Update on Bolton Council’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
What you can and can’t do during this time
The UK Government is continuing to ease the lockdown, but there are still restrictions about what you can and can not do. When you leave your home, you should follow the guidelines on staying safe outside your home.
This includes:
- You should continue to socially distance from those you do not live with wherever possible. Social interactions should be limited to a group of no more than 2 households (indoors and out) or up to 6 people from different households (if outdoors).
- You can stay overnight away from your home with your own household or support bubble, or with members of one other household
- You can form a support bubble with one other household, and if you or they are in a single adult household. You should not change or add to your support bubble once formed
- It is against the law for gatherings of more than 30 people to take place in private homes (including gardens and other outdoor spaces). Businesses and venues following COVID-19 Secure guidelines can host larger groups. Any other gathering in an outdoor space must not be any larger than 30 people.
New guidance about shielding
People who are identified as clinically extremely vulnerable may be at high risk of serious illness if they catch coronavirus (COVID-19).
The government has made some changes to its guidance for people who are shielding:
- you no longer need to socially distance from people you live with
- if you want to, you can meet in a group of up to 6 people outdoors, including people from other households
- you may also form a ‘support bubble’ with one other household if you want to, but one of the households in the ‘support bubble’ should be a single adult household (either an adult living alone or with children under 18 only). You can all spend time together outside and inside each other’s homes, including overnight, without needing to socially distance
- the government support offer has been extended: you can still get a food box, care and/or medicine delivery until 31 July if you want them, and have registered online by 17 July. If you have been recently advised to shield there is more information on the page below outlining on the support available to you below
Majority of children no longer need to shield
The Department of Health and Social Care has said that the majority of children no longer need to shield.
The latest guidance for families is as follows:
- a small group of children who receive specialist care in hospitals may need to carry on shielding after consultation with their doctor. This includes those receiving cancer care or those at risk of severe infection due to an immunodeficiency
- most other children, who were initially identified as being clinically extremely vulnerable, will no longer be considered at highest risk. In particular, children and young people who are cared for just by their GP are very unlikely to need to continue to shield in the long term. This includes children with conditions such as asthma, diabetes, epilepsy and kidney disease
Local news and updates
The day rate for the borough
The latest seven day rate for the borough has been released.
It shows a fall in the number of positive tests for people in the borough. On 7 July the rate is 12.2 positive tests per 100,000 of the population. A week ago, on 30 June the rate was 21.6 per 100,000.
Dr Helen Lowey, the Director of Public Health for Bolton said: “Though it is encouraging to see the 7 day rate for Bolton has reduced from the previous week, COVID-19 has not gone away, nor is it any less serious of a disease than it was 3 months ago. We must continue to exercise a great deal of caution.
“We should continue to take care of each other by washing our hands regularly and keeping 2 metres apart from each other. If 2 metres is proving difficult (in the supermarket perhaps) then wear a face covering if you can. On public transport you will need to wear a face covering.
“If you start to experience symptoms of COVID-19 then you should self-isolate immediately and arrange a test as soon as possible.
“If someone you have been in contact with tests positive you may be contacted by the NHS Test & Trace service, they will tell you what you need to do in terms of isolating.
“My team and I continue to use all information available to us monitor the situation closely and respond quickly to situations where necessary to limit further spread. This coupled with everyone following the guidance is the key to us safely getting through this crisis.”
New textphone service
Anyone in Greater Manchester with hearing difficulties and needs extra support, during this time can use a new textphone service.
They can call 07860 022876.
Long wait is over as museum reopens its doors
Bolton Museum will welcome back its first visitors on Tuesday (July 14) as the easing of lockdown restrictions continues.
From next week, the museum will be open from 9am to 5pm from Tuesday to Friday and 10am to 4pm on Saturdays.
To keep everyone safe, visitor numbers will be restricted, visits will be limited to one hour and some games and interactive displays will remain off limits.
25th Anniversary of the Srebrenica Genocide
This week marks the 25th anniversary of the Srebrenica genocide, in which more than 8,000 people, predominantly Muslim men and boys were killed during the Bosnian War.
Greater Manchester Combined Authority has agreed to mark the occasion with an online Remembrance Service, a pledge from local Leaders, a minute silence and the lighting up of civic buildings in green as a mark of respect.
The North West Commemoration Service is at 7pm to 8.30pm on Thursday 9th July. It is an online event to which everyone is invited by simply registering.