Updated-12.35pm - 18 September
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New restrictions are set to come into force on Tuesday 22 September for Lancashire but do not include Blackpool.
The new restrictions across the rest of Lancashire are:
- Residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households or support bubble in private homes and gardens
- Hospitality for food and drink will be restricted to table service only
- Late night operating hours will be restricted, with Leisure and entertainment venues including restaurants, pubs, and cinemas, required to close between 10.00pm to 5.00am.
Residents of Lancashire, but not Blackpool are also advised to keep to the following guidance to further reduce rates of infection:
- Only to use public transport for essential purposes, such as travelling to school or work
- Avoid attending amateur and semi-professional sporting events as spectators
Further information is available on the Lancashire County Council website.
The following changes will take effect from Monday 14 September 2020:
- You must not meet with people from other households socially in groups of more than 6. This applies indoors and outdoors, including in private homes
- There will be a limited number of exemptions. COVID-19 Secure venues, such as places of worship, restaurants and hospitality venues, can still host larger numbers in total but groups of up to 6 must not mix or form larger groups
- This rule will not apply to individual households or support bubbles of more than 6 who will still be able to gather together. Education and work settings are unaffected, and organised team sports will still be able to proceed, as will weddings and funerals up to 30. This limit will be enforceable in law
- Businesses will have a clear duty to support NHS Test and Trace. From 18 September, it will be mandatory for certain businesses to have a system to collect NHS Test and Trace data, and keep this for 21 days. Core COVID-19 Secure requirements will be mandated for hospitality businesses, and egregious breaches enforced
- The government are reviewing plans to pilot larger audiences in venues this month. Planned sports pilot events will be limited to smaller, safer numbers, with strict conditions to ensure social distancing, and will not take place in areas where incidence is high
The government has also published simplified COVID-19 Secure guidance
The following changes took effect from 15 August 2020:
- Indoor theatre, music and performance venues will be able to reopen with socially distanced audiences
- Wedding receptions up to 30 guests will be permitted
- Casinos, bowling alleys, skating rinks and soft play centres will be allowed to reopen
- Close contact beauty services such as facials, eyebrow threading, eyelash treatments can restart
The following changes took effect from 4 July 2020:
- You should try to stay 2m apart from others where possible, but where this isn’t possible you should keep at least one metre apart
- Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to reopen, providing they follow safety guidelines. Customers will have to give their contact details on entry. New guidance is being issued for businesses by the government
- Holiday accommodation will reopen and people in England will be able to stay away from home
- Outdoors, people from multiple households can meet in groups of up to six
- More outdoor spaces will open including outdoor gyms and children’s playgrounds
- Hairdressers will be able to reopen
- Libraries, community centres, cinemas, museums, theme parks and amusement arcades among other venues will be able to reopen
- Places of worship will be able to open for prayers and services and weddings with up to 30 guests
Face coverings
It is now mandatory to wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets, as well as on public transport. Your face covering must cover your nose and mouth at all times.
More detailed guidance on face coverings
Houses in multiple occupation
If you've got possible coronavirus symptoms, you should try to isolate from the other people you share your home with.
This is especially important if you live in a shared home with other people, such as students, co-tenants, or if you live in a home with different generations such as children, parents and grandparents, but applies to everyone who does not live alone.
More information and guidance.
Local care home support plan documents
The weekly Blackpool coronavirus statistics are published each week and are available on the Blackpool JSNA website
The government has introduced an NHS Test and Trace service for those with coronavirus (COVID-19) or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive.
The intention of the service is to help return life more to normal, in a way that is safe and protects our NHS and social care. The service will allows tracing the spread of the virus and isolates new infections and plays a vital role in giving an early warning if the virus is increasing again, locally or nationally.
The contact tracing app will be available for download from 24 September.
More information on the NHS test and trace service
Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors
The easing lockdown measures following the COVID-19 outbreak is being supported by NHS Test and Trace.
