Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Health advice and information

If you have Coronavirus symptoms:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste

You need to get tested as soon as possible

If you are getting a test because you have symptoms, you and anyone you live with must stay at home (self-isolate) until you get your result. Anyone in your support bubble must also self-isolate until you get your result.

For more information on symptoms and how to book a test visit: NHS: Coronavirus (COVID-19)

NHS COVID-19 App launched

The NHS COVID-19 app is now available and is part of a large scale coronavirus (COVID-19) testing and contact tracing programme called the NHS Test and Trace service.

The app will be used, alongside traditional contact tracing, to notify you if you've come into contact with someone who later tests positive for coronavirus.

It will help the NHS understand where and how quickly the virus is spreading, so it can respond quickly and effectively. The app helps the NHS track the virus, not you individually.

The app uses your smartphone's existing "Exposure Logging" feature to work out if you have spent time near other app users who have tested positive for coronavirus (COVID-19).

You can download it via the App Store or Google Play.

Once downloaded, you will be able to check yourself in when visiting venues such as restaurants, pubs, museums or places of worship, by scanning the QR code on a poster that will be visible at the entrance of the place you're visiting.

We will also have the posters at all of our council buildings including our hubs in Chippenham, Salisbury and Trowbridge, libraries and leisure centres.

Here's a video which explains how the process works.

COVID-19 testing update:

Following recent national media reports that some people across the country are struggling to get test appointments near their homes, our Director of Public Health, Kate Blackburn says:

Our advice remains that we encourage people to try and get a test as soon as possible if they are experiencing any sort of COVID-19 symptoms and they should isolate themselves for 10 days. Those living in the same households should self-isolate for 14 days if they or any members of the household receive a positive test.
We'd encourage people to regularly check the online portal to not miss out on the opportunity of getting a test as close to their home as possible. Booking slots are made available the evening before for morning appointments, and on the morning for afternoon appointments. We are in regular contact with our national colleagues and they are aware of the need for people to get quick and easy access to testing should they require it.

The Department for Health and Social Care say there is a high demand for tests and to stop the spread of the virus they are targeting testing capacity at the areas that need it most, including those where there is an outbreak, as well as prioritising at-risk groups. Those who are experiencing any COVID-19 symptoms - a high temperature, a new continuous cough, a loss or change to sense of smell or test - should visit the NHS website (link found above) or call 119 to book an appointment or order a home test kit.

To control the spread of the virus please continue with your good efforts to wash hands regularly, wear face coverings and following social distancing rules.

For Government guidance on restrictions that apply to England: GOV.UK: Cabinet Office - Guidance Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do

For the latest health advice, please visit the NHS: Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The Public Health Coronavirus Case website. has details on the numbers of COVID-19 cases in the UK, broken down by region and local authority area.
You can view Pillar 2 data on the Government dashboard, Public Health Coronavirus Case website..

Up-to-date information about council services

A - Z of council services affected and you can also find out the latest with council services and how you can book, pay and apply online.

Volunteer group survey

We have been heartened by the response across the county to the COVID-19 pandemic, demonstrating the strength and resilience of our communities and providing much needed support to our residents at this challenging time.

We are keen to understand more about what is being delivered at a local level to enable us to provide the support, guidance or resource that is required. We want to help ensure that individuals and groups are providing safe and effective local support to our communities. We have created a short survey where we'd ask you to add the details of your local group. Additionally, if you are aware of other individuals or local groups that are operating locally then can you please let me know and I will be sure to follow up with them.

COVID-19 Community Pack

We have created a COVID-19 Community Pack to support you and your community during the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

Within it you'll find a list of key contacts, resources and information in one place, which we hope you can share with your community to support each other as much as possible during this time.

COVID-19 community pack [531.71KB] (last updated 13 May)

COVID-19 Community groups map

Take a look at the community groups map. It shows the general location of the community groups featured in the directory. You can use the search box towards the top left of the page to find a particular location. To find out what services each group are offering, the area they cover and contact details, just click on a red star. Some groups cover a wide area so it is worth checking neighbouring locations as well.

