In your 20s? You’re at risk of passing it on to more vulnerable people Cases of Covid-19 among people in their 20s are on the rise, even in Barking and Dagenham, according to the latest Public Health England data. In the last week, a third of all cases of Covid-19 have been aged 20-29. Even if you’re in a low risk age group like your 20s, it’s really important that you still follow government advice and play your part in keeping your relatives and London Safe. If you catch the virus you might recover (but there’s evidence it leaves long term effects), but you risk passing it on to people who could get really ill and ultimately die.  When you’re out and about, please remember to wear your face covering properly (covering your mouth and nose) and dispose of it responsibly when you return home. Please also continue to wash your hands regularly. And if you’re catching up with friends, please make sure you follow the social-distancing rules to help keep your friends and family safe. No kissing or hugging no matter how tempting it might be. Find out more here.

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New law banning social gatherings of more than six from Monday The government has announced that from Monday 14 September, it will be illegal for groups of over six people to meet socially indoors or outdoors, after a rise in Covid-19 cases. The new rules will not apply to schools, workplaces or Covid-secure weddings, funerals and organised team sports. It will be enforced through a £100 fine, doubling on each offence up to a maximum of £3,200. For the latest info about what you can and can’t do during the pandemic check out these FAQs: www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-what-has-changed-9-september

YOUR LOCAL NEWSLETTER | 9 September 2020

 

New COVID-19 testing site opens today Recently we put in a bid for three walk-in Covid-19 testing centres within the borough, to make it easier for residents to get tested for coronavirus, near to their homes.  Our bid was successful, and the first centre will be opening today, Thursday 3 September, at Mayesbrook Park car park on Lodge Avenue. The testing site will help reduce the spread of Covid-19 by making it easier for residents with symptoms of the virus to get tested locally.  Today the centre will be open 2–5pm, tomorrow (Friday 4 September) it will be open 10am–5pm, and then from Saturday 5 September onwards, it will be open 8am-8pm every day, seven days a week. If you have symptoms, you should book a test appointment immediately by calling 119 or visiting www.nhs.uk/coronavirus. You can also walk in for a test without an appointment, but there is no guarantee you’ll be seen if the site is busy that day, so booking is best. If you walk in without an appointment you will also need to bring a smart phone with you so you can register when you arrive. The site is one of three coming to the borough to make testing easier for you. Look out for more information about the other two sites which will be coming soon. You can find out more about the testing sites here.

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Interested in a career in health and social care? Then come on down Are you interested in a career in health and social care? If so, you are invited to attend an online careers fair in September. The event, which will give participants access to a number of employers and live vacancies will take place on Thursday 17 September, from 10am to 11am and will take place via Microsoft Teams, so access to a computer is essential. Residents interested in taking part will need to book a place by email to: vacancies@lbbd.gov.uk

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme extended  The Government today announced that self-employed people whose income has been affected by the coronavirus pandemic will be able to claim a second payment from the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme. Applications for the second final grant worth up to £6.570 went live today.

Ayoub, “Local elections don’t matter”  I can’t count how many times I’ve heard that. In normal years, it’s wrong. But next year it couldn’t be further from the truth.  That’s because with the 2020 local elections rightly suspended, we now face the colossal challenge of a double election round next year.  Which means I urgently need your help to double our resources to fight these unprecedented elections >> Make a Donation There simply isn’t a replacement to a well resourced campaign. And next year there will be thousands:  Over 5,000 council elections – many in areas which voted Conservative for the first time in 2019, making it vital we stand in every seat.  40 Police and Crime Commissioners – these elections will decide how our police are run, and with the Opposition's track record we can’t risk abandoning any candidate.  13 mayoral contests – which will decide if our levelling up agenda can truly be enacted across the entire country.  Scottish and Welsh parliamentary elections – where it’s vital we hold the SNP and Welsh Labour to account and defend our Union.  Ayoub, unless we can double our resources we won’t be able to rise to this challenge >> Donate £10 Donate £25 Donate £50 Donate Other Amount These elections aren’t just a test for us but for Labour too. Because for the first time Keir Starmer will be forced to step out of his bubble and speak to real voters. So Ayoub, if you can help, we need to start preparing today. Will you donate to my urgent appeal and allow us to rise to this challenge >> I know with you by my side we can succeed again. Yours sincerely,  Boris Johnson Leader of the Conservative Party

Book in a time to register your baby’s birth Have you had a new arrival during lockdown and you’ve been waiting for the moment that you can actually register them? Firstly, congratulations! Secondly we’ve got some great news, as from Monday 27 July you will be able to book a registration appointment for your baby. Due to social distancing and reduced office space, we will only be registering births from Monday to Thursday, which may mean you have to wait a bit longer than usual so please bear with us. Please also be aware, that if your child was born at Queen’s Hospital, you can also book an appointment with Havering Council. Find out more here.

