Newsletters - May 2020

We’ve seen another significant moment this week with the launch today of the NHS Test and Trace service. This, fast on the heels of the announcement last Friday that local councils will be at the forefront in responding to local outbreaks, in order to control infection and ensure that the public can be protected from further spread.
The two are complementary, and are vital steps in our recovery and return to more normal lives.

We’re helping develop local track and trace plans; Big boost for Devon’s economic recovery; Devon’s carbon emissions have fallen by nearly a quarter; Stay alert, stay safe and think twice this weekend; Celebrate Eid safely and do you know someone who deserves an honour?

As we adjust to a very different way of living, being kind to each other and to ourselves has never been more important. We know from research that kindness and our mental health are profoundly connected. It strengthens relationships, develops community connections and deepens solidarity.

We’ve seen some changes this week. Recycling centres have started to reopen in a limited way; we’ve moved from staying at home, to staying alert, and since Wednesday we’ve been allowed more exercise and travel.
Unlike lockdown, which came quite suddenly, the re-starting of things has to be a gradual process. Relatively simple announcements – some schools will open from June 1, for example – need a lot of consideration and planning to ensure that these things happen safely.

The changes to the lockdown are limited, it has not been lifted and we still have a long way to go. While this next phase feels significant, it is certainly not a return to normality. We should all still be staying at home as much as possible, but from tomorrow, (Wednesday 13 May), people in England can spend more leisure time outdoors, which is important for our mental and physical health.

As the lockdown continues and we prepare to commemorate VE day at home this bank holiday weekend, please remember that the coronavirus (COVID-19) related restrictions announced over six weeks ago still remain in place in order to help protect the NHS and save lives.

Our latest figures show 10,000 more daily trips on our A-roads compared to just one week ago. With that, an appeal again to stay home, and a reminder that the reason why the south west has one of the lowest number of reported cases of coronavirus (COVID-19) is because we’ve heeded the government guidance to stay put unless our journey is essential and stay compliant with social distancing.