Businesses have a clear duty to support NHS Test and Trace. From 18 September, it will be mandatory for certain businesses to have a system to collect NHS Test and Trace data, and keep this for 21 days. Core COVID-19 Secure requirements will be mandated for hospitality businesses, and egregious breaches enforcements that this guidance applies to:
- Hospitality, including pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés
- Tourism and leisure, including hotels, museums, cinemas, zoos and theme parks
- Close contact services, including hairdressers, barbershops and tailors
- Facilities provided by local authorities, including town halls and civic centres for events, community centres, libraries and children’s centres
- Places of worship, including use for events and other community activities
More information on how to collect and maintain records
Advice to smokers about coronavirus
Quitting smoking is an important way for individuals to reduce their risk from coronavirus (Covid-19).
Smoking increases the risk of lung infections. Smokers are twice as likely to get pneumonia and five times more likely to get flu than non-smokers.
Quitting smoking rapidly reduces your risk of other health problems such as heart attack and stroke. It is especially important to prevent these problems at a time like now, when health systems are going to come under strain.
For help to quit smoking
FAQ Friday – your questions answered
Dr Arif Rajpura, Blackpool Council’s Director of Public Health, will be taking part in a weekly video briefing to address frequently asked questions related to COVID-19.
As part of FAQ Friday, each update will see Dr Rajpura discuss the impact of the virus at a local level, explaining what is happening here in Blackpool and how we can all work together to stay safe.
To view each FAQ Friday video, or to find out how to submit a question, visit our FAQ Friday page.
Blackpool Council is committed to maintaining essential services and protecting the most vulnerable members of our community.
We have established a community Corona Kindness helpline for those who want to offer help and for those that need help.
The services that we can help with include:
- Food shopping
- Medical supplies
- Social isolation and loneliness
- Dog walking
If you need to access any of those things or you feel you can help, please email helpneeded@blackpool.gov.uk or helpoffered@blackpool.gov.uk.
If you need help call 0808 1963080.
Find out more about Corona Kindness
Corona Kindness hubs
Twelve corona kindness hubs are now in the process of being established in Blackpool across a broad geographical spread to meet vulnerable people’s needs.
Each hub will have a dedicated person to co-ordinate support to the people most at risk.
Find out more about the Corona Kindness community hubs
The annual bills for council tax that were sent out in March were prepared and printed before any government announcements.
We would like to thank all residents who are able to continue paying, as your contribution is helping us to maintain essential services that are delivered to all in our town. It is important if your circumstances have not changed, you pay what you should, maintain your direct debit payments, or payment plan as detailed on your bill.
If you are struggling to pay your council tax, we want to make you aware of the support available and how we can help if you have been affected.
Council Tax reduction grants
The chancellor announced additional hardship support for council tax payers in the recent budget.
Local authorities have been asked to award a reduction to all Working Age Council Tax Reduction customers.
The award will be £150 off their Council Tax bill or if less than £150 is owed in Council Tax after the award of benefit, the bill will be reduced to nil.
Working age residents in receipt of Council Tax Reduction do not need to contact us as the awards will be made automatically and a new Council Tax bill will be issued in due course.
If your financial circumstances have changed and you now need to claim Council Tax Reduction, please complete your application form as soon as possible
Due to the rapidly changing nature of the coronavirus pandemic, a number of services are to be suspended.
Some of these changes are as a direct result of the government’s guidance around social-distancing to limit the spread of the virus. The changes are outlined below.
- The reception at Number One, Bickerstaffe Square, Talbot Road is now closed until further notice.
- Note that the reception areas at Blackpool Coastal Housing (Coastal House and Grange Park) are closed until further notice along with community centres across their sites. The closures will be reviewed on a weekly basis. If you need to contact Blackpool Coastal Housing call 01253 477900.