COVID-19 Volunteer Pack

Wiltshire Council has created an information pack for volunteer groups to help them support their communities during the ongoing COVID-19 situation.

Wiltshire has already seen a large number of community groups mobilise up and down the county to support their fellow residents. The pack brings together a lot of their best practise in setting up an effective response. The Icon for pdf 'COVID-19 Volunteer Pack' [1.98MB] (last updated 13 May) includes top tips on setting up a volunteer group, advice on supporting those in self-isolation, and a range of template forms and useful signposting to other resources.

Safeguarding guidance for volunteer groups

This Icon for pdf document [144.22KB] provides information to community groups in Wiltshire where responding to the COVID-19 pandemic, regarding safeguarding, DBS checks and data protection.
This is to support groups in their work to protect vulnerable people from potentially unscrupulous people and to support volunteers to feel confident the work they are doing is safe and appropriate for all.

Community Groups: prescription collection and delivery process

Voluntary and community groups offer a vital support service for residents who are unable to collect prescriptions. Some pharmacies are able to deliver directly to individuals, however, picking up personal and potentially lifesaving medication comes with a number of safeguarding considerations. It requires a robust system to ensure safe delivery of the correct prescription to each recipient. In this Icon for pdf document [195.99KB] we set out our recommended process for working successfully with your local pharmacy to collect and deliver prescriptions

PPE volunteer guidance

We have produced a Icon for pdf protocol document [145.6KB] to provide guidance for volunteers working in our communities during the COVID 19 pandemic. It aims to help you take the appropriate precautions and protect both yourself and the people in our community from the spread of COVID 19.

Community Groups Directory

The communities of Wiltshire have risen to the challenge of COVID-19 to make sure people are supported through this very difficult time. The council has collated all the community groups we have identified so far in our Icon for pdf Community Groups Directory [1.25MB], which also contains a link to details on local food banks. This directory is updated regularly so please ensure you are using the most recent one. The date it was last updated can be found on the front cover.

In the time available we have only been able to collate this directory and therefore this is not an endorsement of the groups listed but it is for you to decide what use you will make of the offers of support at this time.

If anyone uses a community group and has concerns about the response/practice please inform us by emailing areaboards@wiltshire.gov.uk giving the clear reasons for your concern. The council wants to ensure that everybody can access the support they need. If you make contact with a group and they cannot help or you do not get a response within the required time-frame, then please do not hesitate to contact the council by emailing areaboards@wiltshire.gov.uk and we will ensure you get the support you need.

Wiltshire Community Foundation: Covid-19 Funding & Support offers funding opportunities to voluntary and charitable groups.

Community Engagement Managers (CEMs)

Our CEMs are here to support your local group. They can help you coordinate, make links with other groups and organisations and be a constant source of advice and guidance. Their contact details and the community areas they cover can be found on the Area boards page.

Supermarket/small food provider arrangements in light of COVID-19

Many local supermarkets and small food providers have changed their operating arrangements to support the elderly and vulnerable in our communities, and introduced initiatives to support volunteers. The latest information we have can be found below. This information below is subject to change and you are encouraged to contact your local supermarket/food provider for more information.

Food banks

At this difficult time, food banks are in need of more volunteers and donations. If you are able to help in any way please get in touch with your local food bank. Food banks are there to support vulnerable people in a crisis, which is usually subject to a referral from a trusted source, such as a social worker.

Food banks currently operating in Wiltshire [153.25KB] (details subject to change)

Befriending organisations

A number of befriending organisations in Wiltshire are providing support to people who perhaps feel a little lonely or isolated at this difficult time.

Take a look out our Icon for pdf table of information [152.03KB] for a list of the organisations and the type of support they provide.

Wiltshire Council-run Street markets are now fully open with stallholders now able to sell their full range of goods. Since Government COVID-19 restrictions were introduced markets were only previously able to sell food.

We are looking forward to welcoming you back to the markets but please adhere to all measures in place and take notice of the on-site signage, including staying at least two metres apart from each other and our stallholders.

