News from County Hall

Vaccination programme – update

The COVID vaccination programme is really ramping up, with those aged 25 and over being offered the first dose of the vaccine. Since the first jab was given in December last year, 57.5 million first doses of the vaccine have been given to more than 75 per cent of the adult population. More than half of all adults are now fully vaccinated, giving them the maximum possible protection from COVID-19. In Oxfordshire, over 765,500 vaccinations have been given.

Communications campaigns

Our new countywide campaign is rolling out, encouraging people to start safely enjoying what Oxfordshire has to offer. Using the message ‘Eat. Shop. Play. Love local’, the campaign is targeted at a range of different audiences, using social media, digital activity and poster advertising. We are focusing the messaging on making sensible decisions, actively encouraging people to meet outdoors. This reflects the increase in cases across the county. 

A new campaign focused on 20 – 29 year olds is being developed. This is the age group in which we are seeing the highest prevalence of new COVID-19 cases. The campaign will target them with messages around the importance of twice-weekly testing and following public health guidance if they haven’t had the vaccine, and encouraging those eligible to have the jab. This will begin to be rolled out next week.

Step four – the plan as we know it

On 21 June, the government hopes to be in a position to remove all legal limits on social contact. It also hopes to reopen any remaining premises, including nightclubs, and ease the restrictions on large events and performances that apply now in step three. This will be subject to the results of a scientific events research programme, which has been testing the outcome of certain pilot events through the spring and summer – trialling the use of testing and other techniques to cut the risk of infection. The same events research programme will guide decisions on whether all limits can be removed on weddings and other life events.

A reminder of the current rules

• You can socialise indoors in a group of up to six people or two households, including for overnight stays. Each household can include a support bubble, if eligible.
• Up to 30 people can meet outside. 
• Indoor hospitality venues such as restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes can open.
• Indoor entertainment and attractions such as cinemas, theatres, concert halls, bowling alleys, casinos, amusement arcades, museums and children’s indoor play areas can open.
• Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can open for groups of up to six people or two households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible).
• New guidance on social distancing when meeting friends and family will encourage you to exercise caution and take personal responsibility to keep you and your loved ones safe. 
• People will be able to attend indoor and outdoor events, including live performances, sporting and business events. Attendance will be capped.
• Organised indoor sport will be able to take place for all (this includes gym classes). 
• Funeral attendance will no longer be limited to 30 people, but will be determined by how many people the COVID-secure venue can safely accommodate with social distancing. 
• Weddings, wakes, bar/bat mitzvahs, christenings and other commemorative events can take place with up to 30 people. 
• Up to five named visitors (two at any one time) can visit care home residents, providing visitors test negative for COVID-19.
• All higher education students will be able to access in-person teaching.
• Support groups and parent and child group gathering limits will increase to 30 people (not including under 5s)

Travel – check before you go

Travel arrangements are being changed all the time, for example, Portugal has now moved to the amber list for international travel – so it’s worth checking all the time if you have plans to go abroad. The rules for entering England change depending on where you have travelled from outside the UK. There will be different rules to follow if you’re entering Scotland, entering Wales or entering Northern Ireland. The government is strongly discouraging us all from all unnecessary travel to red or amber list countries or territories, for example for leisure purposes. People who live in England who have had a full vaccine course (two doses), will be able to demonstrate their COVID-19 vaccination status for outbound international travel to countries where this is recognised.

Residents warned against financial scams 

Residents are being advised to be on their guard against criminals and scammers, who continue to target communities in Oxfordshire. The warning comes as part of Scams Awareness Fortnight, which launches on 14 June. Our trading standards team has received recent reports of scams targeting people using emails, text messages and social media, pretending to be their bank or HMRC, inviting them to join investment schemes or ‘verify’ their information. To read more about different types of scams and tips to avoid being scammed read the news story on our website. Free online training is also available on the Friends Against Scams website.

Fusion Processing selected for new driverless minibus trial at Milton Park
Staff working at Milton Park near Didcot will soon benefit from an automated driving public transport service in Britain after we signed an agreement to procure an electric, self-driving minibus with partner Fusion Processing. The council, as the highways authority, is part of a successful consortium, awarded funding of £2.5 million from Innovate UK for its project known as MultiCAV (Multi connected and autonomous vehicle). The MultiCAV project means travellers to and from the business park will be able to book a combination of travel options (shuttle buses, taxis, e-bikes and the Fusion minibus) from a single place. You can read more about this story on our website.
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New programme helps our vulnerable residents move more

A new countywide programme will support hundreds of Oxfordshire residents most affected by COVID-19 to move more and protect their health and wellbeing. ‘Move Together’ is co-ordinated by Active Oxfordshire and district councils across the county and will provide personalised support for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable and who have been shielding as a result of COVID-19. A wide range of support and activity choice will be available, including home activity packs, phone calls, community activities, exercise sessions for specific conditions, digital apps and much more. The support provided will be personalised to each individual based on their specific needs, provided by physical activity specialists. For more information about Move Together, visit Active Oxfordshire’s website.

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