05 08 20 Latest news from Bridgend County Borough
Poster information
Posted on: Wednesday 05 August 2020
Free childcare offer to resume
Welsh Government has confirmed that the Childcare Offer for Wales, which was temporarily suspended in April to enable resources to focus on the coronavirus pandemic, is to be made available again. Designed to provide 30 hours of early education and childcare for the working parents of three and four year olds, the offer will begin in September. Applications will open on 10 August for children who were three years old between 1 January - 31 March 2020 – please note that anyone who applied for this previously will need to submit new applications. Then on 31 August, applications will open for children who were three years old between 1 April - 31 August 2020. Any applications made before these dates will be automatically and you will need to reapply. To find out more or access the online application form (from 10 August), visit the council website.
Discounted dining supports local businesses
A new Government initiative is supporting restaurants, pubs and cafes by offering up to 50 per cent off the cost of a meal. The ‘Eat Out To Help Out’ scheme is offering heavy discounts on food and non-alcoholic drinks throughout August, and applies to all food and non-alcoholic drinks which are consumed on the premises on Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays. Featuring a maximum discount per person of £10, a wide range of restaurants, pubs and cafes in Bridgend County Borough are taking part, ranging from the second-oldest pub in Wales at Llangynwyd to coffee shops in Porthcawl. A restaurant finder has been launched as part of the scheme which uses a postcode locater to list participating businesses within five miles of an address. For more information, visit the Eat Out to Help Out page at Gov.uk
Safe reopening for leisure facilities
The council and Halo are making arrangements for the safe, phased reopening of local leisure facilities following the latest lockdown guidance from Welsh Government. New measures are being introduced to help keep people safe so that life centres can reopen in stages. This will begin on 10 August, with swimming pools set to reopen in early September, and further details will be publicised as soon as they have been confirmed. In related news, indoor areas in pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes can re-open, as can bowling alleys, auction houses and bingo halls. Up to 30 people can meet outdoors, and children under 11 no longer have to maintain a two-metre distance from each other or from adults.
Field hospital appeals for donors
People who display symptoms of coronavirus must self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days, the UK’s four chief medical officers say.The increase from seven days comes as ministers try to avoid a resurgence of the virus in the UK.
The medical officers are issuing the advice based on new evidence that people with mild to moderate symptoms may still be infectious days after the onset of the virus.
People are most infectious before symptoms begin displaying and during the first few days of the illness. But scientists say there is a possibility some people may still transmit the virus for up to nine days after they become unwell.
The new advice brings the UK in line with guidance issued by the World Health Organization.
- People who display symptoms of coronavirus must self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days, the UK’s four chief medical officers say.
The increase from seven days comes as ministers try to avoid a resurgence of the virus in the UK.
The medical officers are issuing the advice based on new evidence that people with mild to moderate symptoms may still be infectious days after the onset of the virus.
People are most infectious before symptoms begin displaying and during the first few days of the illness. But scientists say there is a possibility some people may still transmit the virus for up to nine days after they become unwell.
The new advice brings the UK in line with guidance issued by the World Health Organization.
A Covid-19 field hospital which has been set up in Bridgend County Borough will be used to collect vital blood donations throughout August. The 400-bed field hospital, which is located at the site of the old Harman Becker unit on Bridgend Industrial Estate, was one of several which were rapidly established across the region to provide extra bed capacity and help take pressure off local hospitals. Thanks to the current low levels of local Covid-19 cases, the field hospital is able to host a series of blood donation clinics on 7, 10, 11, 19, 20 and 21 August – you can make an appointment to attend and donate blood at the Welsh Blood Service website.
People who display symptoms of coronavirus must self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days, the UK’s four chief medical officers say.
The increase from seven days comes as ministers try to avoid a resurgence of the virus in the UK.
The medical officers are issuing the advice based on new evidence that people with mild to moderate symptoms may still be infectious days after the onset of the virus.
People are most infectious before symptoms begin displaying and during the first few days of the illness. But scientists say there is a possibility some people may still transmit the virus for up to nine days after they become unwell.
The new advice brings the UK in line with guidance issued by the World Health Organization.
New careers in social care
Interest in careers within social care have soared as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. People from a wide range of different backgrounds have found new work supporting the county borough’s most vulnerable residents, while others who have previously worked in this area have also come forward to offer their skills and experience. With a fast-tracked application process and rapid refresher training course available, the council is keen to hear from anyone who might be interested in finding out more. Further details are available at the job pages on the council’s website.
Sign up for a free customer register book
The council is providing local businesses with a complimentary customer register book to help record the personal data of customers, staff and visitors in support of Welsh Government’s Test, Trace, Protect programme. Hospitality businesses can register their details for a book by emailing tourism@bridgend.gov.uk
Disposing of PPE equipment
Residents are being reminded to always dispose of personal protective equipment (PPE) in their non-recyclable blue waste bag. Disposable aprons, face masks, gloves and other personal waste, such as tissues and wipes, cannot be recycled. If you or someone you live with has symptoms of Covid-19, these items must also be double-bagged and left for three days before being placed inside the blue bag for non-recyclable waste.
Contacting the council
The Customer Service Centre at the Civic Offices in Angel Street, Bridgend remains closed to the public. Residents are asked to use the online My Account and Oggie webchat facilities, or to email talktous@bridgend.gov.uk or call 01656 643643.