Beware of Test & Trace Scammers While it’s really important that you get tested if you have coronavirus symptoms, please stay alert about coronavirus scams. We’re hearing reports that unscrupulous people have been calling residents and posing as NHS employees. Please remember, the coronavirus test is FREE so do not give anyone your card or bank details.  If you think you are being scammed you can call Action Fraud, by calling 0300 123 2040 or by visiting its website

The Wall of Shame is BACK! We’re determined to win the war against fly tipping and we won’t take any prisoners in the process! That’s why, after a short break due to covid-19, we’re bringing our award-winning Wall of Shame series back, to once again name and shame the few people dumping their rubbish on our streets, ruining the borough for everyone else. And it doesn’t stop there! From today, you’ll start seeing two different types of signage at fly tipping hotspots across the borough, to warn off offenders by letting them know our cameras are watching them and they’ll appear on the Wall of Shame! You’ll also see signs challenging the people who don’t seem to care about dumping rubbish, by asking them if they: •    are too lazy to go to a bin or recycling centre •    don’t care about the local area •    think other people should clear up after them Or is it just because they’re a ‘tosser’? The hotspots have been specifically chosen by our enforcement officers and our street cleansing team based on the amount of fly tipping and reports from residents

YOUR LOCAL NEWSLETTER | 22 July 2020 Free parking for NHS staff and key workers extended Life might be starting to get back to some kind of normality (ish) but there are still hundreds of our residents working in the fight against coronavirus, so that’s why we have decided to extend their free parking to the end of September. When lockdown was announced we recognised the important role NHS staff, key workers and volunteers would play in keeping residents safe, and offered free parking permits to help make their lives easier during the pandemic. So far, we’ve handed out over 1,600 free permits. If you work on the frontline, are a carer or recognised volunteer, you can apply for a free parking permit by heading here.

YOUR LOCAL NEWSLETTER | 2 July 2020 Coronavirus cases in our borough – setting the record straight! You may have seen false reports in a couple of the national papers this week around a ‘big’ increase in Covid numbers in our borough. This is not the case. We’ve had 513 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the borough since the pandemic began, and compared to our neighbouring boroughs, where there have been 733 cases in Havering and 779 in Redbridge, our numbers are significantly lower. The Leader of the Council, Cllr Darren Rodwell, issued a statement about this, to set the record straight, which you can read here. The Leicester lockdown has shown us we aren’t out of the woods yet, and while some of the lockdown measures are easing this weekend, we all need to remember that we need to continue following government guidance and social distancing measures, to help prevent the spread of the virus.  NHS 72nd anniversary – join us virtually to celebrate this weekend! This Sunday, 5 July, is the 72nd anniversary of the NHS. 2020 has been the most challenging year in our NHS’s history and this weekend, we are joining the rest of the nation in marking its birthday – and you’re invited. We will be remembering everyone we have lost to Covid-19, and showing our appreciation and thanks to our amazing NHS staff and all those who have supported our community during the pandemic. As part of the NHS anniversary weekend, we will be joining other national landmarks and lighting up Barking Town Hall in blue light to remember all those that we have lost to coronavirus. We are asking people to join us in remembrance at 8pm on Saturday, by putting a light in your window or doorstep. Then on Sunday at 5pm, everyone is invited to join (following social distancing) in a minute’s silence, followed by the biggest clap for the NHS, key workers and all the volunteers who are still helping to keep services and community networks going to support people during the pandemic. Please reply to this email with any pics or videos of you taking part, or feel free to tag us on our Facebook and Twitter channels. We’re working with businesses as they plan to re-open As lockdown eases further this weekend with pubs, restaurants, hairdressers and cinemas allowed to re-open, our enforcement team will be working closely with business owners to ensure they are following the latest government guidance to make sure their premises are safe for you. If a business is found not to be complying, enforcement officers will firstly offer advice on what needs to be done, but if nothing changes, the council will be able to issue a Prohibition Notice and will review the premises license under the Licensing Act 2003. This could ultimately mean the business could be closed for a period of time. Businesses that choose to re-open will be responsible for ensuring that their premises are ‘Covid-secure’ and are required to conduct and implement a risk assessment, which considers the safety of their staff and customers. The government has issued full guidance online here. If you believe somewhere is open that should be closed or isn’t following government guidance, you can report it online here. New rules for places of worship   From 4 July, gatherings of more than 30 people will be allowed but only in certain public places as set out in law. This will include places of worship and their surrounding premises. There are however, activities where it is advisable to restrict numbers to 30 within a place of worship for public health reasons, such as weddings and funerals. The government have set out new guidance for those activities as well as how to ensure places of worship are COVID-19 secure. We are working with local faith organisations as they plan for 4 July and beyond. Whilst taking part in an activity in a place of worship or surrounding grounds, you should adhere to social distancing guidelines. More details on the government’s new guidance can be found here.  Use our green spaces responsibly This weekend will understandably be exciting for some residents, especially if you plan to make the most of the lockdown easing a bit. But we need residents to be sensible. If you are planning to spend time in our parks and green spaces, all we ask is that you continue to use them in the right way - when you do your exercise or you meet a small number of friends and family, you must continue with social distancing rules. Please don’t meet in large groups in our parks or have barbecues as they are not allowed. This isn’t just at the moment – BBQs are a fire hazard, so aren’t allowed in our parks even outside of lockdown. We’re also working on plans for how we can safely reopen outdoor gyms and children’s play areas in the future, with the right cleaning arrangements in place to keep everyone safe so please bear with us and watch this space. Also, no one wants our parks ruined, so please put your rubbish in the bin or take it home with you – thank you. Planning for heritage sites to reopen in the future Following the change to the government’s guidance around the re-opening of museums, we are looking at plans to re-open our heritage sites, Valence House and Eastbury Manor, in the future. Risk assessments are being carried out to make sure both sites are only open to the public again once it is safe to do so, to protect visitors and staff. While both sites remain closed for now, you can visit both their websites for some educational and fascinating online work and exhibitions, provided by the great staff who work at each site. www.valencehousecollections.co.uk www.eastburymanorhouse.org.uk