When visiting the markets, please:

Stand two meters apart in queues
Don't pick up and put back items unnecessarily
Shop individually if you can
Pay via Contactless if you're able to
Don't visit if you're displaying any COVID-19 symptoms

Other measures in place include:

A socially distancing queuing system will be in place at each market for each stall
A number of stall holders have laid their stalls out differently to have a dedicated entrance and exit and operate a one way system
All stallholders have been advised to follow government guidelines around hygiene, regular hand washing and sanitising
Council officers will be on site to manage set-up and ensure stalls are socially distanced

Depending on footfall, some stallholders may decide to finish earlier than the scheduled market times (available on the Street markets page) . Corsham market would normally take place on a Tuesday but there are currently no stallholders confirmed for next week.

What dates will street markets be open?

Street markets are now back and selling all their products again, not just food.

Are any of the market not opening? If so, why?

At the moment there are no stallholders confirmed for Corsham so that won't be taking place for the moment.

Will the opening and closing times be the same?

Yes, however some stallholders may decide to finish a little earlier depending on the day's trade.

Are the markets based at the same locations?

Yes

Will the layout of the markets be different?

Yes, please expect them to be different. There needs to be at least two meters between stalls so we will make sure they are placed in a suitable spot.

What safety measures will be brought in?

A socially distancing queuing system will be in place at each market for each stall
You are encouraged to pay via contactless where you can and when it's available
You are encouraged to not unnecessarily pick up items and put them back
You are encouraged to shop independently if you can
A number of stall holders have laid their stalls out differently to have a dedicated entrance and exit and operate a one way system
All stallholders have been advised to follow government guidelines around hygiene, regular hand washing and sanitising
Council officers will be on site to manage set-up and ensure stalls are socially distanced

Will the same amount of stalls be at each market?

No, please expect less stalls. However, we are in regular contact with stallholders to see if they will be returning at future markets. Across all markets, around 80% of stalls will be in attendance and we hope more soon.

Can I pay in cash?

Yes, but where possible please pay via Contactless

Will anyone be on site ensuring social distancing measures are being adhered to?

Officers will be on site to manage set-up and ensure stalls are socially distanced and arrangements are in place at each stall for a socially distanced queue system

What about Chippenham, Devizes, Royal Wootton Bassett and Salisbury markets?

Chippenham, Devizes, Royal Wootton Bassett and Salisbury markets are not Wiltshire Council-run so please check with the relevant councils to find out about their current arrangements:

Planning applications

We are continuing to process planning applications to help keep the local economy moving, although it is possible that officers may be re-allocated to COVID-19 support work at short notice. All Planning Officers are now working from home, so please communicate with them via e-mail.

We have now stopped site visits, so we cannot currently put up site notices. Wherever possible, we are now relying on postal neighbour notifications to comply with the legislation, and third parties can continue to view details of applications on our website. However, in certain circumstances, such as alterations to listed buildings; major developments; and prior approvals, site notices are still a legal requirement. In these cases, we will seek to send them directly to the applicant and request that they are displayed. We will not be arranging any face-to-face meetings until further notice.

When submitting applications, please include photographs of the site and its surroundings. For example, if it is a rear extension, photographs showing the rear and its relationship to neighbouring properties will help the process, as we may be able to deal with some applications via assessment of the plans, photographs and online imagery. Please also ensure you do not send hard copies of applications to council offices as there may be a delay in processing these.

We have had a high percentage of applications dealt with under delegated powers for a long time, and this will continue. At present we are currently reviewing the position regarding the holding of planning committees, and note that the government has included proposals in the Coronavirus Act for handling committees, but these require the issuing of Regulations by the Secretary of State that have yet to be published. We will advise you if this impacts on your applications.

As you may be aware, the Planning Inspectorate is also affected, and is publishing updates about the impact on its service.

We have been asked about the likelihood of the government automatically extending the deadline for implementing extant permissions. This is not something that is within the control of the council and would require the government to change the planning legislation. As Parliament is now in recess, it would appear unlikely that there will be any changes on this aspect in the foreseeable future.

