Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.

Warning: Please be aware that there has been a lot of misinformation circulating on the internet and social media about Coronavirus. Attackers have also been using the Coronavirus as a phishing scam. If you require information or advice please access the NHS website or Gov.UK website only by using the following links:

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***for local information please scroll to the bottom of the page***

Find out how to protect yourself or check if you need medical support on the NHS website 

https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Get coronavirus support as a vulnerable person

full details for all Swindon residents can be found here:

https://www.robertbuckland.co.uk/news/swindon-mps-urge-vulnerable-residents-sign-coronavirus-support

Coronavirus (COVID-19): UK government response

https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response

Breaking News

 

Statement from Downing Street: 8 April 2020

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/statement-from-downing-street-8-april-2020

 

Chancellor sets out extra £750 million coronavirus funding for frontline charities

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-sets-out-extra-750-million-coronavirus-funding-for-frontline-charities

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/chancellor-of-the-exchequer-rishi-sunak-on-economic-support-for-the-charity-sector

 

NHS works with tech firms to help care home residents and patients connect with loved ones

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/nhs-works-with-tech-firms-to-help-care-home-residents-and-patients-connect-with-loved-ones

 

Industry responds to call to arms to build British diagnostics industry at scale

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/industry-responds-to-call-to-arms-to-build-british-diagnostics-industry-at-scale

 

HM Treasury and Bank of England announce temporary extension of the Ways and Means facility

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hm-treasury-and-bank-of-england-announce-temporary-extension-of-the-ways-and-means-facility

 

UK airlines to save millions as navigation charges deferred

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/uk-airlines-to-save-millions-as-navigation-charges-deferred

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the retail sector

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-letter-to-the-retail-sector

 

Coronavirus (COVID-19): letter to the manufacturing sector

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-letter-to-the-manufacturing-sector

 

Letter from the Rail Minister to the Rail Delivery Group on maintaining accessibility during the COVID-19 outbreak

https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/letter-from-the-rail-minister-to-the-rail-delivery-group-on-maintaining-accessibility-during-the-covid-19-outbreak

 

Parole Board statement on prisoner early release scheme

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/parole-board-statement-on-prisoner-early-release-scheme

 

COVID-19: guidance for employees, employers and businesses

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19

Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public

Stylised image of a checklist of items

 

Find guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) for health professionals and other organisations

https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance

two figures with an arrow separating them

Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and protecting older people and vulnerable people

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people

two figures in a house with a partition between them

Stay at home guidance for people with confirmed or possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

Travel icon

Guidance for British people travelling and living overseas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

Coronavirus bill: summary of impacts

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-bill-summary-of-impacts

Plans set out to support pupils eligible for free school meals

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/plans-set-out-to-support-pupils-eligible-for-free-school-meals

Military stands up COVID Support Force

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/military-stands-up-covid-support-force

Government agrees measures with energy industry to support vulnerable people through COVID-19

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-agrees-measures-with-energy-industry-to-support-vulnerable-people-through-covid-19

AGE UK 

Information for volunteers

The response we’ve had has been phenomenal, it is fantastic that so many people want to help and support older people who are staying home during the pandemic. We've shared the top five things that can help older people across the UK right now: http://ageuk.org.uk/helping

Age UK has put together postcards and a short video on neighbourly volunteering which provides helpful information and support for older friends and neighbours: http://bit.ly/2WtAOGT

Demand for our vital services has increased rapidly and online donations are the most effective way to reach the most in need at this time. Volunteers can help us keep our Information & Advice and friendship services running and help the local Age UKs provide practical help such as food parcels by donating at www.ageuk.org.uk/coronaappeal

Advice for older people

Age UK is here to support older people during this challenging time. We’ve outlined some tips to help stay safe and well over the coming weeks https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/coronavirus/staying-safe-and-well-at-home/

If you have concerns about anything else, including welfare, care or housing, you can contact Age UK’s free advice line, 8am-7pm, 635 days a year: 0800 055 6112

Image may contain: outdoor, possible text that says 'Swindon Support "The greatness of a community is most accurately measured by the compassionate actions of its members." Coretta Scott King'

