Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Further information

Last updated: 14 August 2020 at 1.30pm

This page provides you with the latest information on Coronavirus (COVID-19). The government is making regular announcements in response to the ongoing outbreak.

There is a Coronavirus: action plan - A guide to what you can expect across the UK.

Hampshire County Council and health partners continue to keep a close watch on the development of the COVID-19 pandemic – with processes in place to respond if, and when required. For further information, read the most up-to-date information and advice on Hampshire County Council's website.

Current situation - what you may and should not do

The latest guidance from the UK Government outlines certain reasons you may leave home, which include:

for work
going to shops that are permitted to be open including, from Monday 15 June, non-essential retail stores
to exercise outdoors as often as you wish - following social distancing guidelines
to spend time outdoors, including with members of your household or up to six people from different households – following social distancing guidelines
to use outdoor sports courts or facilities, such as a tennis or basketball court, or golf course – following social distancing guidelines
any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid injury or illness, escape risk of harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.

As per government guidance, it remains the case that you should not:

socialise indoors in groups of more than two households (anyone in your support bubble counts as one household) – this includes when dining out or going to the pub
socialise outdoors in a group of more than six people from different households; gatherings larger than six should only take place if everyone is from exclusively from two households or support bubbles
interact socially with anyone outside the group you are attending a place with, even if you see other people you know, for example, in a restaurant, community centre or place of worship
hold or attend celebrations (such as parties) where it is difficult to maintain social distancing and avoid close social interaction – even if they are organised by businesses and venues that are taking steps to follow COVID-19 Secure guidelines
stay overnight away from your home with members of more than one other household (your support bubble counts as one household)

For the latest guidance and information, visit the government webpages.

Health and wellbeing

Symptoms

For information on the symptoms and steps to take, go to www.nhs.uk/coronavirus

Reducing the spread

The focus is on good respiratory and hand hygiene and specifically:

Wash your hands more often and for at least 20 seconds. Take a look at the NHS hand washing technique.
Use soap and water or a hand sanitiser when you: get home or into work; blow your nose, sneeze or cough; and eat or handle food.
Hand sanitiser should be used only when you don’t have access to soap and water- as soap and water remains the best method to maintain hand hygiene.
Hands should be dried thoroughly after washing.

The government advice for reducing the spread of COVID-19 is as follows:

Continue to wash your hands more often and for 20 seconds. Make sure you cough or sneeze into a tissue, put it in a bin and wash your hands.
Self-isolate if you develop a high temperature or a new continuous cough, however mild.
You should self-isolate for 7 days if you live alone, or 14 days if you live with other people. If anyone in your household is experiencing one of the above symptoms the whole household should self-isolate for 14 days.
Those who are over 70, with an underlying health condition or are pregnant, are strongly advised to significantly limit face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible.

For the latest advice for travellers returning from affected areas, visit www.gov.uk/coronavirus

The government has produced specific guidance for employers and businesses on COVID-19 to advise staff about the virus and recommended actions.

Social distancing advice translated into different languages
If you know someone who's first language is not English, they can find out information and advice on social distancing a few different languages by visiting https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people

British Sign Language
Public Health England has released new British Sign Language (BSL) versions of social media assets explaining what to do if you suspect there is a COVID-19 infection in your household.

Council updates

Council meetings

Based on government advice on social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic, all scheduled council meetings were postponed from mid-March to protect the safety of councillors, officers and members of the public who would have wanted to attend.

At that point councillors had to attend meetings in person, but the government has since removed these requirements in response to COVID-19. Following this, the council trialled the best way of holding meetings virtually as closely to their normal format as possible, especially around public participation. Two virtual meetings of the Development Control Committee were held successfully on Wednesday 20 May and Wednesday 27 May 2020.

All committee, Cabinet and Council meetings are now being held virtually and are live streamed on the council's website in the same way as they would normally be webcast to allow residents to watch the committee meetings live.

Find out more information on upcoming virtual council meetings.

Service updates

For the latest updates and further information on how our services have been affected by COVID-19, visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/covid-19-service-updates

Bin collection updates

For the latest bin collection service updates and answers to FAQs visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/covid-19-bins-and-recycling

The council's COVID-19 response

Our COVID-19 booklet gives a snapshot of the council’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. This includes an overview from the Leader and infographics showing figures about some of the things we did between Monday 16 March and Friday 31 July.

Advice, support and guidance for communities

People infographic card

Voluntary and community group infographic card

Safe shopping guidance

For the latest guidance for staying safe and protecting others when shopping during the pandemic, visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/covid-19-shopping-guidance

Community hub

Working with Basingstoke Voluntary Action and others, we are helping coordinate community support during the pandemic.

For more information on the support available for communities, including the careline set up to support vulnerable residents, visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/covid-19-community-hub

Council tax support

Following the government’s announcement of a new Hardship Fund to help vulnerable residents pay their council tax, the council received further guidance on the measures and implemented some changes.

For more information on the changes, visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/covid-19-council-tax

Do you know someone who is not online?

Can you help to share important information on how to receive help and support, as well as changes to our services during the COVID-19 outbreak?

If you know someone who is not online like a neighbour, friend or family member, we would greatly appreciate your help to pass on important information. Please visit https://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/covid-19-information-sharing for printable newsletters.

Advice, support and guidance for businesses

Support for businesses

The government has put in place a number of measures to support businesses affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. You can find out more by visiting www.gov.uk/coronavirus/business-support

Following the government’s announcement, the council has received further guidance and put in place its own measures to support eligible businesses.

For more information on the support offered for businesses, please visit www.basingstoke.gov.uk/covid-19-business-guidance

Other guidance

Statement from Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum

Chief Constable Olivia Pinkey, Chair of the Local Resilience Forum

As part of our regular review of the ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Hampshire and the Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum (HIOW LRF) has now declared the Coronavirus outbreak a major incident.

We have already been providing a multi-agency response for a number of weeks and the declaration of a major incident simply means we move to the next phase of our well-rehearsed plans.

This ensures all partners, which includes all the emergency services, can use joint working arrangements to effectively manage, and where possible minimise, the impact of the virus on our population during these unprecedented times.

The HIOW LRF comprises the public sector partners in Hampshire, Portsmouth, Southampton and the Isle of Wight.