The Road out of Lockdown – Great Coxwell Support Group

By now, all will be aware of the planned Steps out of Lockdown announced by Government last month.  However, I thought it might be useful to summarise them here for ease of reference.

STEP 1 (started on Monday, 8 March and 29th March)

• Schools, colleges and universities; children and students will go back.
• Children at secondary schools and colleges will be tested to see if they have COVID-19, twice a week. Teachers will also be tested.
• Meeting people outdoors:  You can go out for leisure or exercise with:
  • people in your household - this means the people you live with
  • people in your support bubble - this is when a person on their own joins up with another household.
  • 1 person who is not in your household or support bubble.

• People who live in a care home will be allowed 1 visitor.
• You should still keep 2 metres apart.

 (from Monday, 29 March)

• Meet in groups of 6 people outside, including in a private garden.
• Meet in groups of 2 households outside, including in a private garden.
• Outdoor sports places will open up again, like tennis or basketball courts, and open-air swimming pools.
• You should still stay at home as much as you can.
• You should work from home if you can.
• You won’t be able to travel abroad.

 
STEP 2 – Not before 12th April

• Shops will open including:
  • Hairdressers and nail salons
  • Libraries and community centres
  • Zoos and theme parks
  • Drive-in cinemas.

• Campsites and holiday cottages can open.
• Indoor gyms can open but you have to go on your own or with people in your household.
• Restaurants, cafes and pubs sitting at a table outside.  You should keep to people in your household or bubble.
• Up to 30 people at funeral and 15 at a wedding or an event to remember someone.
• You should still keep 2 metres apart.

 
STEP 3 (If all goes well with Step 2, Step 3 will start on May 17th)
You will be able to:

• Meet who you like outdoors.
• But you can’t meet people in a group of over 30 people.
• Restaurants, cafes and pubs will be able to serve people sitting at a table inside.
• Other indoor places will also open such as cinemas, children’s play areas, hotels and B&B’s.
• Some larger outdoor sports and shows will be able to have people watching.
• Up to 30 people will be able to go to weddings, funerals and events to remember someone.

 
STEP 4.  (If all goes well with step 3, step 4 will start on Monday 21 June.)

• It is hoped to remove all remaining rules that are stopping people from getting together.
• Nightclubs will open and large events will be able to take place.

Government will continue to assess when and where it is suitable to travel abroad.  Currently the advice is to stay at home for your vacation.
 
Future of the Great Coxwell Support Group

Great Coxwell Tythe Barn bathed in sunshine on Tuesday 16th March.

I hope that the Great Coxwell Support Group has been able to provide an appropriate level of support to the village during the extraordinary and challenging events of the last year.  Pauline Durham and I would like to thank the many volunteers for their contributions.  We anticipate that the Group’s work will naturally conclude in June.  However, should there be a need to re-instate the Support Group framework in the future, I am sure that it will be relatively easy to re-establish the network of volunteers once more.

Prescription Collection Faringdon and Shrivenham Surgeries
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A big thank you to Jonny Farrow for collecting prescriptions throughout the pandemic.  I am proposing that, from 17th May, the routine weekly collection of prescriptions from Faringdon and Shrivenham surgeries will cease.  However, if anyone still needs assistance with this, please let me know and I will ensure that your prescriptions are collected.  Please contact me, either by phone on 01367 240142 or email burns.amanda@btinternet.com.

Another big thank you goes to Mike and Pauline Durham who have collected vegetables, eggs and other produce for many of the village throughout the past year.  And of course, our Volunteers who have cared for many people in the Village.  What an amazing village we have!

I for one can’t wait for normality to return so that I can see my grandchildren once again!

With all my love,

Mandy Burns  x