CORONAVIRUS HELP & ADVICE

The advice of the Coronavirus Pandemic has changed and these pages have been updated to reflect this. Please use the links below to obtain the latest information

Find out the Covid rules in your area by clicking here

This link will take you to the Government’s Advice and Guidelines on Covid 19

This link will take you to Dorset Council’s own Advice and Guidance on Covid 19

This link will take you to the Public Health Dorset website for advice and guidance on supporting you through Covid 19

This link will take you to Dorset Council’s information on how their services may be affected during the lockdown

Free rapid COVID-19 testing available in England for all adults

From 9 April, twice-weekly free rapid COVID-19 lateral flow device (LFD) testing will be available for all adults in England. LFD tests are for people who do not have symptoms. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate immediately and book a PCR test online or call 119.

By testing more people, we can identify and isolate more asymptomatic cases, meaning the virus has fewer chances to spread.

Go to an LFD testing site – find details of local sites and book here

Take a test at home – order kits online or collect from a test site or some local pharmacies

Take a test through a workplace/school/university testing scheme, if eligible.

Home Packs

Online Safety at Home packs If you’re delivering remote learning during this time, you can still access a full suite of home activity packs from Think U Know These include video guides and family activity sheets for parents and carers. 

INFORMATION ABOUT COVID -19 TESTING

Attending a COVID-19 test is a reason that you can leave home for. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19: a high temperature, a new continuous cough, a change of loss of sense of taste or smell, you must self-isolate and book a test.

Either book a test on the national portal or call 119.

When booking a COVID-19 test you will get a choice of sites, depending where they are located that day and their capacity. Sites are at: Bridport; Dorchester; Swannery Car Park, Weymouth; Portland; Purbeck Park; Sturminster Newton; Hawkwood Road, Boscombe, Bournemouth; Wallisdown, Bournemouth; Lansdowne, Bournemouth; Creekmoor, Poole; Dolphin Swimming Pool Car Park, Poole; Two Riversmeet Leisure Centre, Christchurch.

VACCINES

Only the most vulnerable are currently being offered vaccines. Please don’t contact your doctor or hospital if you haven’t heard anything, the NHS will contact you when it’s your turn to be vaccinated. If you’ve been booked in for your vaccine, you might be wondering what happens afterwards. You’ll be asked to wait for 15 minutes after having the vaccination. This is in the unlikely event you have a serious reaction to the vaccine. You should also be given a leaflet leaflet about what to expect after vaccination to take home with you.

Going to get your COVID vaccine is an essential journey. Where possible use your own transport or transport provided by someone within your support bubble. This will reduce your risk of catching or spreading the virus and reduce the risk to other people within your household or bubble.

Where this is not possible please use public transport or a COVID-secure taxi service. If using these services, please stick to the current guidance – for example socially distance where possible, wear a mask and use hand sanitiser.

If you are unable to travel, please contact the organisation that has offered you an appointment and let them know. They may be able to defer you until a safer option is available e.g. a home visit or a more local venue – please be reassured you will be offered another appointment

DORSET COVID PUBLIC LIVE UPDATE

Video Update (13 January 2021) on Covid and restrictions in Dorset with Sam Crowe director of Public Health – click here to view

Video Update (26 Nov 2020) on Covid and restrictions in Dorset with Sam Crowe Director of Public Health – click here to view the video

Video Update (20 Nov 2020) on Covid and Dorset with Sam Crowe Director of Public Health – click here to view the video

Video Q&A session with Matt Prosser, Chief Executive of Dorset Council and Sam Crowe Director of Public Health – click here to view the video

PRACTICAL DEMONSTRATION OF SOCIAL DISTANCING

This short video shows the principles of social distancing

WARNING – Alcohol-Based Hand Sanitiser – Vehicle Fires

This is to alert residents to the potential fire risk in vehicles, caused by alcohol-based hand sanitiser. There have been a number of reports of hand sanitiser being the cause of fires when left in vehicles in the hot weather the UK is currently experiencing. The alcohol hand sanitiser is becoming heated resulting in flammable vapours being released. These vapours are reaching their ‘flashpoint’ and then ignite in normal air conditions, setting fire to flammable components within the car.

Please remove all alcohol-based hand sanitiser products from vehicles when they are not occupied, do not leave hand sanitiser in un-attended vehicles.

You should continue to use hand sanitiser as part of your hygiene routine where you cannot use soap & water. Remember: hand hygiene is one of the most effective methods to stop the spread of COVID-19 following indirect contact (picking up the virus up by touching contaminated surfaces and objects).

SUPPORT IN THE COMMUNITY

HELP FOR THE VULNERABLE

If you are vulnerable and have no friends, family or neighbours to support you, or if you are worried about someone in this situation please click here for details to access the Dorset Together helpline ,

There is a new contact number for the help line if you need assistance during the present restrictions and you are now asked to ring 01305 221000 which is the central number for support in Dorset although you can still leave requests and messages at yetvirushelp@gmail.com and these will be passed on. The help line is open 8am to 8pm, 7 days a week and they have access to a large number of helpers throughout the County.