Lock Down
Important news and community updates for the COVID-19 lock down.
If you need help contact on of our Covid19 Community Captains:
Karen Farrington at Renaissance House 01598 763296 or 07966 486743
Jerry Stampfer at Kingsey House 01598 763531 or 07890 438890
Deb Harding at Sunnyside on 01598 763241
Ask us anything! We may not have all the answers but hopefully we can find someone who does.
North Devon District Council have a new dedicated phone line (01271 388280) and online form for those who need support who haven’t already got help from family, friends, neighbours and support from within the local community.
Keep checking for the latest information. If you would like to share a resource please email admin@parracombe.org.uk with the details and we will post on the site.
Bulletins
Latest posts
North Devon Council Coronavirus Update
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.
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North Devon Council Bulletin
In this bulletin
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 North Devon Council Bulletin
In this bulletin
£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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Urgent appeal for community equipment
If you’ve got any community equipment you no longer need, please can you return it? We urgently need commodes, walking frames, shower stools, and raised toilet seats, as increased demand during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak means these items are in danger of being in short supply.
Please contact Millbrook Care on 0330 124 4491 to arrange a free contactless collection.
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Urgent dental care services across the South West
Since the Prime Minister announced social distancing measures to slow down the spread of COVID-19, a set of restrictions on daily activity to contain the spread of the virus were introduced. All non-urgent dental activity has stopped in line with the changes to people’s everyday lives that the Prime Minister has signalled.
In light of the public health control measures and in recognition of the difficulties that dental practices face, including continuing concerns about staff safety, NHS England and NHS Improvement (NHSE/I) is making a number of immediate changes to the delivery and operation of our dental services in the South West region.
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NHS steps up coronavirus capacity with new Nightingale Hospital
A new NHS Nightingale Hospital will be opened in Westpoint Exeter to provide 200 extra beds for patients with coronavirus symptoms if needed.
The NHS Nightingale Hospital Exeter, announced today by NHS Chief Executive, Sir Simon Stevens, brings the total to seven confirmed NHS Nightingale Hospitals in a matter of weeks.
The five hospitals in Devon and Cornwall will provide the majority of care for critically ill patients with coronavirus, and have plans in place to increase their critical care capacity up to 500 beds across both counties.
Our new NHS Nightingale Hospital, which is expected to be ready for the first patients, if needed, by early May, will provide a regional resource of 200 beds for Devon, Cornwall and neighbouring counties to meet the care needs for patients who are seriously unwell due to their coronavirus symptoms.
North Devon Food Bank
“The foodbank was there when we really needed it, it was an absolute lifeline.”
We don’t think anyone in our community should have to face going hungry. That’s why we provide three days’ nutritionally balanced emergency food and support to local people who are referred to us in crisis. We are part of a nationwide network of foodbanks, supported by The Trussell Trust, working to combat poverty and hunger across the UK.
Northern Devon Foodbank was founded in 2012 and serves the Districts of Torridge and North Devon.
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