New rules for places of worship   From 4 July, gatherings of more than 30 people will be allowed but only in certain public places as set out in law. This will include places of worship and their surrounding premises. There are however, activities where it is advisable to restrict numbers to 30 within a place of worship for public health reasons, such as weddings and funerals. The government have set out new guidance for those activities as well as how to ensure places of worship are COVID-19 secure. We are working with local faith organisations as they plan for 4 July and beyond. Whilst taking part in an activity in a place of worship or surrounding grounds, you should adhere to social distancing guidelines. More details on the government’s new guidance can be found here.

Coronavirus cases in our borough – setting the record straight! You may have seen false reports in a couple of the national papers this week around a ‘big’ increase in Covid numbers in our borough. This is not the case. We’ve had 513 confirmed cases of coronavirus in the borough since the pandemic began, and compared to our neighbouring boroughs, where there have been 733 cases in Havering and 779 in Redbridge, our numbers are significantly lower. The Leader of the Council, Cllr Darren Rodwell, issued a statement about this, to set the record straight, which you can read here. The Leicester lockdown has shown us we aren’t out of the woods yet, and while some of the lockdown measures are easing this weekend, we all need to remember that we need to continue following government guidance and social distancing measures, to help prevent the spread of the virus

Plan ahead – get to Frizlands tip one hour before closing time Frizlands Lane tip and our neighbouring tips reopened last month and following Government guidelines you should only visit the tips if your visit is essential. Please also arrive at least one hour before closing times to avoid being turned away. You can get more information including opening times here. Remember if you need to get rid of old kitchen appliances, you can have them taken away for FREE as part of our pilot white goods collection service with AO – book your collection here. And you can also still book a bulky waste collection from your home if you have large, unwanted items, which you need to dispose of. This service will save you the time and the hassle of having to visit the tip.

We’re continuing to monitor the situation as it develops and will keep you posted about what this means for any council facilities affected by the changes.

Plans to ease guidance for those shielding Earlier this week, the government announced that the guidance for people ‘shielding’ from coronavirus will be relaxed again in two stages in July and August. Shielding is for those who are clinically extremely vulnerable. We know that there are lots of people who are at higher risk if they catch the virus, but the national shielding service is only for the most at risk. There are just over 8,000 people in our borough in that category.   From 6 July, people who are shielding will be able to spend time outdoors in a group of up to six people, including those outside of their household, while maintaining social distancing. People shielding who live alone or are single parents with children will also be able to create a ‘support bubble’ with one other household of any size, following the same rules already in place for the wider population. The big change will come on Saturday 1 August, when the guidance will be further relaxed so that clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield. They will continue to have access to priority supermarket delivery slots – but they should have registered online for them before 17 July. NHS Volunteer Responders will also continue to offer support to those who need it, including collecting and delivering food and medicines. The boxes delivered by the National Shielding Service will stop as of 1 August as individuals are advised they can visit shops and pharmacies. Letters are being sent from the government directly to people who are shielding, giving more information. The letters advise that the Council can assist shielders with the next steps, and we are working now on what support we can put in place to help people through the transition – if you are affected, and especially if you are taking a Government food delivery, we’ll be in touch soon. The latest information from the government can be found here.