Daily update on Bolton Council’s response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
We understand that you will be concerned about COVID-19, and the impact it will have on you, your loved ones and on public services.
We will endeavour to keep you up to date every day with the latest information.
The primary concern of the council is the welfare of our residents and staff, while also making sure that we protect our residents, and in particular our most vulnerable residents.
National guidance is being updated regularly.
1: Social distancing and self-isolation
You will have heard that the Prime Minister has advised ‘social distancing’ for all people, and strongly advised it for older or more vulnerable people.
The aim is to protect the health of the population by measures to reduce the social interaction between people to help reduce transmission.
Social distancing is what you do if you don’t have symptoms, to reduce the risk of picking it up (eg working from home).
It is different from self-isolation which is what you do if you or a member of your household has symptoms. It’s to reduce the risk of spread outside the home.
During these difficult times we need to look after each other as well as protecting ourselves.
The best way to do this is keep a social distance of 2m (three steps) and remember the importance of handwashing.
Thorough and proper hand washing is vital to protect you and everyone around you from coronavirus, at work, home and in public places.
Do:
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- additional to when you use the toilet and prepare food, always wash your hands when you get home or into work too
- use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
Check that you’re doing it right on watching a video tutorial.
2: Services
Due to the nature scale of the situation, and because guidance is changing daily, we are making decisions on a daily basis as things evolved. We are doing this through our Incident Management Team that has been established. Our decisions are being taken to ensure that the safety of our staff and our residents.
Please be assured services for vulnerable people are running as normal and any communication should come through the usual channels.
Waste collections
New guidance has been issued to protect the most vulnerable people against COVID19. As a responsible employer, with many employees, this guidance has affected the number of staff we have available for our waste service.
We are working hard to collect your waste but we regret that we have had to make some changes at this present moment in time.
At this stage priority will be given to the collection of grey bins and food waste containers. Green bins and recycling bins will be emptied where possible so please continue to present all bins on the appropriate collection day. If your bins are not emptied please take them back onto your property until your next scheduled collection day, as we will not be able to return for any that have not been emptied.
Please see further information here.
Schools
The government announced yesterday that all schools will be closing with schools to make provision for the children of key workers who would otherwise be forced to stay home. And they will also need to look after the most vulnerable children.
Albert Halls
The Albert Halls is closed.
3: Community support
Residents are being reminded of the simple steps we can all take to help our most vulnerable friends and neighbours stay safe during the coronavirus pandemic.
The council is working closely with our partners in the voluntary, community, social enterprise and faith sector leaders to help those in most need.
We will have further information available but in the meantime please go to: For further information please go to our website
4: Update from partners
Royal Bolton Hospital – Bolton NHS Foundation Trust
The Royal Bolton Hospital has stopped visitors to the hospital in most cases. It recognises that there are situations where visitors must be allowed. These include parents of children, a main carer, birthing partners and when a patient is receiving end of life care. There may be other exceptions and if people feel they have extenuating circumstances and need to visit they are advised to ring the appropriate ward to discuss.
UNISON and GMB support and advice during the Covid-19 pandemic
UNISON and GMB are continually following information locally and nationally and have been dealing with numerous queries and issues related to coronavrius in recent weeks.
Both unions have been in regular discussions with the council to keep up to date with strategic planning locally and to address members concerns.
Any member is welcome to contact their union for advice and support.
Please note that access to The Hub, where Bolton UNISON office is situated will be closed to the public from Monday 23rd March, however members can continue to contact the union by telephone and email.