The service may be hit by further restrictions imposed by the government, or by sickness, and we thank you for your continued support and understanding at this time.

Local Land Charges

The Local Land Charges team will continue to operate a service as close to normal as possible, while following all the latest guidance. Many officers will now be working from home, so please communicate via e-mail on locallandcharges@wiltshire.gov.uk. Please remember that you can submit an LLC1 (Official Certificate of Search) for £30 and receive the refined results via email. Please also be understanding about delays and changes to timescales and limit queries regarding turnaround times.

Local land searches

Ceremonies
Register a birth

Can I now register the birth of my child and notices of marriage and civil partnerships?

The government announced recently that appointments to register births and notices of marriage and civil partnerships can now resume in England.

Your safety and that of our staff is our top priority, and public health risk assessments of our main buildings and registrars' offices will be completed to ensure that social distancing can be maintained at all times before we can offer appointments and welcome you back.

Any face to face registration appointments we provide will be restricted to people that are required to be there only and children are not to be brought along.

Further updates and information on when the service will recommence will be posted on this page shortly and we appreciate your patience while we finalise the arrangements.

Coronavirus: bereavement advice and support

We are currently only offering telephone death registration appointments. You must book your appointment by telephoning 0300 003 4569. The customer services officer will book you an appointment slot and you will need to be available for one hour from the start time of that appointment for the Registrar to contact you to conduct the registration. We apologise for any inconvenience this may cause but these measures are in place to protect both our customers and staff.

How much will it cost?

The service is free of charge. To deal with the deceased's estate, you may need to purchase death certificates which are certified copies of the register entry. Currently due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are restricting purchase to one certificate per registration. Further copies can be purchased once the pandemic is over. There is an £11 fee for each certificate issued. We can only process card payments so please have a card available to pay for your certificate at the time of registration.

We have published some guidance for those attending funeral services during this time:

Wiltshire Council Privacy Notice relating to NHS Test and Trace

Wiltshire Council will collect personal data, as requested by the Government, to help with the NHS Test and Trace programme in relation to Covid-19. Further information can be found on GOV.UK: Guidance maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace

What is test and trace?

COVID-19 is an infectious disease affecting the whole of the country. The virus that causesCOVID-19 is a Coronavirus. Infectious diseases present a serious and ongoing threat to public health. If not controlled, they can infect large numbers of people and, depending on the disease and other factors, can result in ill-effects ranging from relatively minor symptoms to early death.

Contact tracing is an important way of controlling the spread of infectious diseases. It involves identifying and tracing all the people who have been in contact with a person who has been infected. Depending on the nature and duration of the contact, these contacts may require advice or treatment to prevent the disease spreading further.

Processing activity

The purposes for which your data will be used:

To keep a record of who has visited our venues and when (this includes visitor and staff)
To share this information with NHS Test and Trace if requested

Information requirements

In relation to staff we will record:

the names of staff who work at the premises
a contact phone number for each member of staff
the dates and times that staff are at work

In relation to customers and visitors we will record:

the name of the customer or visitor. If there is more than one person, then you can record the name of the 'lead member' of the group and the number of people in the group
a contact phone number for each customer or visitor, or for the lead member of a group of people
date of visit, arrival time and, where possible, departure time
if a customer will interact with only one member of staff, the name of the assigned staff member should be recorded alongside the name of the customer

Please note you do not have to give us this information in relation to NHS Test and Trace, and no other information will be requested for this purpose.

Lawful basis

Our lawful basis for processing your personal information are:

It is necessary for the performance of a task in the public interest as part of this council's response to the pandemic (Article 6(1)(e) of the General Data Protection Regulation 2016).

In addition, if your attendance at our venues would reveal protected characteristics about you (known as Special Category Data) one or more of the following basis will apply.

Your explicit consent, (Article 9(2)(a) of GDPR).
Processing is necessary for the purposes of the provision of health or social care relevant to the council response to the pandemic.
Processing is necessary for reasons of public interest in the area of public health (article 9(2)(i) of GDPR).

