Coronavirus (COVID-19):
what you need to know

Get coronavirus advice and information on GOV.UK including: 

• what you can and cannot do
• when and where you must wear a face covering
• how to get a test to check if you have coronavirus (COVID-19)
• social distancing
• guidance for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable
• support bubbles
• childcare bubbles

The NHS website has information about:

• COVID-19 symptoms
• self isolating

Waste services

There are restrictions on when and how you can use our reuse and recycling centres

Schools

Schools are closed, except for vulnerable children and children of key workers. Contact your child's school directly to find out what their arrangements are for these children.

Births, deaths, marriages and citizenship

• Marriage and civil partnership ceremonies cannot take place.
• Changes to register office services
• Guidance for funerals

Citizen Service Point

We're only handling emergency cases at the Citizen Service Point.

Housing

Changes to services for council tenants

Parking for NHS staff and care workers

NHS staff and care workers can park for free in council public car parks, pay and display street parking, and residents' parking zones

Libraries

• Libraries are closed. Online library resources are still available.
• Current loans will be extended so you won't get fines will the libraries are closed.

Museums

• Museums are closed: more information on the Bristol Museums website.
• Museum events are cancelled. Find out about online talks and events on the Bristol Museums website.
• The enquiries service at Bristol Archives will continue.

Pest control

Pest control will only deal with external issues or emergencies.

Sports and outdoors

• Leisure centres are closed
• Parks: some facilities are closed

Elections

Local council, Mayoral and Police and Crime Commissioner elections due to take place in May 2020 have been postponed for a year.

On the COVID-19 data: including cases in Bristol and R number for the South West page we publish a bi-weekly report which gives an overview of the latest COVID-19 data for Bristol including:

• the number of COVID-19 cases in Bristol in the past week
• the number of community tests undertaken
• the number of new cases of the virus
• growth rate of infections
• number of registered deaths
• the R (reproduction) number for the South West

Other sources of data include the number of lab-confirmed cases (on Open Data Bristol) and central government COVID-19 data.

You can look up the weekly cases in your area by postcode on GOV.UK.

Our Outbreak Management Plan describes what we're doing to identify and contain local outbreaks and protect the public’s health.

Food, medicine or essential tasks

• If you, a family member or a neighbour are self-isolating, or feeling isolated, and need help getting food or medicine or doing other essential tasks:
  • fill in our enquiries form
  • call 0800 694 0184 (Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 2pm), translation service available
  • deaf BSL users can contact the phoneline through a BSL Interpreter using SignVideo
• Help to get food

Day to day

• Health and wellbeing guidance
• Beware of coronavirus scams and overpricing

Vulnerable people

Advice and information on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for users of our Adult Care services

Direct payments

Advice on direct payments and personal assistants

Domestic abuse

Domestic abuse and violence help

Finances

• Financial help, including help with Council Tax, if you've lost your job or had an income drop because of COVID-19
• Test and Trace Support Payment scheme of £500 for eligible low paid workers whose earnings are affected by staying at home and self isolating

Employment support

Find help to find work and information about training courses on:

• Ways2Work 
• Future Bright

Homelessness

Emergency accommodation during coronavirus

Information and support for businesses, including loans, grants and other support.

• Help people affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Worried about a vulnerable adult: submit a safeguarding referral online
• Landlords: offer a place to stay to someone who's homeless or sleeping rough, email covid19.accomodation@bristol.gov.uk

Free parking for NHS staff and care workers

NHS staff and care workers can park for free in council car parks, pay and display street parking, and residents' parking zones.

Personal assistants

Advice on direct payments and personal assistants.

Care homes

Rapid testing guidance for care home visitors.

Get a test for coronavirus on GOV.UK

What to do when you get your test result (NHS website)

The COVID-19 vaccine is being given to people in order of priority.

The NHS will tell you when it's your turn to have the vaccine. Don't contact the NHS before then, please wait for them to contact you.

Read more information about COVID-19 vaccination in Bristol on the Healthier Together website.

Beware of vaccine scams. The NHS will never ask for money or your bank details.

COVID marshals are here to help people and businesses:

• stay safe outside their homes
• follow guidance for stopping the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19).

They work in different parts of the city at different times. They wear high vis jackets and have Bristol City Council badges to identify them.

Their job is to:

• explain the government rules and guidance
• help shops and supermarkets manage queues so everyone can stay a safe distance apart 
• remind people to wear a face covering where needed, unless they’re exempt
• make sure businesses are following COVID-secure guidance and advise them when they're not
• give face coverings and hand sanitiser to people who need them
• clean outside surfaces that people touch often, such as the buttons at pedestrian crossings
• work with the police and report COVID-19 rule breaches

COVID marshals can’t give out fines or force a business to close.

Ask us to patrol an area

COVID marshals patrol different reas depending on requirements. 

To ask us to patrol an area, or tell us about an issue that needs to be addressed, email: health.safety@bristol.gov.uk.

• Fill in our coronavirus (COVID-19) general enquiries form
• Call 0800 694 0184 (freephone, Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday, 10am to 2pm), translation service available
• Deaf BSL users can contact the phoneline through a BSL Interpreter using SignVideo
• Report someone who's not following government social distancing restrictions on the Avon and Somerset Police website
• Tell us about a business that isn't following the government's social distancing regulations or order to close: email health.safety@bristol.gov.uk or call 0117 922 2500, or fill in the form on the Avon and Somerset Police website

• Easy Read, Looking after your feelings and body (GOV.UK)

• Deaf BSL users can contact the phoneline through a BSL Interpreter using SignVideo, (8.30am to 5pm Monday to Friday, 10am to 2pm Saturday, Sunday and bank holidays)

Read the video transcript on YouTube.