Coronavirus updates #HereForSwansea
Get help on www.swansea.gov.uk/coronavirushelp
Latest information:
This is today's round-up of the latest Coronavirus news on Tuesday 2 June 2020.
#StayHomeSaveLives #HereForSwansea
More support for those at risk of Domestic Abuse
We've been working with tech giants Microsoft to become the first council in Wales to use a bot to help support people experiencing or at risk of domestic abuse.
As part of its You Are Not Alone campaign, launched to support people at risk of Domestic Abuse through the pandemic, the hub team has been looking for innovative ways to use technology to supplement this work and reach more people.
The council's Digital Services team has worked closely with colleagues in Social Services and Microsoft to develop the bot which will go live shortly and if it's successful it's hoped the system will be used long-term.
It is a way of ensuring that people at risk of domestic abuse have access 24/7 to assistance and the reassurance that they are not alone and help is available.Users remain anonymous and the service is completely confidential.
Our city centre's looking greener
Our city centre's biggest-ever tree planting scheme is now back under way and the Kingsway is looking greener than ever.
New and existing trees are flourishing together on The Kingsway and surrounding streets that are part of the area's £12m transformation project.
Pedestrians and cyclists are enjoying broad shared paved areas, green landscaping and a series of crossing points.
Motorists will soon have a switch to a two-way road system with a largely 20mph speed limit. Roads are designed to Department for Transport specifications.
Beach car parks
Our council-run car parks along Swansea's coastline have reopened to motorists.
The reopening has coincided with changes to restrictions on movement, announced by the Welsh Government, which allow the public to drive five miles within their local area.
Although beach car parks are now open as normal, the Council has been informed by the RNLI that lifeguard supervision will not be in place until later in the year. Signs are now in place at beaches reminding families of this issue. RNLI advice is not to take risks near water. If you do see someone at risk call 999 and ask for the Coastguard.
It is also important to note that public toilets beach car parks and elsewhere which closed as part of the lockdown will remain closed for the foreseeable future, in line with Welsh Government guidance.
Recycling update
From June 1 onwards we introduced some new materials for recycling that we will accept at our recycling centres. Scrap metal and small electricals will be accepted at all five sites and carpets will be accepted at Llansamlet, Clyne and Tir John.
Llansamlet and Clyne recycling centres have also re-opened to van owners who already have permits to bring domestic waste.
Before setting out for a visit please check the list of materials we'll take: www.swansea.gov.uk/recyclingcentres
Volunteering Week
People in Swansea are this week being urged to recognise and thank the thousands of volunteers who give-up their time to make the city a better place for everyone.
Volunteers' Week is a UK wide and annual festival of volunteering which takes place from 1-7 June every year. Find out more at www.scvs.org.uk
Road safety tips for children
Our road safety team has been putting together some videos to help youngsters during the pandemic maintain their knowledge about staying safe in the street and while crossing roads. Basic rules covered in videos developed by the team include looking left and right, as well as crossing between parked cars and using existing pedestrian crossings. More information here: https://bit.ly/3do1q1T
Staff
Cycle to work
This year's Cycle2Work scheme has just been launched. The scheme offers staff the chance to purchase cycles at reduced cost and runs until July 27.
Although the scheme takes place every year, it's especially useful to staff during the Coronavirus pandemic because it's a way of inexpensively avoiding using public transport at a time when people are being asked to keep two metres away from others.
The cycle to work scheme is a government-approved salary sacrifice initiative allowing you to hire a bike and accessories from your employer for the purpose of cycling to work.
Apart from being useful to those wishing to avoid public transport during the pandemic, the hire is also free of tax and national insurance which means you can make savings whilst keeping fit, reducing your carbon footprint and spending less time in your car.
The Cycle2Work scheme will not affect an employee's pension if they are part of the Local Government Pension Scheme. There's more information on Staffnet - www.swansea.gov.uk/staffnet/cycletowork
Previous statements issued by the council about service provision can be found here.
If you are concerned you may have coronavirus you can check your symptoms using NHS Direct Wales symptom checker.
Coronavirus COVID-19 Symptom Checker from NHS Direct Wales
If you do have symptoms of coronavirus please follow the advice on Stay at home: guidance for households with possible coronavirus from Welsh GovernmentOpens new window
You should only contact 111 if:
- you feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
- your condition gets worse
- your symptoms do not get better after 7 days.
COVID-19 BSL Video from Public Health Wales
Coronavirus BSL video transcript
There are more BSL guides available on Public Health Wales Youtube account. These include guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection, social distancing and shielding.
Learning Disability WalesOpens new window has useful resources about Coronavirus (COVID-19), including easy read guides.