- Housing benefit will be paid as normal and services can still be accessed online. Enquiries can be emailed to benefits@blackpool.gov.uk or customers can telephone 01253 478847 between 9.00am – 5.00pm
- The vast majority of our services will continue as we seek to protect the most vulnerable members of our community during this difficult period.
- It is possible there will be a reduction in level of service in some areas due to an increasing number of staff absences. Please bear with us.
- If you need to contact us, it will help us if you can phone, email or use other electronic means. Daily service updates will be posted on this page
Customer First
Opening hours are limited to the following:
- Monday, Wednesday and Friday between 10.00am and 12noon, and then from 2.00pm to 4.00pm.
The service will be operating in a different way than people are used to for the time being, to ensure the safety of customers and employees. There will be some necessary restrictions and procedures in place and anyone wanting a face-to-face appointment is required to pre-book.
Customer First is advising people not to drop in as they are trying to minimise the number of people in the offices.
For advice or to see if an appointment is available please use the following:
If you secure an appointment, you will receive advice on what to do on arrival and the relevant safety precautions.
All payment machines, public computers or internal phones will not be available for use.
Please visit the register office information page for updated information on registering births and deaths or getting married at the Wedding Chapel.
Worried about a child?
We are all currently experiencing difficult times and this may go on for some time yet.
Whilst things are different, we still want to hear from you if you have any concerns about a child that may be being harmed.
If you have any concerns at all about a child please get in touch on: 01253 477299
Children’s centres
- All family hubs are closed until further notice with the exception of Grange Park and Talbot and Brunswick.
Child employment during Covid-19
We have created advise on businesses that are employing children during this pandemic. This is available on our child employment page.
- Highfield Day Centres closed until further notice
- All adult, community and family learning courses are suspended until further notice.
- The tip on Bristol Avenue has reopened with restrictions Please check details before travelling.
- The Bulky Matters waste service has now restarted
- The Rover mobile recycling service has now restarted
- Household waste collections have now returned to their normal collection schedule
- If you're self-isolating and feeling ill, put any potentially infected items like used tissues or cleaning cloths into separate plastic bags and double-bag them. These bags should be put aside for at least 72 hours (3 days) before you put them into your external bin.
- All bins must be out ready at their collection point before 7.30am on the day they are due to be collected.
- Please leave your bins with the handles facing the road, ideally close to your neighbour's bins, and don't obstruct the pavement or road
Public toilets
- All public toilets have now reopened
- The Solaris is closed until further notice. Cafe C is as normal, please use the rear doors.
- The Grundy Art Gallery has now reopenend
- All adult, community and family learning courses are suspended until further notice
Layton, Moor Park and Palatine libraries are open with the following limited operating hours:
- Monday: 10.00am to 4.00pm
- Friday: 10.00am to 4.00pm
- Saturday: 10.00am to 1.00pm
From Tuesday 1 September Central Library will reopen
- Tuesday 10.00am to 4.00pm
- Wednesday 10.00am to 4.00pm
- Thursday 10.00am to 4.00pm
As with many other venues, there will be some necessary restrictions and procedures in place to ensure the safety of customers and employees. Full details are available on the library service web pages.
Blackpool Council’s libraries are still offering a number of virtual services for adults and youngsters. Visit the above link for more information.
Please keep an eye on Blackpool Libraries’ social media channels (Twitter and Facebook) for any updates.
Alternatively, if you have an enquiry please call 01253 478080 to speak to a member of staff or email: library.info@blackpool.gov.uk
The following centres are open with activities being phased in over the coming weeks:
- Blackpool Sports Centre
- Moor Park Health and Leisure Centre
Activities currently available are
To ensure maintenance of social distancing and for NHS contact and trace you must book all of your activities in advance via one of the following methods:
- Sport Blackpool mobile App for Android or Apple
- Book online
- Telephone: 01253 478474
You must hold a leisure card (pay as you go) or membership, to be able to book activities.
You can sign up for these online or request a call back from a membership advisor.
