News in Sidmouth

The Devon Air Ambulance has been 'stood down' due to safety concerns for its pilots.

Despite the two air ambulances being stood down the Devon Air Ambulance Trust says it will continue to send its paramedics, with 'their specialist skills and equipment', to emergencies using the trust's 'critical care car'.

New advice has been issued to help coronavirus sufferers in Sidmouth safely dispose of contaminated items such as tissues, masks and wipes.

The advice issued by East Devon District Council (EDDC) asks residents to keep bagged waste in 'a place that cannot be accessed by other people or pets' for 72 hours and to put black bags in wheelie bins rather than on the kerbside.

Police have been forced to close Sidmouth High Street this afternoon after power cables fell into the road.

The problem was reported to police at around midday today (March 29).

A new campaign to raise awareness of domestic abuse is being launched in Sidmouth and the wider East Devon area as cases are expected to rise over the next few months due to the coronavirus lock down.

Partner agencies across Devon and Cornwall are launching a campaign to raise awareness around domestic abuse and have warned that it may increase in the coming weeks due to the impact of Covid-19.

The Government has today (Friday 27) issued advice for pet owners and livestock keepers about caring for their animals during the coronavirus pandemic.

There is no evidence of the virus circulating in pets or other animals in the UK and there is nothing to suggest animals may transmit the disease to humans.

The Government has today (Friday 27) issued guidance on exercising and using green spaces in a bid to protect yourself and others during the coronavirus pandemic.

It says: "The Government's priority is to save lives and the best way to protect yourself and others from illness is to stay at home.

Funds have been put in place by the county council to help community groups in Sidmouth which are working to support those impacted by the coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent UK lock down.

Devon County Council has launched the COVID-19 Prompt Action Fund to help provide valuable funding to organisations working in communities that have been affected by the coronavirus outbreak.

The Royal Devon and Exeter NHS Foundation Trust is "rallying the troops" for the war on coronavirus, with volunteers being called up from Sidmouth and the wider East Devon area to help vulnerable people stay safe and well at home.

The NHS is looking for up to 250,000 volunteers to help up to 1.5 million people who have been asked to shield themselves from coronavirus because of underlying health conditions.

Firefighters in Sidmouth and the wider East Devon area will be able to deliver food and medicines, drive ambulances, and retrieve dead bodies during the coronavirus outbreak in an unprecedented agreement between the Fire Brigades Union (FBU), fire chiefs, and Fire and Rescue Employers.

For the first time, all three stakeholder groups have agreed a joint national approach to the crisis. The fire service organisations say that the measures in the agreement reflect the scale of the national crisis and the urgency of the response required.

The Chancellor, Rishi Sunak yesterday (March 26) announced a long awaited financial support package for those who are self-employed.

The Self-Employed Income Support Scheme will offer a taxable grant of up to 80% of a self-employed person's income based on their tax return over the past three years, capped at £2,500 per month.