Face Coverings On Public Transport

From 10 July 2020 it’s the law that passengers and staff on public transport in Northern Ireland must wear a face covering:

– on bus, coach and train services
– in public transport stations
– in indoor areas of a ferry and outdoor areas where you can’t keep two metres social distance

This law does not apply to tour coaches and taxis or private hire vehicles but some operators may have their own rules you should follow.

Although face coverings may not prevent you from becoming infected with the virus, they help prevent people who don’t know they have the virus spreading it to others.

By wearing a face covering you are are showing your support and consideration for other passengers and staff and playing your part to prevent transmission of the virus.

You don’t have to wear a face covering:

– on school transport
– if you are under the age of 13
– if you are a member of staff and are behind a protective screen
– if you are a passenger or a member of staff and have a reasonable excuse

For further information visit:
https://www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/coronavirus-covid-19-face-coverings

The fight is not over! Social distancing is an essential part of slowing the spread of #COVID19 and saving lives. Play your part and keep your distance.

Get the facts at http://pha.site/coronavirus

From Thursday 2 July the Strangford Lough Ferry Service timetable will be extended by 1 hour.

The last sailing from Strangford now at 7.00pm and from Portaferry now at 7.15pm daily. There will be a break from noon until 2pm each day.

Further details at www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/strangford-ferry-timetable.

Re-Opening Thursday 2 July

Times:
Thursday to Friday: 9am to 4pm (last entry 3.50pm)
Saturday 9am to 4.30pm (last entry 4.20pm)

Access arrangements: Due to the size and location of the site, you must pre book your visit 48 hours in advance. Bookings will be in slots of 10 minutes. To book an appointment please phone 07747 131 913 between 10am and 4pm Monday to Friday. The booking line will be live at 10am on Monday 29 June.

Vehicles must attend strictly on time for entry. Late comers will not be admitted and will have to re book their appointment. We are expecting a large number of bookings so please attend only at the time given and keep your time on site to a maximum of ten minutes to help others gain access.

At this time only cars will be allowed onto the site – no vans permitted (vans can use the Comber, Bangor and Newtownards sites with a permit).

NB: only two people per vehicle will be allowed access.

For further information:-
https://www.ardsandnorthdown.gov.uk/resident/bins-and-recycling/recycling-centres/hrcs-during-covid19-important-information

If you live in Portaferry and are in need of some help or guidance contact one of the following organisations.

If you need advice on issues such as debt, benefit entitlement, employment issues, Covid-19 related issues or completing forms, then help is available from the following:-

Portaferry and Ards Peninsula

Community Advice Ards and North Down
Tel: 0300 123 9287
Email: advice@caand.co.uk


Strangford, Downpatrick, Killyleagh, Ardglass

Community Advice Newry Mourne and Down
Tel: 0300 30 30 306
Email: advice@advicenmd.com


All calls will be treated in confidence. If no-one answers when you call, leave a message and they will call you back.

Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel advice

You should not travel abroad unless it’s essential. If you plan to travel in the weeks and months ahead, keep up-to-date with the latest advice for the country you plan travelling to. There is guidance for Northern Ireland residents who are either travelling overseas or returning to NI from abroad.

Advice for returning travellers

From Monday 8 June, new rules for entering or returning to the UK become law,

The rules apply to people who live in NI and visitors to NI.

You will not need to self-isolate for 14 days if you’re travelling to NI from within the CTA, that is: England, Scotland and Wales, The Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

However, if you arrive in NI and have been outside the CTA within the last 14 days, then you will need to self-isolate for the remainder of the 14-day period, starting from when you arrived in the CTA.

You will also need to complete a contact detail declaration form if you’re travelling from the Republic of Ireland, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man and have been outside the CTA in the last 14 days.

Some travellers will be exempt from the new rules and this means they will not need to provide their journey or contact details or self-isolate.

It is, however, important to note that the exemptions do not apply if you’re travelling for personal reasons or if you have symptoms of coronavirus. Anyone who has symptoms of a cough, fever or loss of smell or taste must self-isolate.Full details and information is available by clicking here.

If you need assistance with applying for benefits etc., then contact Community Advice Ards and North Down who can advise on COVID-19 related queries as well as food boxes, benefits, employment, debt, housing, consumer etc;

Advisers are ready to take your calls. Leave a voicemail and they will get back to you as quickly as possible. You can also send an email enquiry via our website www.caand.co.uk

If you live in Portaferry and need help during the Coronavirus Pandemic see information below for further details.