Membership payments for current members
Health and Fitness members and Moor Park Simply Swim members, your memberships are now live, and the September Direct Debit has been reduced by 33%.
Annual members, your memberships have been extended by at least the period the centres were closed.
These do not apply to any members who signed up post opening.
Palatine Simply Swim members will remain frozen until the Palatine Leisure Centre reopens, details of which will be published once the proposals are completed.
In the meantime you can request to unfreeze your membership in order to use the pool at Moor Park Health and Leisure Centre here
NHS contact test and trace
For NHS contact test and trace if you need to update your contact information we hold for you.
- All of our outdoor parks are open
- The gates to the main car park at Stanley Park are now closed at the request of police
- The park remains open to those visiting on foot, although people are being reminded to follow social distancing rules
- Children's playgrounds have now reopened
- You may meet six person from a different household, but social distancing rules must be followed
Seasider's Way car parks are closed until further notice.
Housing Options
As of Monday 23 March, the Housing Options public reception on Chapel Street will be closed in the mornings and open in the afternoons for emergencies only. The telephone lines are open 01253 477760.
More information for tenants/landlords in the private rented sector
Tourist Information Centre
The Tourist Information Centre has now reopened
FYCreatives, Church Street
The FYCreatives building will remain open but there will be a managed reception service from Monday 23 March.
The HealthWorks, Corporation Street
The HealthWorks building will be closed to clients and customers. Department for Work and Pensions services and other employment advice will be delivered via telephone interviews.
There will be a managed reception service from Monday 23 March.
FY1 offices
The FY1 building will remain open but there will be a managed reception service from Monday 23 March.
Enterprise Centre, Lytham Road
The FY1 building will remain open but there will be a managed reception service from Monday 23 March.
COVID-19 business help desk
Blackpool Council has set up a dedicated helpdesk to support local businesses during the coronavirus pandemic. The council’s helpdesk will be manned by business support experts, familiar with the needs of local businesses and knowledgeable about the business support available in Blackpool.
The helpdesk helps businesses to understand and access the package of support announced by the government. It will also work with you to identify any other relevant business support that is available.
Businesses should complete an enquiry form. The team will then respond with bespoke help and guidance.
The team will then respond with bespoke help and guidance.
Regular updates on government support for business during the pandemic.
A number of financial supports have been introduced by the government to help businesses. These include:
- Business rates relief
- Business support grant funds
- Support for the self-employed
- Support for small and medium-sized businesses
- Support for large businesses
View full details of financial support available
Applications are invited for financial support under a new £2.4m discretionary grants scheme which goes live from Monday 1 June.
The Local Authority Discretionary Grants Fund supports small businesses and charities that have fallen outside of the scope of current grant schemes - the Small Business Grants Fund and Retail, Hospitality and Leisure Grants Fund. The top-up fund is 5% of the value of those funds.
The fund will provide support for active small businesses and charities who can demonstrate on-going fixed property-related costs and suffered a significant fall in income due to the COVID-19 crisis.
For further information, including full eligibility criteria, and details of how to apply.
The government’s coronavirus job retention scheme went live on 20 April, with businesses able to claim up to £2,500 a month towards staff wages.
Employers can furlough anyone they employ, provided that on or before 19 March they were on PAYE payroll and HMRC has been notified of payment via the RTI system.
The scheme has now been extended to the end of October. Key details to note:
- Furloughed workers across the UK will continue to receive 80% of their current salary, up to £2,500
- From August, furloughed workers will be able to return to work part-time with employers being asked to pay a percentage towards the salaries of their furloughed staff
- The employer payments will substitute the contribution HMG is currently making, ensuring that staff continue to receive 80% of their salary, up to £2,500 a month
Further details on implementation will be made available by the end of the month
The government has issued new guidance to help businesses in the UK to get back up and running and workplaces operating as safely as possible.
