Coronavirus update 10 March 2022
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A message from Cllr Kevin Guy, Leader of Bath & North East Somerset Council
Hello,
Last week, I set out how we as local residents can help alleviate the appalling suffering unleashed by Russia’s horrifying invasion of Ukraine. I make no apology for asking again that, first and foremost, we continue our support for aid agencies and donate to established organisations such as the British Red Cross, UNICEF and the Disasters Emergency Committee.
I am proud of our area’s record of welcoming Syrian and Afghan refugees and I have written to the government saying the council stands ready to resettle refugees from Ukraine. However, we will need more accommodation to do this. Please get in touch if you can offer self-contained accommodation with a private entrance and its own bathroom and kitchen facilities. If you email Equality@bathnes.gov.uk, the council will keep offers 'on file' for when requests come in.
To express the council’s solidarity with the people of Ukraine, we are flying the Ukrainian flag from the Guildhall. I know many other local organisations are also showing solidarity including Bath Abbey which, following on from our own Roman Baths, are lighting up in the colours of the Ukrainian flag.
I have also this week joined calls for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting, due to take place in June in Kazan in Russia, to be moved. Our city’s cultural reach has the power to promote international understanding and co-operation, and the heritage sector should play its part in promoting peace.
I would also like to reassure people that the council does not have any contracts with any Russian state-owned companies such as Gazprom. I very much welcome Avon Pension Fund’s decision to prohibit any new investments in Russian assets and further disinvest from all Russian-controlled and Russian-owned assets, bonds and equities. You can read more about what we are doing here.
This is a tragedy not just for the people of Ukraine but also for Russian citizens, many of whom are risking their own safety to oppose the invasion. We have strong and supportive communities and I know that we will show Russian people courtesy and respect at this time.
Focusing on the progress we are making locally, I was pleased to visit Hawthorn Court extra care housing and Charlton House Care home in Keynsham. It was great to catch up with staff and residents and hear about both the care and support residents receive and to learn about the fantastic ways they are tackling the climate emergency. Solar PV panels have been installed on the roof and an Air Source Heat Pump is being installed to heat Charlton House and provide hot water. They have also switched to using energy efficient long-life LED lights. My thanks to everyone involved with this excellent scheme.
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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Upcoming vaccination clinics
If you've not been vaccinated yet, or haven't had all your doses, there's still time to along to one of the following walk-in clinics and grab your first, second or booster dose.
Bath City FC will be hosting more clinics this month and next, where first and second doses will be available for those aged 12+, as well as booster doses for those aged 16+:
- Tuesday 22 March, 11am-6pm
- Wednesday 6 April, 11am-6pm
And Bath Spa University will be hosting a further three clinics this month. These will all be offering first, second and booster doses for those aged 16+:
- Monday 21 March, 10am-4pm – Newton Park
- Thursday 24 March, 10am-4pm – Locksbrook Campus
- Monday 28 March, 10am-4pm – Newton Park
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 Last day of operation for testing site
The community testing programme will finish by the end of March, following the government's recent announcement about changes in national policy relating to Covid-19.
The testing site on New Bond Street in Bath has now closed, and the last day of operation for the testing van will be Sunday 20 March. Please check the website for further details.
Up until Friday 1 April, free-of-charge home test kits can still be accessed through the national route and can be ordered online, or by calling 119 (lines are open 7am–11pm).
Don't forget to register your test results online. |
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Vaccines for children
Children aged 5-11 will be offered a low-dose of the Covid-19 vaccine. Details of when this will be rolled out have yet to be confirmed, but there is more information on the BSW CCG website.
Children aged 12-15 are already 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 dose or 12 weeks after a positive Covid-19 test.
Booster doses are also available to those 12 to 15-year-olds who are at higher risk from Covid-19 or who live with someone who has a severely weakened immune system.
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.
In the meantime, if you would like to access vaccinations for 12 to 15-year-olds 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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Everyone aged 16 and over is now eligible for a Covid-19 booster jab. Boosters can be given if you had your second dose at least 3 months ago.
You can get your vaccine in the following ways:
- Book an appointment on the National Booking System (You need to be registered with a GP surgery. You can register with a GP if you do not have one).
- 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.
- 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. Bath Racecourse are currently offering walk-ins to those 12 and over, please visit the NHS website for more details.
If you’ve had a positive Covid-19 test, you need to wait before getting any dose of the vaccine. You need to:
- 18 or over: wait 4 weeks (28 days)
- 12-17: wait 12 weeks (84 days)
- 12-17 and at high-risk from Covid-19: wait 4 weeks (28 days)
This starts from the date you had symptoms, or the date of the positive test if you did not have any symptoms.
In March, the Bath Racecourse Vaccination Centre will now be closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The site will remain open between 8am and 8pm on all other days, and community pop-ups will continue.
The shuttle service from Lansdown Park & Ride to Bath Racecourse has now stopped running.
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.
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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Council Tax energy rebate
The government recently announced that residents living in properties in Council Tax bands A to D will receive a £150 energy rebate. This is a one-off payment to help with rises in fuel bills, and you will not have to repay it.
To speed up the process and ensure you receive your rebate automatically, please consider signing up to pay your bill by Direct Debit if you do not already do so. This will be the quickest way to get your rebate.
You can find more information about the council tax energy rebate on our website. |
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Council accepts £895,000 grant for Market Square project
A project to regenerate Midsomer Norton town centre has taken another step forward following the approval of £895,000 in West of England Combined Authority funding for a new multi-use Market Square at the Island. |
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Decarbonising B&NES care homes
Work is under way to decarbonise the council’s care homes with Charlton House in Keynsham the first to benefit from energy saving measures. |
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Twenty 20 Capital/HCRG Care Group: Statement
Statement from Cllr Alison Born, Bath & North East Somerset Council Cabinet Member for Adults and Council House Building. |
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Changes to planning rules for retrofitting adopted
Updated planning rules to help residents and businesses improve energy efficiency in their homes and buildings and address the Climate Emergency have been adopted by the council. |
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Recruitment fair for health and social care roles
Job seekers will be able to meet local care providers hoping to fill vacant positions at an in-person recruitment event in Keynsham. |
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Share your stories and memories for the Jubilee
As part of the council's celebrations to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, our libraries are gathering stories and memories from residents about royal visits to Bath and North East Somerset over the years.
We’ll be sharing these on our library social media channels and blog over the Jubilee weekend and at the end of the project all the stories will be stored with Bath Record Office as part of their Platinum Jubilee project. Memories can be written, recorded or photographic.
Please email us at: library_events@bathnes.gov.uk or drop into one of our libraries. |
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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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Covid-19: people with Covid-19 and their contacts
Guidance for people with coronavirus (Covid-19) and their contacts. |
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Covid-19 vaccination: for people with a weakened immune system
Information on the third and booster doses for people with a weakened immune system. |
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Getting help with daily activities outside your home during coronavirus
If you have a disability or are more vulnerable to coronavirus (Covid-19), this guidance outlines some voluntary extra steps that you and those helping you can take to reduce the risk of getting Covid-19. |
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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.
Look out for Young Carers Action Day on March 16 a national awareness day raising awareness of children who provide care to someone in their family. The theme this year is 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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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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