News bulletins from local organisations and information services.
20-11-2020 10:57 AM GMT
Everyone across North Devon is urged to stick to national guidance and restrictions to prevent the spread of coronavirus as the number of cases in the district is starting to cause some concern.
North Devon now has one of the highest number of cases in Devon with the biggest numbers in Barnstaple, Braunton and Chivenor and in the rural areas around Bratton Fleming, Goodleigh and Muddiford.
Read moreHere are the documents you need to read and use if you are going to organise an event at the
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Devon Mobile Libraries will be back on the road bringing books to you from July 13th 2020. To make sure
Read more With more shops planning to reopen later this month, North Devon Council, together with Barnstaple Town Centre Management and town councils, is putting plans in place to allow residents to visit the town centres safely.
Following the Government’s announcement that non-essential shops will be allowed to reopen on Monday 15 June, signs are being displayed around North Devon town centres to remind those visiting high streets and shopping areas to keep their distance from others, in an effort to control COVID-19.
Lynton & Lynmouth car parks now accepting cashless payments
Eight car parks in Lynton & Lynmouth are now capable of using the RingGo cashless payment system, with no additional charges so the cost is exactly the same as shown on the tariff boards.
Telephone line maintenance work
Our telephone payment line may be affected by maintenance works between 9am – 11am on Sunday 7 June. Please use the online payment service instead during this time.
Your Views on the ‘New Normal’ in Northern Devon
Has Covid-19 lock-down changed any of your values, opinions or behaviour towards your community and the local environment? Would you like to have your say on how our community moves forward from this crisis?
Read more Beware of NHS Test and Trace scammers
Contact tracers will NEVER
Exmoor COVID-19 economic impact survey
If you run an Exmoor based business or do significant business on Exmoor please help Exmoor National Park help you by completing their brief Covid-19 Economic Impact Survey
Public toilets
Out of the 16 public toilets which NDC owns across the district, 7 blocks are now open.
We have concentrated the reopening of toilets to coastal areas where we thought there would be most use. We will be looking to reopen the others shortly but no date has yet been set. We will need to employ more staff to do this as we are using a much more frequent cleaning schedule. It is likely that they will reopen in the next few weeks.
Read more NHS Test and Trace service launched
The government is introducing the service to help return life more to normal, in a way that is safe and protects our NHS and social care.
Anyone who tests positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to find out about who they’ve been in close contact with recently. Then, if necessary, those they’ve interacted with will be notified and told they must self-isolate at home to help stop the spread of the virus.
New lockdown restrictions from today – 1 June
From today some of our lockdown restrictions that have been in place have changed.
1) Nurseries and other early years settings and reception, year one and year six in primary schools have reopened in a safe way;
2) Outdoor retail and car showrooms, where social distancing is generally easier, have been able to reopen; and
3) Up to six people can meet outside (in parks, gardens and other private outdoor space) – provided those from different households continue strictly to observe social distancing rules by staying two metres apart.
Register your food business with us
Just a reminder that all food services operating in our district – including temporary and not-for-profit businesses – are required by law to register with us. Registration is simple, free and can’t be refused.
Read more Latest update from North Devon Council including:
Council recommends face masks for taxi and public transport passengers
Taxi and private hire vehicle (PHV) drivers are being asked to put measures in place to protect themselves and their passengers from coronavirus.
It is recommended that taxi and PHV drivers use a facial covering and also consider whether to install protective screens within their vehicles. The council supports the installation of such screens, provided they do not compromise public safety. Drivers wishing to install these should first seek advice from the Licensing team.
Don’t expose your children to coronavirus at the park
North Devon council does not manually or chemically clean our outdoor play areas. We are advising parents and carers to take extra caution due to coronavirus now that lockdown measures have eased slightly. Bacteria and germs are likely to be present on the playground equipment so we are actively discouraging use of playgrounds at this time.
Read the full bulletin for more details.
Read more The government has launched new coronavirus business support finder tool.
Apply for a business rates grant now
Many of the businesses that are eligible for the government grants have still not applied for money to help get them through the Coronavirus lockdown restrictions.
Minimise the risk of Legionnaire’s Disease post COVID-19
The Royal Society for Public Health are holding a webinar at 1pm on Thursday 23 April for owners of buildings, including hotels and other accommodation sites, offices, health clubs, commercial buildings etc. that have been closed or partially closed during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Important information for local businesses
Barnstaple & District Chamber of Commerce Ltd are holding a series of webinars and online meet-ups which aim to support local businesses through the pandemic.
Read more £17m of government grants paid out so far
NDC has paid out £17m to 1500 businesses in the last week. We’ve had 1800 applications so far which means around half of eligible businesses are yet to apply.
Look after your mental health during lockdown
As part of their Every Mind Matters campaign to support our mental health, Public Health England has launched new Covid 19 resources to help us all during the outbreak.
Important information for employers
The government has announced a Step by Step Guide for employers who want to apply for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme if they have had to furlough staff.
Museum of Barnstaple & North Devon would like your lockdown experiences
Covid-19 has dramatically changed our home life, working environments and communities. As we reflect on our experiences so far and look to support each other through the next three weeks, the museum is launching an archive for recording your Covid-19 stories.
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