We understand that our residents have concerns about coronavirus. This page will be updated with the latest information and guidance as it becomes available.

For those who remain well, are under 70 or do not have an underlying health condition, they are advised to limit their social contact where possible, including using less public transport, working at home and considering not going to pubs, restaurants, theatres and bars.

For those who are over 70, have an underlying health condition or are pregnant, they are strongly advised against these activities and to significantly limit face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible.

As per the current advice, the most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves remains washing their hands more often, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water. Make sure you cough or sneeze into a tissue, put it in a bin and wash your hands.

Anyone who shows certain symptoms is being asked to self-isolate for 7 days, regardless of whether they have travelled to affected areas. This means people should stay at home and avoid all but essential contact with others for 7 days from the point of displaying mild symptoms, to slow the spread of infection.

  • if you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started. See ending isolation for more information
  • if you live with others and you or one of them have symptoms of coronavirus, then all household members must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill
  • if anyone else in the household starts showing symptoms, they can leave 7 days after their symptoms started. People who remain well can leave after 14 days.
    14 days is the maximum incubation period for coronavirus; people who remain well after 14 days are unlikely to be infectious.

The symptoms are:

  • a high temperature (37.8 degrees and above) –  you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
  • a new, continuous cough – this means you’ve started coughing repeatedly

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you’re staying at home.

Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you’re staying at home.

Only if symptoms become worse should you use the NHS 111 service. To ensure the phone service is readily available to those who need it, where possible people should use the 111 website rather than calling. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.

Additional resources:

Resources to assist increase awareness and understanding of all aspects of dealing with the stress of bereavement and the lock-down. With the current coronavirus pandemic, many people who live with depression are struggling to stay afloat during self or mandated isolation. Check out this guide mental-health-coronavirus

Essex Coronavirus Action

Foreign Secretary’s travel advice against all non-essential travel.

Chief Scientific Adviser Sir Patrick Vallance has published an article (Monday 16 March). In it, he says that we all have a crucial part to play in responding to coronavirus.

Health Secretary Matt Hancock has written an opinion piece in the Sunday Telegraph (Sunday 15 March)

[Last updated 10:50, Sunday 15 March 2020]

We would like to reassure you that the government and NHS are well prepared to deal with this virus.

The council is monitoring the situation closely and coordinating with Public Health England. We are taking all possible steps to keep you safe.

You can view the:

Visit the NHS website for the latest information and advice and the current situation in the UK. This includes answers to commonly asked questions.

You can also follow Public Health England’s Facebook page or Twitter feed for the latest updates, information and advice.

British Sign Language signed information is also available here.

Schools and families

You can check for current school closures and subscribe to school closure notifications in Devon.

Schools can update any closures by logging in directly.

The Prime Minister said  on 12 March: ‘We are not closing schools now. The scientific advice is that this could do more harm than good at this time. But we are of course keeping this under review and this again may change as the disease spreads. Schools should only close if they are specifically advised to do so. And that remains our advice.’

We are in regular contact with headteachers and are issuing frequent updates, as well as guidance on managing health and safety in schools, illness prevention and public relations.  We’ll continue to provide support to all Devon schools.

Refer to the latest advice for schools and other educational settings, published jointly by Public Health England and Department for Education, including posters for use in schools.

View BBC Newsround’s video for children about coronavirus: why it might not be as scary as it sounds, and download and print information in easy read if you would like to inform and support someone that would prefer that format, for example, if they have a learning disability.

The Government has said that free childcare offers to continue during coronavirus closures. 

Should I send my child to school?

Yes, unless they’re unwell or have been advised to self-isolate. The safety, welfare and wellbeing of everyone in our schools community is our primary concern.

Please also be aware that media speculation is rife about the coronavirus (COVID-19) and not everything you read in the newspapers and online is accurate.

The release of trusted and accurate information will always be done initially by the Chief Medical Officer. Further guidance will then be issued by Public Health England, the Department for Health and Social Care or the NHS. The local authority will also support those messages.

You can find the latest information and advice on coronavirus from Public Health England.

Department for Education coronavirus helpline

There is a helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:

No school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless directed to do so by Public Health England.

