National lockdown – reminders
Most people are hopefully aware of the main message during this lockdown: to stay at home as much as possible. The emphasis is on not going out, even for the permitted reasons, if you can possibly avoid doing so. For instance, shopping is allowed, but if you can order online for home delivery; that would help. Exercise outdoors is allowed – including with another person – but if you don’t need to go somewhere busy and you don’t need to meet with someone from another household for exercise, all the better.
Please also keep an eye on South Cambs District Council’s Facebook and Twitter posts.
How to avoid spreading the virus within the home
There may be an underlying assumption in some households that if one person has the virus, then the rest of the household will inevitably catch it. This isn’t necessarily the case, however, and there are measures people can take to prevent spreading the virus to loved ones.
If you have symptoms, you should stay away from other people you live with as much as possible. Try to:
- stay on your own in one room as much as possible and keep the door closed
- avoid using shared spaces at the same time as other people – eat your meals alone in your room
- use the bathroom after everyone else has used it, and clean it afterwards, for example, by using a sanitising product on the surfaces you’ve touched
- wash your hands often, or use hand sanitiser
- clean objects and surfaces you touch often (such as door handles, kettles and phones) using your regular cleaning products
- consider wearing a face covering when in shared spaces
- keep windows open as much as possible, especially in the room you’re staying in and shared spaces
Vaccination programme
If you are in touch with anyone who has been invited to have the vaccination, please remind them that the NHS is asking them not to arrive early for their appointment. This is both to avoid people having to wait outside in the cold and wet for any longer than is necessary, and to help to avoid long queues and the risk of mixing. Please also remind people to be vigilant against scams and remember that the NHS will never ask them to pay, or to use any financial details as ID. If they receive any suspicious phone calls or text messages, these can be reported.
St John’s Ambulance volunteer vaccinators
St John’s Ambulance is recruiting volunteers to help administer vaccines in the community. For further information and eligibility criteria visit the St John’s Ambulance website.
Self-isolation support
We are aware of some people who should be self-isolating (having tested positive or been in contact with someone who has tested positive) who are continuing to leave the house to run errands such as collecting prescriptions from the pharmacy. Volunteers could help people in this position so that they do not have to do this and put others at risk.
A reminder of support available
If anyone in the community needs practical support (such as shopping or dealing with prescriptions) or help to cover their costs, there are a couple of options available:
- The small upfront grants provided to parish councils and community groups can be used for one-off support for an individual or family.
- Residents can call the Countywide Covid hub directly on 03450 455 219, or you can call them of behalf of a resident, for help on things like food deliveries or regular phone calls to support residents’ mental wellbeing
- Priority slots for supermarket deliveries for people who are shielding – individuals can register
- Payments of £500 are available to support a loss of income during self-isolation, under a number of schemes with different eligibility requirements – please don’t assume people won’t be eligible
- Anyone whose income has reduced should check the government website to see what benefits they may be entitled to, and then also contact SCDC to apply for Council Tax Support and to find out about other help we may be able to offer, such as through a Hardship fund
- Two hot food schemes are currently running, covering many villages in the district – please let us know of any residents who you think would particularly benefit from receiving a weekly meal and we can discuss whether any volunteer support would be needed to deliver these in your village
- A reminder of some answers to Frequently Asked Questions from previous lockdowns – covering topics such as collecting prescriptions for vulnerable people, signposting to resources to help people with their mental wellbeing, and other practical information.
Bar Hill
For further details about an HGV isolation centre at Bar Hill please see South Cambs District Council’s press release which includes a frequently asked questions document.
Help to access home schooling tech
The Council has provided funding to Cambridge Online, to help provide devices and data to children who are particularly affected during the pandemic and need support to access online education. For more information, visit Cambridge Online, email help@cambridgeonline.org.uk or call the Cambridge Online helpline on 01223 300407, quoting ‘South Cambs Winter Support Grant’. The Cambs Youth Panel is also working to help provide students with technology.