Mendip District Council's offices in Shepton Mallet will re-open in early August for face-to-face visitors.

But with Covid variants circulating in communities, customers are encouraged to contact the council online or by telephone in the first instance, for safety reasons.

Those who need to talk to staff in person will find the council campus open from Monday August 2 and operating Mondays to Fridays, 10am until 2pm.

To ensure visitors are seen quickly, Mendip will operate a "meet and greet" system, with staff stationed at the main entrance to assess and direct enquiries.

Customers are asked to wear masks unless medically exempt, and to maintain two metres' social distancing from other visitors and staff. The council will be carrying out additional cleaning within these public spaces.

As lockdown lifts, and Covid rates settle in the weeks and months ahead, council opening hours will be extended.

The majority of council staff will continue to work remotely for the time being, to ensure the risks associated with virus transmission, as well as any need to self-isolate, are reduced. This decision ensures the council can provide its services without interruption.

Mendip has pledged to continue its "hybrid" offer and will livestream all public council meetings for the foreseeable future.

Public participation is encouraged online, but a limited number of public participants and observers will be able to attend the meetings in person by prior arrangement. Councillors must attend meetings in person however, in order for a vote to legally count.

Many of Mendip's services let you "self-serve" online – you can request, report or check things without the need to call or to visit.

You'll find links to our online forms and systems on the relevant service webpages at www.mendip.gov.uk.