Care homes, vulnerable and older people

The council’s adult social care services are working in partnership with care providers across the county and providing them with information and advice.

We would like to reassure care homes and people who visit them that:

  • it’s safe to visit individuals in hospital
  • relatives of existing residents do not pose a risk unless they have been in close and sustained contact with an individual who has been diagnosed with coronavirus
  • while the risk from coronavirus is moderate, good hygiene procedures, which homes will already be familiar with, can help prevent the spread of illnesses

The Government has published advice (Friday 13 March) for residential care providers, and care home providers. 

 “I’m a carer, looking after a vulnerable or frail person who’s either travelled back from an affected country, or had sustained and direct contact with someone with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19). What should I do?”

You should take the usual good hygiene precautions.

If you are the carer of someone with confirmed coronavirus, Public Health England will contact you as part of their contact tracing. They’ll give you advice.

If the person you care for has had a test for coronavirus and is awaiting a result, follow the advice for self-isolation. While waiting for laboratory test results for COVID-19, you don’t need to restrict or put special control measures in place for their contacts.

“I have a relative in a care home. Can I still see them?”

Yes, you can. Follow the handwashing advice from Public Health England below.

Everyone is being reminded to follow Public Health England advice to:

  • always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze, then bin the tissue and wash your hands with soap and water
  • wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
  • avoid close contact with people who are unwell

We are aware that some older adults and people with underlying health conditions and their carers may be concerned about Coronavirus and how it might affect them. Councillor Andrew Leadbetter is our Cabinet Member responsible for adult social care and health. Here’s what he says.

Find the latest coronavirus advice from Public Health England.

Advice for over 70s: The Government is now, as of 12 March, advising British nationals aged 70 and over, or with underlying health conditions like chronic diseases and diabetes, not to travel on cruise ships.

Business and employers

The government has updated its guidance to assist employers and businesses in providing advice to staff on:

  • the coronavirus, COVID-19
  • how to help prevent the spread of all respiratory infections including COVID-19
  • what to do if someone with suspected or confirmed to have COVID-19 has been in a workplace setting
  • advice for the certification of absence from work resulting from COVID-19

The same page also provides information of financial support that may be available to businesses affected by COVID-19:

  • businesses can access a range of finance through the government-owned British Business Bank, visit the Bank’s Finance Hub for further information
  • a number of private lenders are also making funds available to small businesses impacted by COVID-19, including £2 billion from Lloyds Banking Group and £5 billion from NatWest

If you have a query that isn’t covered by the government guidance you can contact the Business Support Helpline.

Advice is available on decontamination for businesses, where a possible or confirmed COVID-19 case has spent time while symptomatic.

Businesses can also download and print the government’s coronavirus poster to display within their workspaces.

To assist with planning, it may be useful to refer to the Cabinet Office checklist for businesses (this refers to pandemic influenza but the checklist may be useful)

Businesses should remind their staff to follow Public Health England advice to:

  • always carry tissues and use them to catch your cough or sneeze, then bin the tissue, and wash your hands with soap and water
  • wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after using public transport
  • avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
  • avoid close contact with people who are unwell

Businesses (and individuals) should also be aware of an increase in scams linked to coronavirus.

Communities and voluntary sector organisations

Our diverse communities and active community and voluntary sector help make up Devon’s rich fabric.

We are working hard to provide up-to-date health information and advice to community and voluntary sector organisations.

There have been some reports of discrimination directed against our black and minority ethnic (BAME) and Chinese communities. We will never accept discrimination in any form against one community or another. Hate incidents should be reported to Devon and Cornwall Police.

Public and community events

Following the Prime Minister’s announcement on 12 March, there is currently no advice to cancel community or mass events; although this may follow as part of the next phase of social distancing.

However, for now the new guidance around self-isolation should be followed, and this may impact on the numbers attending these events and a judgement made as to whether this event is viable under the circumstances.

Public transport and public places

Public transport

See guidance for staff in the transport sector. You may want to download and display a poster about correct handwashing technique.

What to do if you become unwell on public transport

  1. Go back to your home or place of residence immediately
  2. Try to avoid close contact with other people and touch objects and surfaces as little as possible
  3. Phone the NHS 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next

Public spaces

Most people can continue to go to work, school and other public places.