This follows the Prime Minster setting out steps to beat the virus and restart the economy, so we can protect jobs, restore people’s livelihoods and fund the country’s vital public services.
View the guidance
Blackpool Council wants to assist business as much as possible during these incredibly challenging times.
It is of paramount importance that we all follow the government guidelines to limit the spread of coronavirus.
Where workplaces are permitted to be open, precautions need to be taken to reduce the risks; to yourself, your employees, and to the general public.
We have therefore provided a checklist for businesses, of measures that must be in place to control the risk of coronavirus.
View coronavirus checklist for businesses
Unfortunately, if businesses cannot comply with the relevant requirements, then the business will be asked to temporarily cease trading.
As of 4 July 2020, many of the businesses and venues that were previously required to stay closed to the public will be able to reopen:
- Restaurants and pubs will be allowed to reopen, providing they follow safety guidelines. Customers will have to give their contact details on entry.
- Holiday accommodation will reopen and people in England will be able to stay away from home
- Hairdressers will be able to reopen. Other close contact services such as nail bars cannot open yet
- Libraries, community centres, cinemas, museums, theme parks and amusement arcades among other venues will be able to reopen
- Places of worship will be able to open for prayers and services and weddings with up to 30 guests
- Nightclubs, gyms, swimming pools and indoor play areas remain closed
You can find more information on the changes that come into effect from 4 July on the government website.
Businesses must carry out a risk assessment before they reopen in order to identify the risks and controls required in the business to open safely with social distancing measures. This guidance should help you with this.
We have also produced a number of signs/posters that you may find useful. These can be downloaded and used as you need.
It is also the business owners responsibility to manage queues both inside and outside the premises.
Any businesses that would like advice on how to protect people from coronavirus in the workplace are encouraged to call the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) telephone advice line 0300 790 6787.
The NHS Test and Trace App will be released to the public on 24 September. For this to work successfully it will need the support of businesses and venues.
The app will be a critical enhancement of NHS Test and Trace in England. It will allow us to know quicker if we’re at risk of the virus, so we can take action, fast, to protect our communities, friends and families.
The app will provide users with local information, alert you if they have been in close contact with someone who has tested positive, and very importantly has a built-in QR scanner to check-in at venues.
As a business or venue you must download your unique QR code poster and display it prominently at the entrances to your premises. Do this now and be ready for the launch of the app
Find more information and download your QR poster now.
We are working with the Lancashire Skills Hub to make sure people have access to the employment support and skills training they need during this difficult period and to assure you that there is help available whether you’ve been:
- Made redundant
- Furloughed
- Are at risk of redundancy
- Have been unemployed for a while
Find what support is available in Blackpool to help you learn new skills, access training courses, get careers advice and guidance and get one-to-one support to help you get back to work.
All of Blackpool’s key attractions, theatres and most hotels are temporarily closed along with all bars, restaurants, cafes, nightclubs, gyms and cinemas.
Many events due to be staged over the coming months have been cancelled.
Our current advice to visitors is to follow government advice and stay at home.
The following attractions remain closed
- Grand Theatre
- Winter Gardens - Reopens 3 September
- VIVA Blackpool
- Blackpool Football Club (fixtures in the English Football League are suspended)
- Ascent Trampoline Park
- Blackpool Transport Heritage Tram Tours (will run over August Bank Holiday)
As a result of the attraction closures, the VisitBlackpool Resort Pass scheme is suspended for the months of April, May and June.
It is mandatory to wear a face covering when using public transport.
Concessionary travel
From Monday 15 June holders of concessionary travel passes, including elderly and disabled will no longer be able to travel for free before 9.30am. If you’re travelling earlier than this, you will need to pay the correct fare.
Holders of Blackpool issued disabled concessionary passes who travel before 9.30am will see an increase to their 50p concessionary rate. To bring Blackpool in line with the rest of Lancashire, the fare will increase to £1 if travelling before 9.30am.