An update from Great Western Hospital 

https://www.gwh.nhs.uk/9768

Coronavirus - Feel connected and offer support to others in Swindon

Councillor Tim Swinyard is coordinating a local support group which can be found by visiting https://www.facebook.com/groups/1129094494108068/?__xts__[0]=68.ARC5x07XWudwsWLgnLwHsA7bXrKAE9UEtZg2u1Yx8OEH2RXRdm9OqQ9aTxK9PWrM9NUO3ygQYtDr9K6bq08Pt0EwYhlsZynAEIqKAxG8fwp9jex-PgmTWg-ATsvZZpj3-qO3n-F9xxZdWIGSYa9boLVvpN-2ealjMSwfycCR2sBCSFGAillZmu90qq-IParsaHkI3EbQjaYIcSIB3cX6_Ua9-MzzSP_Pf55yFlZq5CmM3evs5ce4amIzeXosA4sAqB--S7t9cwolACyjD1AOrk-gm-L63a0oOq4DZCICBMiBds2v-lz6CguuCmf3GAOiiDDcN0FSdiwryxfZwlvO5-VjBA&__tn__=HH-R

Coronavirus and the elderly/vulnerable - social isolation

As nursing homes close their doors to visitors and the elderly and vulnerable are self-isolating, many people will be feeling lonely.  If you have children, why not get them to write a letter or draw a picture for an elderly neighbour or local nursing home?

AGE UK - Community Meals and Free Confidential Support and Advice in Swindon

With the news that over 70’s and vulnerable people are being asked to self-isolate in their homes, Age UK Wiltshire have rapidly accelerated plans to launch their Community Meals+ Service (Meals on Wheels) across Swindon and Wiltshire. The rapidly changing circumstances and guidance for older people has triggered Age UK Wiltshire to re-configure it’s services and workforce to make sure we can make contact with those most in need and ‘come to you’ with hot meals, snacks and a wellbeing check, or organise a friendly regular ‘keeping in touch’ telephone call. 

Age UK Wiltshire’s Director of Services said “now is the time to make sure older people are well supported and not left alone at home feeling anxious and out of touch with the outside world. We have a dedicated workforce made up of volunteers and paid staff who are all motivated to help minimise the negative impact Coronavirus is having on the older population. We are in daily communication with our colleagues in health and social care services to work together to support our people in whatever way we can”

We have dedicated webpages to Coivid-19… https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/

As well as Community Meals we are continuing to offer the older residents of Swindon and Wiltshire with free and confidential information and advice over the phone, by email and letter and regular phone calls to check on peoples wellbeing.

To contact us, please call

0808 196 2424 – Monday – Friday, 10am – 3pm

Email: enquiries@ageukwiltshire.org.uk

Follow us on Twitter @AgeUKWiltshire for updates about any further changes to this service

Coronavirus - Local Businesses 

Swindon bus company

Transport: special timetables to be introduced by Swindon Bus Company. Click on the link below for full details and updates

https://www.swindonbus.co.uk/coronavirus

Barnes Coaches - Happy to help!

Barnes Coaches

Are you, or do you know someone, who is self-isolating within the local area and is unable to get out to the local shops for essentials to get them through?

Our drivers are available for free of charge errand running during this difficult time for anyone who may need it. Whether this is food shopping, picking up prescriptions or anything else we can do, the Barnes team will be happy to help!

All our drivers will be in ‘Barnes’ branded vehicles, and are all DBS cleared.

This is available for our usual pickup area for our holiday tours, see our website here for which areas we can offer this to > https://www.barnescoaches.co.uk/holiday-pickups

For all errand requests, please call the Barnes office on 01793 821303 option 1 or email travel@barnescoaches.co.uk

#KeepSafe! - Barnes Coaches Team

GWR

GWR: Reduced timetable in response to government advice against non-essential travel. The new timetable will come into force on Monday March 23rd. Full details of the new timetable will appear at http://www.gwr.com/travel-updates/check-your-journey 

GWR : Refunds for train passengers who cancel due to non-essential travel advice. 

https://www.gwr.com/safety

 

Tesco

 Tesco: From Thursday 19 March the following changes will be implemented to help customers and staff

To ensure more people have access to everyday essentials, we are introducing a storewide restriction of only 3 items per customer on every product line, and removing multi-buy promotions.

In order to allow Tesco colleagues to focus on stocking shelves, helping to provide the essential groceries you are looking for and to avoid waste, we will close all meat, fish, deli counters and salad bars.

To be able to ensure our stores are clean, that we can replenish stock, and allow our colleagues to rest, we will change our trading hours with all stores closing at 10pm.

To ensure we are doing everything possible to reduce the risk of infection for both our customers and colleagues, we will be introducing some distancing measures at the checkout and, to make it swifter, invite customers who can, to pay by card.

To help free up slots for the more vulnerable, such as our elderly customers and those who are self-isolating, we are encouraging customers who shop online or choose Click+Collect for their grocery home shopping, to prioritise shopping in-store where possible.

