National Lockdown - Our message to you
Dear Resident
While we have only just entered 2021 it has already challenged us all and we are once again having to adapt our lives during this third period of national lockdown.
Our staff have been quick to make the necessary changes and we are working hard to continue to provide our services to you.
We will keep you informed throughout the changes and would also remind you that if you, or someone you know, needs help now please get in touch with us through our helpline.
In line with the Government guidance we have closed our three leisure sites, our offices at Phoenix House are closed to visitors and the way many services run will be changing over the coming days.
All changes to our services will be available on our dedicated webpage
Do it Online
Please remember you can access many of our services online and that our phone lines remain open for business.
Support for you
We also continue to run a helpline for those in need of support. Please don't wait to call us, contact us now if you or someone you know needs help. We can help if you are in financial hardship, need support accessing food deliveries or require help getting essential medication.
A message from our Chief Executive, Stephen Walford
“I hope everyone managed to find some time over the festive period to relax and unwind from the many trials and tribulations of 2020. As we headed into the New Year I think we all may have suspected that further intervention or restrictions would be required due to the increased prevalence of the virus, and so it has proved. While we at the council had very little advance warning of the new national restrictions, we are now having to amend our service provision to ensure compliance with the new rules, as well as prioritising key areas of activity to keep people safe and healthy.
If you need to contact the council for any reason our web-forms, email and telephone communication channels are all still open, and we will be updating our social media feeds as often as possible. With the hope of vaccines being made available in increasing volumes over the coming weeks and months, we look forward to a 2021 that sees us emerge from this pandemic back to the Mid Devon that we all know and love. However in the meantime can I urge you to stay at home, stay safe and look after yourselves and your loved ones.”
Covid 19 Vaccination
Thousands of people in Devon are being vaccinated against COVID-19 every day as the biggest vaccination programme in the NHS’s history gathers pace. The NHS has a clear vaccine delivery plan and will contact local people when it's their turn to get the vaccine
The NHS is urging people not to make things harder for the NHS by calling your local hospital or GP practice about getting the vaccine – the NHS will contact you when it’s your turn. Blocking phonelines with queries stops other people getting healthcare and diverts staff time, meaning the vaccine rollout will be slower.
You must also continue to follow Government rules – the vaccines are a wonderful development, but we are not out of the woods yet. Remember, ‘Stay at home, protect the NHS, save lives’ and ‘Hands Face Space’. Act as if you have COVID, even after you've been vaccinated.
Looking after yourself
We would also encourage you to take time to look after yourself, as well as those around you.
Good places to start are:
Apps on your phone are also a good way to help you check in. Headspace and Calm are two of the most popular platforms but there are many others you can access.
Above all stay home and stay safe. Full details about the stay at home rules are here.