21 04 2020 Covid-19 update from Bridgend County Borough

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, with the most recent additions at the top:

Testing arrangements in place

Arrangements are in place for the testing of local authority staff and household members for Covid-19. Organised through the local health board and Public Health Wales, the testing is currently only for individuals who are displaying symptoms of the coronavirus. A testing site at Pencoed is supporting people in social care roles while a second site at Cardiff City stadium is aimed at other staff whose timely return to work is essential for critical business continuity. Further changes to testing arrangements are planned and more information will be announced soon.

Emergency childcare applications

Applications are now open for emergency childcare between Monday 27 April - Friday 1 May and should be made by noon on Wednesday 22 April. Anyone who has already submitted an application in advance for next week will not need to re-apply. People who have applied for emergency childcare, but no longer need the care are being asked to inform the council by emailing EDFSCOVID19@bridgend.gov.uk as staff are volunteering their time to run the settings according to demand. It remains the local authority's strong advice that parents should keep their children at home unless absolutely necessary.

Caution urged when seeking support

The council is urging residents to be cautious over the use of a well-intentioned ‘traffic light’ system where householders display different coloured cards in their windows to indicate whether they are self-isolating, require help or are fine during the pandemic. Following concerns that it could signal the presence of a vulnerable person to fraudsters and others who might seek to take advantage of them, the council is reminding people that the Bridgend Association of Voluntary Organisations (BAVO) is already operating an official scheme where people can access help and support from genuine volunteers. Email bavo@bavo.org.uk or call 01656 810400 to find out more.

Parks and cemeteries remain closed

All council-maintained parks and cemeteries in Bridgend County Borough remain temporarily closed to the public as a result of the ongoing pandemic. The cemeteries, which include the grounds of Coychurch Crematorium, will remain closed until further notice to help limit the risk of exposure. Maesteg Welfare Park and Griffin Park in Porthcawl will also continue to be locked.

Stay alert for scams

Trading standards officers are urging people to remain alert for scams during the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic. With fraudsters taking advantage of the pandemic to trick people into handing over cash, banking details and other personal information, the service has issued a warning to remain vigilant after seeing a variety of different scams in use. They include the sale of non-existent ‘miracle’ cures and home-testing kits, fake notifications of fines for breaking lockdown requirements, impersonating police or council officials to gain access, email offers of refunds on taxes and bills, and fake offers go shopping on behalf of vulnerable residents. You can report a scam to the Shared Regulatory Service by calling 0300 1236696, visiting https://srs.wales or emailing enquiries-SRSWales@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Foodbank access

Food bank opening times have been confirmed for the week. On Tuesday 21 April, they will be open at Bridgend, Caerau and Maesteg between 11am-1pm, and at Porthcawl between 10am-12noon. On Wednesday 22 April, the Pontycymmer foodbank will be available 1.30pm-3.30pm. On Thursday 23 April, they will be open at Aberkenfig and Porthcawl between 10am-12noon, and Cornelly and Cymmer between 1pm-3pm. Finally, on Friday 24 April foodbanks at Bridgend and Maesteg will be open between 11am-1pm, and at Pontycymmer between 12noon-2pm. For more information, visit the Bridgend Foodbank website.

Social care opportunities

More people are being sought to help 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. Apply or find out more about social care vacancies at Bridgend County Borough Council. 

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.