Tram services are currently suspended until Sunday 19 July with the service 1 and other bus routes alternatives to the tramway.
Frequencies of bus services are reduced, but more bus journeys are being added from Monday 12 July
This change ensures that Blackpool Transport are still able to operate a reliable vital service for those who need to travel for essential reasons and comes in line with a large reduction in those travelling with us due to people following government rules.
More about these changes to services
Until further notice, all NHS staff can travel for free onboard the Blackpool Transport bus network. Simply show your NHS ID card to their drivers as you board. Get full information on the Blackpool Transport website.
£1.50 flat fare
From Sunday 9 August the temporary £1.50 flat fare will be replaced by a new simpler fare structure. Details of the new fares are available on the Blackpool Transport website
School reopening in September
The government are planning for all pupils, in all year groups, to return to school and college full-time from the beginning of the autumn term.
Schools in Blackpool will be open to all pupils in September.
Blackpool Council is working closely with school leaders, the Department for Education, teachers, unions and parents and carers to ensure that Blackpool schools reopen in the safest way possible.
Find out about the safety measures in place on our dedicated back to school safely page.
Staying safe online
To help you make sure your children are staying safe online whilst at home, we have put together some resources to help you maintain their safety.
The closure of schools means that opportunities for children to talk to and play with friends will be limited to online interaction. This will almost certainly lead to children spending more time online.
Parents working from home may not be able to monitor their children’s use of devices as they usually would which may result in children being exposed to extreme ideas.
To help prevent this you should look out for increased instances of:
- Exploring new and unusual websites, chat forums and platforms due to boredom or frustration
- Joining new or secret groups since isolation
- Speaking with new friends or being secretive about chats during online gaming or in forums
- A strong desire to seek new meaning, identity and purpose
- Using language you wouldn’t expect them to know
- Watching, sharing or creating films online linked to religious, political or racial hate
More information and help is available on the NSPCC website or ring the NSPCC helpline on 0808 800 5000.
Online learning resources
Blackpool Council and its partner agencies continue to support those at risk of, and those experiencing homelessness.
Blackpool Homeless Partnership (which consists of a wide range of statutory and third sector partners working together to prevent homelessness) are in constant communication. It is this collaboration of people who are ensuring accommodation, food and other support is being offered to those that need it.
Continued efforts ensure the following is in place:
- Regular street outreach by our team and partner agencies to identify anyone who is homeless or in need of support
- To date around 95 people have been temporarily housed in emergency accommodation, predominately B&Bs, to keep them safe and well
- 3 hot meals a day are now being provided, 7 days a week to the homeless via a delivery service. This ensures that they do not need to leave their accommodation to get food, keeping themselves safe and also limiting risk to everyone else
- Advice and support for those who are homeless, or at risk of homelessness via our Housing Options Team. Contact should be made via telephone where possible on 01253 477760. For emergency, out of hours support please call 01253 477600
- Those that smoke will be provided with Nicotine Replacement Therapy to discourage them from leaving isolation for cigarettes
- We’re working with Delphi (our drug and alcohol treatment services) on supporting those with any addiction needs and where possible we’ll be looking to support those individuals into recovery
- Entertainment is being considered, for example, radios being provided where there are no TVs within the accommodation. There are ongoing discussions how to support residents with their mental health through activity provision
People who are not homeless but still in need during this pandemic should contact the Corona Kindness helpline on 0808 196 30 80 Monday to Friday 9.00am to 5.00pm or email helpneeded@blackpool.gov.uk
If you are able to offer help in anyway, please let us know by emailing helpoffered@blackpool.gov.uk
If you want to donate food to the homeless please follow the link to find more information on how to do this (link to the bit on the website about Blackpool tower provision)
Advice on eviction
Ban on eviction
The government has announced that they have extended the ban on landlords evicting tenants and the courts will not hear repossession claims by landlords until 20 September 2020.
