COVID-19 (Coronavirus) – information
From the Vale
The launch of "Oxfordshire All In" was expected today. This is a co-ordinated effort across Oxfordshire and should detail all the local community initiatives and help. It is still being built for Launch with much of the information already provided and will grow as the network is built out. It is taking a while just from the volume of support teams to load. It is hoped this can help with the demand/supply of help and get the response effort published.
The support model for the 1.5m people on the "At risk" list is becoming a little clearer now. The primary contact point is being managed by the County Council, it MAY be the case that our help locally will be called on if some local help is needed, or a simple check in. (This was received late last night; locally, we do not know who is on these lists).
Shielding our most vulnerable residents. See:
http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2020/2020-03/shielding-our-most-vulnerable
This includes dedicated telephone lines for those who are, and are not, considered 'high risk'.
Some good news…The Vale of White Horse District Council are rolling out an Emergency Grant funding program. I will send further details in the next 24 hours, but as your local councillor I have a small amount of funding available to give as grants to support the efforts of the local communities. Details to follow and we will aim to make it as efficient and effective as possible to make a difference.
Nationally. The Government are allowing people to have a 6 month extension to MOT expiry date, so long as the vehicle is kept in a road worthy condition. Garages are still open to conduct repairs. And for those who are worried about self-employment support, details of support should be released on Thursday by the Chancellor.
Finally a few other updates from the District Council:
Car parking charges suspended. See: http://www.whitehorsedc.gov.uk/news/2020/2020-03/parking-charges-suspended-all-district-council-car-parks-south-oxfordshire-and-val
£500 million hardship fund - more details confirmed. The government has today provided more details about the £500M hardship fund to support people who are struggling to pay bills as a result of the Coronavirus pandemic. All those who receive Council Tax Reduction will be guaranteed an award up to £150 off their council tax for 2020/21, in addition to any support they already receive. If someone's bill is less than £150 this means that they will pay no council tax during the coming year unless their circumstances change. As soon as everything is in place and we have identified individuals' level of support, we will send revised council tax bills to all those who qualify.
Planning. Planning activities are being scaled back. There will be no site visits for planning or building control applications over the next 3 weeks.
Other matters
Collection of prescriptions. We now know that White Horse Medical Practice has stopped the delivery of prescriptions in bulk to the Uffington Shop, but they will accept volunteers collecting prescriptions on behalf of others who are unable to do so themselves or do not have other family able to collect for them. If you need a prescription collected please call 01367 820 878 – this is the number on Tina Monk's Uffington Viral Kindness leaflet delivered the other day, who says: 'We will deliver to the doorstep to prevent exposure to the shop. Our couriers are using disposable gloves and sealed bags on paperwork. We do not enter homes. Medicine delivery is our highest priority and they are not 'bothering us' in the slightest to phone for a delivery. Please publicise as widely as you can.'
Stay at home!! We have all seen and heard the new Government rules saying: - Stay at home
- Only go outside for food health reasons or work (if you can't work from home)
- Stay 6 ft (2 m) away from other people
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home
- You can spread the virus even if you don't have symptoms
We have received reports of children enjoying themselves on the shared grass area of Patricks Orchard, rather than remaining in their own homes. This is NOT within the rules, but we are all allowed out once a day to exercise, and children need to let off a bit of steam; we suggest that children should go out with their parents to walk, cycle or play on the common (in family groups, keeping apart from families doing likewise).
Please pass this message to any families you may be in contact with. Be aware that compliance with these new rules is a matter for the Police.
Pets and coronavirus. RSPCA guidance is here: https://www.rspca.org.uk/coronavirus
For dogs, it is walks on the lead only, as they could be a transmission path.
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