide regular progress reports and this week a draft report into the wide-ranging action we have taken went before the Climate Emergency and Sustainability Corporate Policy and Development Scrutiny Panel. It revealed how carbon emissions are reducing in the district including emissions from the council’s own buildings and operations which have been cut by two thirds (66%) compared to the baseline year of 2009.
And as part of our commitment to decarbonising our area cabinet is meeting next week to consider a multi-million-pound investment in sustainable transport for our district. The funding is thanks to a successful bid, led by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA), to the government. As described by deputy leader and cabinet member for Climate and Sustainable Travel, Councillor Sarah Warren, this is a ‘game changer’ and the funding means we can put in place improvements to how people get around our area, particularly by bus, bike or by walking.
Finally, for fans of the hit Ricky Gervais TV series After Life you may recognise a new bench which is being installed in Sydney Gardens. It is one of 25 across the country that have been donated to raise awareness of mental health and grief through the charity Calm. If you need to talk, support is available from Calm and locally support is also available at Bath Mind.
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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Plan B measures update
This week, the government announced that the Plan B measures were being removed.
Staff and pupils in secondary schools and colleges in England are no longer required to wear a face covering in classrooms. People are also no longer being asked to work from home if they can.
From next Thursday 27 January, people will not be required to wear a face covering in places such as shops, cinemas, public transport and places of worship. However, the government suggests we continue to wear one in crowded and indoor spaces where we may come into contact with people we do not normally meet.
For all the latest guidance, check the website. |
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Who can get a booster?
Those people aged 16 and 17 years old are now eligible for a Covid-19 booster jab. They can get a booster dose if it's been 3 months (91 days) since their second dose. Boosters are also available to those 12-15 years old who are at higher risk from Covid-19 or who live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system. Book using the national booking system or by calling 119.
The vaccination centre at Bath Racecourse is still offering occasional walk-in sessions. Keep checking their Twitter feed to find out when they're being held.
For more information about vaccinations, please go to the B&NES, Swindon and Wiltshire CCG website here. Information about the local rollout of the coronavirus vaccine, including details of vaccination centres and an extensive list of frequently asked questions, is available here.
If you have any questions about the booster, watch this helpful video featuring Uzo Ibechukwu, Chief Pharmacist at the RUH Bath, who explains the difference getting the booster will make to you. |
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What if I've tested positive, but not had my vaccine?
If you’re 18+ or under 18 and at higher risk from Covid-19, and have tested positive for Covid-19, you need to wait four weeks (28 days) before getting a vaccination.
If you’re under 18, not at higher risk from Covid-19 and have tested positive for Covid-19, you need to wait 12 weeks before getting a first or second dose.
The four or 12 week period starts from the date you had symptoms, or the date of the positive test if you did not have any symptoms. Please cancel and rebook your appointment for a later date if needed. |
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Vaccines for 12 to 15-year-olds
Children aged 12-15 are now eligible to receive two doses of the Covid-19 vaccination. If your child needs a first dose you can still book an appointment through the National Booking Service. Second dose appointments are also now available, and this appointment needs to be 12 weeks after the first vaccine or 12 weeks after a positive Covid-19 test.
The school aged immunisation service will be attending most schools in Bath and North East Somerset between February and April to vaccinate eligible children, where they have a positive consent. They will be offering both first and second doses.
In the meantime, if your child is due a first dose, or is already eligible for their second dose and would like to access this via your local vaccine centres, there is currently plenty of capacity outside of school hours. This can be booked via the National Booking System or by calling 119. Alternatively, all centres are offering a walk-in service when their centres are open, including weekends.
The full guidance is here.
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Need transport to Bath Racecourse?
The Park and Ride bus service (no. 31) between Milsom St (Bath City Centre) and Bath Racecourse continues as normal. A free shuttle service continues to run from the Park & Ride on the hour and on the half hour to Bath Racecourse, returning from the Racecourse to the Park & Ride at quarter past and quarter to the hour. Most shuttles are wheelchair accessible, but we cannot guarantee this. Please check the Bath Racecourse shuttle timetable.
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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 Need to take a rapid test?
The testing van continues to provide test kits to residents across the district. There is continued high demand for tests, so please check our website before visiting to find out if the van is on the road, and where it will be.
You can still order lateral flow tests through the government website. Test availability on the site is refreshed throughout the day, so if there's none available please try again later. You can also take a test at 19 New Bond Street in the centre of Bath.
Remember to register your test results. |
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New B&NES home care support service launched
An exciting initiative, to increase home care packages and offer support to more people in Bath and North East Somerset when they leave hospital, has launched this week with a recruitment campaign aiming to attract people into the care industry via the NHS. |
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Investment plans to ‘revolutionise’ local transport
Multi-million-pound investment plans to revolutionise the way people get around Bath and North East Somerset are to be considered by cabinet. |
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Covid deaths in B&NES care homes statement
“We want to give reassurance in relation to figures published by the LGA about the rate of Covid deaths in care homes in Bath and North East Somerset. These issues are sensitive and complex and our thoughts are with families who have lost loved ones to this terrible virus." |
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Progress report on tackling the Climate Emergency
A draft report on the extensive and wide-ranging action taken by Bath & North East Somerset Council to tackle the Climate Emergency reveals that carbon emissions are reducing. |
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Statement from Bath & North East Somerset Race Panel
The Bath & North East Somerset Race Equality Panel has issued a statement in response to the outcome of the Edward Colston statue trial in Bristol. |
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New Year recycling & rubbish collections
Staff shortage due to Covid, plus an increase in waste because of Christmas and New Year means the service is under pressure. 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.
Recycling and rubbish collection dates across Bath and North East Somerset will be revised over Christmas and New Year. |
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New Opportunities event
Residents seeking work, training courses, upskilling, moving careers or business support, are invited to a New Opportunities event on 17 February 2022 from 10.30am-1pm at Bath Central Library, 19-23 The Podium, Bath BA1 5AN.
You will be able to speak to individuals who could provide you with practical support towards your employment, training and business goals. Institutions taking part include: Bath College, Cool Ventures, Future Bright, Job Centre, National Careers Service, We Work for Everyone, Women’s Work Lab and Youth Connect.
You can book a free place today. |
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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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How to do a coronavirus rapid lateral flow test
Find out how to do a rapid lateral flow test for COVID-19 and report the results. Rapid tests are only for people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19. |
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Prove your coronavirus (Covid-19) status to work at venues or events operating Covid-19 status checks
Guidance on proving your coronavirus (COVID-19) status if you work at venues or events, and where this is advised. |
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Coronavirus (Covid-19): assessment processes for selective school admissions
Guidance on entry testing for admission to state-funded selective schools during the COVID-19 pandemic. |
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Understanding the possession action process: guidance for landlords and tenants
Guidance for landlords and tenants in the private and social rented sectors to explain the possession action process in the county courts in England and Wales. |
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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.
Since launching in March, more than 70 B&NES residents have been helped with their job, business and training goals. Here is what some of them said about our services:
- “People who work there are professionals and always do their best to help!”
- “Straight to the point of the problem.”
- “My recent experience with BATHNES Employment & Skills pod was very helpful, it opened my heart to what I would love to do and opened some doors to keep me progressing with my finances end career. 10 out of 10.”
- “I thought it was very helpful, staff were clear, practical and very fast with support.”
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. |
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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@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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