A central information point for coronavirus help offered and needed in Wells is being set up, while a meeting on 5G in the city has been cancelled and a charity has temporarily closed its services due to the outbreak.

The idea behind the central information point is that people need to get in touch with each other, don't overlap and work together to come up with a good system - ideally with a dedicated phone number for people to ring, as well as a Facebook page.

Spokesperson Sue Jones said: "If anyone would like to contact me to share what they are doing so we can co-ordinate, that would be great.

"Meanwhile, Spark Somerset, which co-ordinates volunteer work in Somerset, is tomorrow (March 18) launching a new website specifically to help communities deal with this challenge.

"They have worked incredibly fast on this, and will this evening decide its name. Anyone wanting to get in touch, please ring me on 01749 676 216 or 07902 318242 or email me on [email protected]."

Meanwhile, a public meeting about the need for better broadband and mobile phone signal in Wells, how it can be met, and concerns about the safety for health of 5G technology has been cancelled. 

The venue would have been the ballroom of Wells Town Hall from 10am to noon on Saturday, March 28. It was organised by Councillor Philip Welch on behalf of Wells City Council.

He said: "We had to make this decision In view of the new instructions from the government on the coronavirus crisis."

Councillor Welch had invited a panel to answer questions from residents. They included Mark Swann, a physicist with expert knowledge of radio wave technology who says 5G is no danger to health; Dr Andrew Tresidder, a Somerset GP who takes a different view; Wells county councillor Tessa Munt and Judith Ludovino from Wells Chamber of Commerce and Tourism.

Also, mental health charity Heads Up, which is based in South Horrington, is temporarily suspending its service.

A spokesperson said: "Having considered the most recent published guidelines on Covid-19, Heads Up has taken the difficult decision to temporarily close our service to clients from 4pm this afternoon (March 17).

"Our Carers Groups that currently operate in Wells and Shepton Mallet will also temporarily cease.

"We are currently in the process of contacting those that we support to offer them alternative support such as telephone support, shopping support and collecting medications from the pharmacy for those who are unable to go out and about.

"Our Board of Trustees and our service director will continue to monitor future updates issued by the government and will react accordingly, keeping you up to date as and when we make decisions going forward. For the foreseeable future staff will be available in the service should you wish to contact us."