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This Newsletter has been produced by the Petersfield COVID-19 Network. It is intended to help and inform Petersfield residents, especially those who are unable to leave their homes because of Government restrictions.
If you have information which would be of benefit to other residents in Petersfield please contact Romsey Mill with details and we will consider using it in future newsletters.
If you know someone who would like to receive the paper version of this newsletter, please ask them to contact Romsey Mill via phone or via post: Romsey Mill Centre, Hemingford Road, Cambridge CB1 3BZ (you do not need a stamp if you add “FREEPOST CB1067”) or call 07933 671101.
Romsey Mill can also offer assistance by putting you in contact with volunteers, who can help collecting shopping and medication. In addition, Cambridge City Council has set up the Cambridge Hub. The Hub can be contacted on 01223 457000 and supports all residents by responding to requests for help.
Easing the Lockdown
From 4 July:
- you can meet in groups of up to two households (your support bubble counts as one household) in any location – public or private, indoors or outdoors. You do not always have to meet with the same household – you can meet with different households at different times. However, you should socially distance from anyone not in your household or bubble.
- when you are outside you can continue to meet in groups of up to six people from different households, following social distancing guidelines
- additional businesses and venues, including restaurants, pubs, cinemas, visitor attractions, hotels, and campsites will be able to open – but certain premises where the risks of transmission may be higher will remain closed
- other public places, such as libraries, community centres, places of worship, outdoor playgrounds and outdoor gyms will be able to open
- you can stay overnight away from your home with your own household or support bubble, or with members of one other household. It will be against the law to gather in groups larger than 30 people, except for a limited set of circumstances.
- For further information, please see https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
What you must not do
- you should access private gardens externally wherever possible – if you need to go through someone else’s home to do so, avoid touching surfaces and loitering
- you should avoid using toilets in other people’s home (outside of your support bubble) wherever possible and wipe down surfaces after every use
- you should wipe down any surfaces or door handles people from outside of your household or support bubble come into contact with if walking through your home
- you should avoid sharing plates and utensils with people outside of your household or your support bubble
- you should avoid using paddling pools or other garden equipment with people outside of your household or bubble
- you should not stay overnight in another household that is not in your support bubble and take care to check local rules if travelling elsewhere in the UK.
Healthwatch Survey
Fill in a new survey from Healthwatch Cambridgeshire and tell them how the changes during the pandemic have affected you. And how you’ve coped during the lockdown. What you say will really help local NHS and care organisations to protect people during the pandemic.
Take the survey online: https://www.healthwatchcambridgeshire.co.uk/coronavirus-yourviews
If you want a paper copy or would like to complete it over the phone, contact Healthwatch on 0330 355 1285, text 0752 0635 176 or email enquiries@healthwatchcambspboro.co.uk
Mill Road Bridge
Changes to Mill Road will be made shortly to increase the pavement space for pedestrians, improve cycling safety and close the bridge to cars. Cars (and taxis) will still be able to access businesses on either side of the bridge and there will be 15 minute bus service in each direction over the bridge.
In order to enforce the restrictions, cameras have been ordered and are due to be delivered towards the end of this week. Permanent signage will be installed on the bridge at the same time. There will also be signage on the widened pavements to advise motorists about giving way. Where cars habitually park and block pavements, the Council will install bollards to prevent this happening. If you have views on where this should be, please inform Councillor Linda Jones on telephone 07975964203 or email linda.jonescllr@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
Staying Safe Outside Your Home
- Keep your distance from people outside your household
It is important to be aware that the risk of infection increases the closer you are to another person with the virus, and the amount of time you spend in close contact with them. Therefore, you are unlikely to be infected if you walk past another person in the street.
- Avoid being face-to-face with people if they are outside your household or support bubble
You are at higher risk of being directly exposed to infection, when you are within two metres of someone and have face-to-face contact with them.
- Keep your hands and face as clean as possible
Wash your hands often using soap and water, and dry them thoroughly.Where available, use sanitiser outside your home, especially as you enter a building and after you have had contact with surfaces. Avoid touching your face.
- Keep indoor places well ventilated
Evidence suggests that the virus is less likely to be passed on outdoors and in well-ventilated buildings. In good weather, try to leave windows and doors open in areas where people from different households come into contact, or move activity outdoors if you can.
- Avoid crowded spaces
Reduce the number of people you come into close contact with. Avoid peak travel times on public transport, where possible and avoid densely crowded areas. Small groups in small spaces pose a risk as well as large, close crowds.
- Work from home if you can
If you can do your job from home you should continue to do so.
- If you have to travel (for example, to work or school), think about how and when you travel
To reduce demand on the public transport network, you should walk or cycle wherever possible. If you have to use public transport, you should try to avoid peak times.
- Face coverings
You must wear a face covering at all times on public transport or when attending a hospital as a visitor or outpatient. Hospitals will be able to provide a face covering in emergencies. If you can, you should also wear a face covering in other enclosed public spaces where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
- Avoid shouting or singing close to people outside your household or support bubble
There is some evidence to suggest that shouting and singing increase the risk of infection
- Reduce the number of people you spend time with in a work setting
You can lower the risks of transmission in the workplace by reducing the number of people you come into contact with regularly, where you can.
- Wash your clothes regularly
There is some evidence that the virus can stay on fabrics for a few days, although usually it is shorter. Therefore, if you are working with people outside your household, wash your clothes regularly.
- When at work or in business or public premises, follow the advice on site
Evidence suggests that the virus can exist for up to 72 hours on surfaces. Therefore, frequent cleaning is particularly important for communal surfaces like:
- Door handles
- Lift buttons
- Communal areas like bathrooms
- Kitchens
- Tea points
- Using Public Toilets
If travelling far from home, ensure that you know where there are public toilets open. And check that these are being properly maintained and cleaned frequently.