 To ensure our more vulnerable and elderly customers can shop in-store, we will prioritise one hour every Monday, Wednesday and Friday morning between 9-10am (except in our Express stores) and ask that you respect this

Asda

Asda is working to support our customers – particularly those in vulnerable groups – and our communities, our supply chain and our colleagues during the Covid-19 outbreak.

For our customers:

  • Tomorrow, our larger stores will be prioritising elderly and vulnerable customers, and their carers, from opening until 9am. We are asking other customers to leave their shopping until later in the day, allowing those who need essentials to be able to get them first thing
  • Customers are now able to buy only up to three of any product across all food items, toiletries and cleaning products, to help everyone get what they need
  • We are temporarily closing non-essential services, such as rotisserie and pizza counters, allowing us to free up space and time for colleagues
  • We are temporarily limiting the opening hours of some stores to ensure they have time to restock and thoroughly clean
  • We’re asking online customers to advise us when ordering if they are self-isolating so we can make adjustments to their delivery

For our colleagues:

  • They will receive full pay if they need to isolate due to coronavirus
  • Where colleagues have been identified as being part of a vulnerable group and need to self-isolate, they will receive full pay for the full 12 weeks to protect their health

For those out of work:

  • We are working with more than 20 companies to take on workers whose normal jobs have been impacted by Covid-19 – including Moto motorway services and Menzies, who operate airport baggage handling. Colleagues from these companies will be offered shifts or a temporary secondments to Asda roles, ensuring individuals remain in work and companies do not have the additional pressure of staff costs during this crisis
  • We’re also offering quick-start, temporary contracts in our stores and distribution centres for people looking for work

For our suppliers:

  • We are paying our small suppliers immediately to help them keep their business operating
  • We’re providing a three month rent holiday to around 250 small business tenants in our stores who are struggling to operate during these unprecedented times
  • We are offering local cafes and restaurants the opportunity to take on additional catering services and help feed colleagues who are working around the clock to keep shelves stocked.

 

Total Guide To Swindon

We are supporting the community at the moment by creating helpful articles on our site that will help people adapt to life under Coronavirus. We would be happy to help any charities and get their messages out to the public free of charge as well. Please contact  ryan@totalguideto.com

 

Thames Water is urging its customers to help reduce the risk of sewer blockages during the COVID-19 pandemic.

https://corporate.thameswater.co.uk/media/News-releases/COVID-19-wet-wipes

Coronavirus:  Help and support for small businesses in Swindon - FSB

https://www.fsb.org.uk/campaign/covid19.html

Useful Links and Information

Coronavirus - Kids at home? A message for parents, carers and schools

Hello,

As the Coronavirus spreads, we’re aware that pupils’ learning is being disrupted. Parents, carers and teachers are looking for ways to ensure the continuity of education so that no children miss out on valuable learning time.

To support you during this period, Twinkl is offering every teacher in England access to all Twinkl resources with a One Month Ultimate Membership, totally free of charge. We’re also extending this to every parent and carer in your school so your pupils can still have access to high-quality learning during any periods of disruption.

Setting this up is really easy to do - go to http://www.twinkl.co.uk/offer and enter the code UKTWINKLHELPS

We’d like your support to get this message out. Please let your wider school and leadership team know about this opportunity so that you can all share it with your school community. 

Please also share this code with parents and share the link above on your website so parents know where to activate their code.

We’ve also put together some helpful guidance to outline a few ideas for how you can support parents and carers during school closures, ensure high-quality learning continues and support teachers, parents and carers to make the most from this offer of help.

If you are an existing Twinkl subscriber on Core or Extra you will be able to use this code to upgrade your current membership using the same link as above.

It’s easy to arrange access yourself through our website. If you do have any questions please get in touch with our TwinklCares team. As we are supporting people globally please bear in mind that we are receiving a large number of enquiries so please only get in touch if your enquiry is of an urgent nature at twinklcares@twinkl.co.uk

You can also visit our website http://www.twinkl.co.uk

Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the Coronavirus outbreak and we hope that this will go some way towards helping.

Best wishes,

Jonathan Seaton

Twinkl CEO

Coronavirus - Practical ways to help yourself cope

Information on what to do if you're feeling low or struggling to cope

https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/blog/coronavirus-and-social-isolation/

 

Resources 

The following poster can be used if you are self isolating, elderly or vulnerable.  Please feel free to print and share with anyone who may need one.

 

Coronavirus self isolation poster