Somerset West & Taunton closes
Somerset West & Taunton has now followed Mendip, Sedgemoor and Somerset County Council in closing offices and stopping council meetings.
In a statement the council notes “Following the latest government advice to prevent the spread of the Coronavirus SWT has closed its offices to protect our community and staff.
Many of our services can be accessed online at www.somersetwestandtaunton.gov.uk
If you have a homeless emergency please call the free phone number 0808 164 5186
If you still need to see someone face to face please call our customer services 0300 304 8000 between 8am – 6pm to make an appointment.”
A curiosity is that SW&T is now suggesting that they continue using paper can increase risk of the virus spreading. They note “Customers can help us through this unprecedented time by using our online services and not communicating via paper post as far as possible.”
This is somewhat at odds with World Health Organisation advice which has a Q&A as follows:
Is it safe to receive a package from any area where COVID-19 has been reported?
Yes. The likelihood of an infected person contaminating commercial goods is low and the risk of catching the virus that causes COVID-19 from a package that has been moved, travelled, and exposed to different conditions and temperature is also low.