COVID-19 - Walsall News Updates

People in the borough are being asked to make sure that they follow updated advice when using Public Rights of Way and the countryside. There has been an increase in the number of people accessing Public Rights of Way and the countryside during the COVID-19 pandemic for daily exercise and recreation, and as an alternative to public transport for travel to school or work and therefore Natural England has reviewed and updated the Countryside Code with additional advice.

A letter to parents and carers from Walsall Public Health and Walsall Council Children’s Services. 

The government has announced that from 28 September 2020 there will be a legal duty on all those with a positive COVID-19 test—or those identified by NHS test and trace as a ‘close contact’ of those with a positive COVID-19 test—to self-isolate. Alongside this new legislative requirement, the government is providing funding for a new Test and Trace Support Payment scheme for people on low incomes who are unable to work while they are self-isolating because they cannot work from home. For more information, please see the help & support for Walsall residents page on our website. 

Local businesses and residents of the borough are being asked to play their part in the national fight against coronavirus by downloading the NHS COVID-19 app, which is set to launch this week. The new app to support Test and Trace at businesses and venues goes live on Thursday 24 September. Certain venues, including those run by local authorities, will be legally required to display the NHS QR code before then or face fines ranging from £1,000 to £4,000 for repeat offenders.

COVID -19 is placing additional pressures on our local businesses, but we can beat this if we all play our part and follow the rules. From today (18 September) Walsall businesses and public venues must have systems in place that collect NHS Test and Trace data and to keep this information for 21 days. Supporting NHS Test and Trace is now mandatory for businesses and public venues.