Here is a link to a summary of the government’s COVID-19 Winter Plan.
The full version sets out the UK Government’s programme for suppressing the virus, protecting the NHS and the vulnerable, keeping education and the economy going and providing a route back to normality.
Here’s a helpful poster to explain the national restrictions that apply to England 5th November to 2nd December.
On Thursday 5th November national restrictions will come into force across England to help control the spread of Covid-19, to protect the NHS and to save lives.
This week we have been assessing which of our services can continue and which will need to change. Unlike the previous restrictions in March fewer services will change due to different national guidance and the county council’s switch to providing services digitally.
A full list of service changes during restrictions is available on the Covid-19 section of the county council website.
We will provide you with further updates if more information becomes available.
| We are aware many business owners will be worried about the financial implications of having to close due to the new lockdown restrictions on Thursday. |
| The Government has released information on the availability of grants for those affected as well as updates to the furlough scheme and mortgage payment holidays and it can be seen here: www.gov.uk/government/news/furlough-scheme-extended-and-further-economic-support-announced/
As in the previous lockdown, the Council will be responsible for assessing eligibility for grants and handling applications. Once that information is available we will publish it on the dedicated Coronavirus: Business and Licensing section of our website: https://www.cotswold.gov.uk/business-and-licensing/coronavirus-business-and-licensing/ We would also urge business owners to sign up to our Business Matters newsletter which will contain all the latest information. In the meantime, we would like to ask businesses not to contact our Customer Services Team as our advisers will not be able to provide more information than is on the website. Cllr Mike Evemy, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Finance, said: “We appreciate the concerns of businesses during this unprecedented period and the urgency to deliver these payments. “Rest assured, once we have the detailed guidance from the Government, we will be doing everything we can to process these grants quickly.” |
In order to limit the spread of Covid-19 there are new national restrictions in England from Thursday 5th November. As far as we are aware at the moment the following applies:
You can exercise or visit outdoor public places in your local area with the people you live with, your support bubble, or one person from another household.
Outdoor public places relevant to our locality include:
Unfortunately this means that the Westwoods Community Centre and the Sports Pavilion will be closed until the lockdown ends, currently 2nd December. As soon as we are notified of any changes we will of course let you know.
For details on the new national restrictions, please visit GOV.UK/coronavirus.
Press release from Gloucestershire County Council on 26 October 2020.
For each of the school holidays since the Covid pandemic started the council has offered holiday hunger support to all vulnerable young people. This half-term is no different.
Every child in Gloucestershire who is entitled to a free school meal, will be helped. Parents and carers simply need to call 01452 328518 or 01452 426818, give their child’s name, and they will be sent a food voucher code, that can be used at local shops and the big supermarkets, direct to their mobile.
The same support package will be in place over the Christmas holidays with the addition of any further help that it’s possible to offer struggling families during the ongoing crisis.
Since March this year, the council has also been able to support more vulnerable children, young people and their families, greater numbers of working age adults and older people through its enhanced Welfare Grant Scheme, which provides help with food deliveries, supermarket vouchers, essential household equipment, gas, electricity and essential items of furniture.
Details on how to apply can be found at https://www.gloucestershire.gov.uk/health-and-social-care/gloucestershire-welfare-support-scheme/
Anyone who can’t access the information online can call 01452 328518.
Leader of the Council Mark Hawthorne said: “We have been working hard for months now to make sure no child goes hungry and this support and commitment will continue today, tomorrow and over the Christmas period. A nutritious meal every day is the very least every child should have.
“Our commitment is clear, no child in Gloucestershire needs to go hungry. There is a range of schemes in place and I would urge all those that need support to take advantage of what is available. We all need help and support at some point in our lives – that’s what we’re here for.”