Your landlord must give you 6 months’ notice, rather than the normal 3, until at least the end of March 2021, unless the case involves a serious issue.
Despite this, you should continue to pay your rent to your landlord if you are able to.
Help with rent arrears
If your Housing Benefit or Universal Credit housing costs do not cover your rent and you have fallen into arrears, you can apply for a discretionary housing payment from the council.
You will need to complete an online application form and we will look at your circumstances, your income and expenditure and give you advice if required.
Please to follow government guidance on social distancing when keeping in touch with family and friends living in care homes and supported living services. You should continue to keep in contact with your friends and loved ones using digital technology such as video calling, social media or by phone rather than visiting in person.
The recent relaxation of the lockdown measures means that there are now opportunities for residents living in care homes and supported living to receive visits from family, loved ones and close friends in some circumstances.
Each care provider will have their own policy on visiting, but it is recommended that people should only visit in person when it is absolutely essential and visits should be limited to a maximum of two people from the same household.
In homes where there are confirmed outbreaks of Covid-19, no visiting will be allowed, apart from in exceptional circumstances when residents are at the end of their lives.
More information on shielding and protecting vulnerable people.
The government has agreed measures with the energy industry to support vulnerable people through COVID-19.
These will help to ensure vulnerable customers who may fall into debt remain supplied with energy while in self-isolation.
With immediate effect, customers with pre-payment meters who may not be able to add credit can speak to their supplier about options to keep them supplied.
This will benefit over four million customers. This could include:
- Nominating a third party for credit top ups
- Having a discretionary fund added to their credit
- Being sent a pre-loaded top up card so that their supply is not interrupted.
Any energy customer in financial distress will also be supported by their supplier, which could include debt repayments and bill payments being reassessed, reduced or paused where necessary, while disconnection of credit meters will be completely suspended.
Please telephone the relevant company if you have a prepay meter tell them your self -isolating
- British Gas 0333 202 9802
- EDF 0333 200 5100
- EON 0345 052 000
- N Power0800 073 3000
- Scottish Power 0800 027 0072
- SSE 0345 026 2658
More information
Support for children with complex needs
The Department for Education has announced that low-income families with children that have complex needs and disabilities can apply for a grant to make their lives easier during this period of social distancing.
The grant can be used towards a number of resources, such as computers and tablets, specialist equipment and educational toys.
A proportion of funding has been committed specifically for families that are staying at home more than usual to shield themselves from COVID-19, and are looking after and educating critically ill or disabled children themselves.
For further information and to apply, visit the Family Fund website.
If you have a dental issue during lockdown, it is important that you know how to access help when you need it.
All high street dental and orthodontic practices can give advice, guidance and prescriptions, which you can collect from your local pharmacy. If you are in pain or in need of support and need help or advice, please telephone your dental practice in the usual way.
If you are not registered with a dentist, you can go to the website or call the Lancashire dental helpline: 0300 1234 010 .
This may be because:
- You have severe toothache
- A dental infection
- You have noticed other changes inside your mouth such as a white or red patch
- A lump or an ulcer that won’t heal
You will be assessed and given advice over the phone, which may result in a remote consultation with a dentist.
To support NHS services, it is important that you do not visit hospitals or doctors’ surgeries with dental problems.
As part of the gradual relaxation of lockdown measures, a new NHS Test and Trace service was launched on 28 May 2020 across England with the aim to help identify, contain and control coronavirus, reduce the spread of the virus and save lives.
Effective and timely contact tracing will need to be implemented to allow a sustained reduction in new cases and outbreaks and reduce transmission. This will be achieved through a Department of Health and Social Care led integrated programme that consists of a proximity alerting app, web-based and telephone-based contact tracing service and optimised testing arrangements.
Blackpool Council's public health team have published a detailed outbreak management plan for this process
*Please note that the document does not currently meet our accessibility guidelines. We are currently working to create an accessible format to be published by mid-July 2020.