10 06 20 Covid-19 update

As the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic continues, Bridgend County Borough Council is continuing to focus its resources on providing essential services and protecting vulnerable residents. The following information provides a summary of latest developments.

New advice on face masks

Following updated advice from the World Health Organisation, people in Wales are being asked to wear three-layer face coverings on public transport and in other situations where social distancing is not possible. While not compulsory, the new advice is aimed at people who are not displaying symptoms of coronavirus. Cotton masks should be used instead of silk or nylon, and should not be worn for more than four hours. Anyone wearing a covering should wash their hands after use, even if it has only been used for a short period, and the masks should also be washed after use. Unless the mask can be washed between journeys, anyone using a train or bus twice a day should wear a different mask for each trip.

Post-pandemic modular classrooms

Bridgend County Borough Council has committed £1.2m for the provision of new modular classrooms which would enable a primary school’s infant pupils to be educated on site. Over the last few months, before the lockdown, infant pupils at Mynydd Cynffig Primary School were being transported to Corneli Primary School, Ysgol Y Ferch O’r Sgêr and the Integrated Children’s Centre daily to receive their education. It followed extensive damage caused by a burst pipe which left much of the site used by the infants unusable. A condition survey later found there were further issues with the building which resulted in the decision to close it. The council will be working with the contractor to provide the new temporary classrooms as a matter of urgency.

Local firm produces antibody test

An antibody test manufactured in Pencoed is being used throughout the UK to determine if people have had Covid-19. Ortho Clinical Diagnostics is one of several companies that responded to a call for help from the First Minister and Life Sciences Hub Wales. Working in partnership with Public Health Wales, the antibody kits are supporting efforts to identify an immune response to the coronavirus.

Community recycling centres

Residents are being reminded that while the odds-and-even car number plate system is no longer in use at community recycling centres, site access continues to be restricted to just cars, and only a few cars are allowed into the sites at any one time. All items and materials must be pre-sorted before entering a recycling centre, and only one person is allowed to get out of the car to dispose of the waste.

Garden waste service

Households that want to sign up to the garden waste collection service will be able to do so from 29 June. The service temporarily stopped during the lockdown, but resumed in early May. With a limit on the number of new sign-ups the service can take, places will be offered on a first-come-first-served basis.

Free activities at home

Free activities ranging from lessons on playing the ukulele and story-writing to photography and more are helping older people to avoid feeling like they are stuck at home during the Covid-19 coronavirus lockdown. Awen Cultural Trust and Bridgend County Borough Council are sharing a new programme called Stronger, Together to support the mental health and well-being of older people while lockdown is in place. It supports and encourages them to take up a new activity or share an existing interest with others. Accompanying workbooks and videos are available as part of the service, and you can find out more on Stronger Together Bridgend website.

Accessing foodbanks

Keep up to date with details of which foodbanks are open and how they can be accessed during the ongoing outbreak by visiting the Bridgend Foodbank website or checking their social media pages.

Support for older people

Bridgend County Care and Repair is offering a free ‘helping hand’ service for older people who are self-isolating and are unable to pick up food, medicine and other essential items. Find out more on care and repair's website.

Social care opportunities

More people are being sought to support the county borough’s most vulnerable residents. A number of employment opportunities are available, and anyone who has previously worked in social care or who has transferable skills is invited to apply. A fast-tracked application process and rapid refresher training course are available. Find out more or apply for social care roles online.

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 use the webchat on our homepage by clicking the Oggie icon, or to email talktous@bridgend.gov.uk or call 01656 643643.