You only need to stay away from public places (known as self-isolating), if you are advised to by the NHS 111 online coronavirus service or a medical professional.

What to do if you become unwell in a public space

If you become unwell with possible coronavirus when you’re out and about, do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

If you become unwell in a public place:

  1. Try to find a room to isolate yourself away from others. Ask for help if you need to, but try to stay at least 2 metres away from other people
  2. Open a window for ventilation if you can, but otherwise, touch objects and surfaces as little as possible
  3. Phone the NHS 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do next

You can find the answers to more common questions about coronavirus from NHS.UK.

Warning about scams

Fraudsters are increasingly targeting the public and organisations with emails, texts, ‘phone calls and WhatsApp messages offering advice and treatment for the coronavirus, as well as setting up fake websites selling products and offering ‘cures’. Scammers have also been setting up bogus websites asking for donations for victims or promoting awareness and prevention tips. Cold callers have been contacting organisations suggesting they must have certain measures in place by a certain deadline.

To help members of the public protect themselves from becoming a victim of fraud, Cifas, The UK’s Fraud Prevention Service is advising:

  • Be sceptical if you receive an email, text or WhatsApp message about the Coronavirus, and never click on any attachments or links
  • Never provide personal data such as your full name, address and date of birth – scammers can use this information to steal your identity
  • Don’t allow yourself to be pressured into donating money, and never make donations by cash or gift card, or send money through transfer agents such as Western Union or Moneygram
  • If you think you’ve been the victim of a scam, then speak to your bank immediately and report any fraud to Action Fraud on 0300 123 2040

Further information on dealing with scams and fraud is available from Trading Standards and Citizens Advice.

Your wellbeing

We know that many factors can influence our physical and psychological wellbeing. There are many options available to help you keep healthy and happy.

How do you look after your mental wellbeing?

Understandably, you may find that social distancing can be boring or frustrating. You may find your mood and feelings are affected and you may feel low, worried or have problems sleeping and you might miss being outside with other people.

At times like these, it can be easy to fall into unhealthy patterns of behaviour which in turn can make you feel worse. There are simple things you can do that may help, to stay mentally and physically active during this time such as:

  • look for ideas of exercises you can do at home on the NHS website
  • spend time doing things you enjoy – this might include reading, cooking, other indoor hobbies or listening to the radio or watching TV programmes
  • try to eat healthy, well-balanced meals, drink enough water, exercise regularly, and try to avoid smoking, alcohol and drugs
  • keep your windows open to let in fresh air, get some natural sunlight if you can, or get outside into the garden

You can also go for a walk outdoors if you stay more than 2 metres from others.

What steps can you take to stay connected with family and friends during this time?

Draw on support you might have through your friends, family and other networks during this time. Try to stay in touch with those around you over the phone, by post, or online. Let people know how you would like to stay in touch and build that into your routine. This is also important in looking after your mental wellbeing and you may find it helpful to talk to them about how you are feeling.

Remember it is OK to share your concerns with others you trust and in doing so you may end up providing support to them too. Or you can use a NHS recommended helpline.

Every Mind Matters

Visit the NHS Every Mind Matters website. Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. There are simple things we can all do to look after our mental health and wellbeing – take the NHS Every Mind Matters (one you) quiz to get started today with a free plan, expert advice and practical tips.

Five steps to mental wellbeing

Visit the NHS website ‘5 steps to mental wellbeing‘. Evidence suggests there are five steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.

Pinpoint Devon

You can find support services to help with emotional health and wellbeing, as well as care and support services for people of all ages, including childcare and parenting support on our Pinpoint Devon website. You can search for different categories of support such as:

Money matters

Here, on Pinpoint Devon you will find a list of organisations that will help you if you want help with money matters and budgeting, or if you have concerns about your finances or the benefits that you may be entitled to.

Staying safe

Here, on Pinpoint Devon you can find information and advice about keeping safe. You can find information on topics such as crime prevention or who to contact if someone you know is being abused.

Useful links

Resources

You may want to download and print the following materials to support efforts to stop coronavirus in your workplace or organisation (these are designed for printing purposes only, and with that in mind will not be fully accessible to someone using assistive technology such as a screen reader).