If consent applies, the venue will let you know.

Your rights

Your rights depend on the lawful basis we are relying on.

Data Processors

Wiltshire Council uses data processors who provide software and services to us. We may use these data processors to collect or store your information.

Data sharing

Who else might we share your personal information with?

Wiltshire Council will be processing your personal information to deliver relevant and appropriate data to the (Wiltshire) NHS Contact Tracing Service. Their Call Centre will then be responsible for contacting individuals who have tested positive for COVID-19 and their Contacts. It is therefore necessary to share data for this purpose.

The Contact Tracing Service are permitted to share your information in accordance with rules set by the local authorities which are designed to ensure that it will only take place where it is necessary to do so and will consider the minimum level of information that needs to be shared in each circumstance.

Your information will be treated with strict confidence and only disclosed where it is necessary to prevent a COVID-19 outbreak by investigating an establishment for potential Contacts, the minimum amount of personal information will be shared if necessary with:

Other Local Authorities to enable Environmental Health Officers to assist the establishment and provide advice to contacts
Sub-contractors to deliver support/advice in key sectors (e.g. care homes, education, prisons, housing)
We may need to disclose your name and the fact that you have tested positive to your employer or the operator of an institution where you have spent significant time if this is necessary to avoid or limit a COVID-19 outbreak in the workplace.

Retention

We keep your personal information for the minimum period necessary. We will normally destroy information held in relation to Test and Trace after 21 days, as recommended by the Government. Please note that if this same information is already held for other purposes, it will continue to be retained and used for those purposes.

The information outlined in this Privacy Notice will be in accordance with our Retention Policy. All information will be held securely and disposed of confidentially.

Your information used for other purposes

Your information may also be used for different purposes that are not directly related to your health and care. These include:

Research into COVID-19
Planning of services or actions in response to COVID-19
Monitoring the progress and development of COVID-19
Whenever possible, information that does not directly identify you will be used for these purposes, but there may be times when it is necessary for your personal information to be used. Any releases of information that identify you will be lawful and the minimum necessary for that purpose.

Links

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Health advice and information

Concerns about a business / event not being COVID secure

Community and Voluntary information

Wiltshire Wellbeing Hub

Local Outbreak Management Plan

Social media

Up-to-date information about council services

Active communities

Adult care

Area boards, Council meetings and democratic services

Bereavement advice and support

Business advice and support

City Hall, Salisbury

Community information: support, volunteering, information packs

Volunteer group survey

COVID-19 Community Pack

COVID-19 Community groups map

COVID-19 Volunteer Pack

Safeguarding guidance for volunteer groups

Community Groups: prescription collection and delivery process

PPE volunteer guidance

Community Groups Directory

Community Engagement Managers (CEMs)

Supermarket/small food provider arrangements in light of COVID-19

Food banks

Befriending organisations

Council tax and benefits

Update: 6 July 2020

Council tax reminder letters

General support:

Council tenants

Maintenance

Resident engagement events and trips

Funerals

Highways, amenities, streets and parking

Housing options service

Leisure centres, sports and leisure activities

Libraries

More Wiltshire libraries to open soon

Markets

What dates will street markets be open?

Are any of the market not opening? If so, why?

Will the opening and closing times be the same?

Are the markets based at the same locations?

Will the layout of the markets be different?

What safety measures will be brought in?

Will the same amount of stalls be at each market?

Can I pay in cash?

Will anyone be on site ensuring social distancing measures are being adhered to?

What about Chippenham, Devizes, Royal Wootton Bassett and Salisbury markets?

Parks, open spaces, countryside and rights of way

Planning applications and local land searches

Planning applications

Local Land Charges

Registrations, wedding ceremonies, cemeteries and burial services

Can I now register the birth of my child and notices of marriage and civil partnerships?

How much will it cost?

Schools, education and school closures

Waste and recycling collections (including household recycling centres)

Household recycling centres

Waste and recycling collections

Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre