From 12 April 2021, lockdown rules ease further and the following applies:
- All shops allowed to open, including hairdressers and close-contact services.
- Restaurants and pubs can serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outside.
- Gyms, libraries and community centres can reopen; along with outdoor sports facilities and open-air swimming pools, which were allowed to reopen from 29 March.
- Members of the same household can take a holiday in England in self-contained accommodation.
- Children can attend any indoor children’s activity.
- Care home visitors increases to two per resident.
- Driving lessons can resume.
- The ‘stay at home’ rule ended on 29 March, but you should continue to work from home and minimise journeys where possible.
- Six people or two households can meet outside, including in private gardens.
However, restrictions remain, including indoor entertainment venues stay closed and holidays abroard are still not allowed.
It remains important to stop the spread of coronavirus by:
- Washing hands regularly.
- Wearing a face covering in indoor settings where you may come into contact with others.
- Staying 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household or bubble.
See the latest government guidance and support.
See the 4-step roadmap out of the lockdown, published on 22 February 2021, at COVID-19 Response – Spring 2021. The BBC continue to update a helpful roadmap summary.
Communities in the Wiveliscombe and 10 Parishes area have been doing a great job to help people stay safe and cope with the unusual restrictions. Please continue to look after yourselves and others too.
Help in Wiveliscombe and 10 Parishes: contact the Community Office (Wiveliscombe Area Partnership) on 01984 624 777 (Mon-Fri 10am-1pm, Sat 10am – 12:30pm, excluding bank holidays – answerphone at other times) or by email at coronahelp@wiveliscombe.com.
Government: Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you need to do, including protecting yourself and others, testing, financial support, schools, childcare, businesses and organisations, healthcare workers and carers, travel and public services.
Somerset Coronavirus Support Helpline – 0300 790 6275 for Coronavirus-related support from Somerset West and Taunton Council and Somerset County Council. Open 8am-6pm, 7 days a week. Council advice and information is also online – see below.
Somerset NHS – Covid-19 vaccinations in Somerset
NHS advice on Coronavirus (COVID-19): www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
Lister House Surgery: Covid 19 information
Mental health information from Somerset County Council (looking after your health, wellbeing and safety): www.somerset.gov.uk/coronavirus/covid-19-mental-health-information
Mindline Somerset – Coronavirus emotional support helpline available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week from Mind in Somerset on 01823 276 892
Somerset West and Taunton Council advice online includes business support, help with housing benefit, council tax, rent and mortgage payments, test and trace support payments, staying safe online, health, tenants and landlords, bereavment, planning: www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk/coronavirus
Somerset Waste Partnership service updates and disposing of waste for anyone with symptoms of coronavirus: www.somersetwaste.gov.uk/coronavirus
Somerset County Council: Latest Coronavirus updates on schools, early years childcare, travel, testing, advice for vulnerable people, health and well-being and lots more.
Somerset County Council services affected by the Coronavirus: www.somerset.gov.uk/covid-19-our-affected-services
Public rights of way and COVID-19: County Council update; FWAG SouthWest update
BBC website is good for answering questions and providing the latest news: www.bbc.co.uk/news/explainers
I will continue to update this list with important and reliable sources of advice. Please contact me if you need any additional help and I will do my best to assist.