Key Messages from Harrow Council re Covid:
- Stay at home – Office workers should work from home again where possible
- Download the App, Find out more and download the app today
- Get the flu jab if you’re in one of the ‘at risk’ categories, visit https://www.harrow.gov.uk/flu.
- If you have Covid symptoms main symptoms of coronavirus –, you must get a test – call 119 or visit nhs.uk/coronavirus You should then stay at home where you, and members of your household, should isolate. You should not invite anyone to your house or leave your home yourself.
- If you don’t have symptoms, don’t get a test.
- We all need to play our part to protect the NHS Test and Trace service for those who really need it.
- We all need to continue to wash our hands, wear face coverings and social distancing where possible. Remember the Hands, Face, Space mantra.
As a result of the rise in infections it has meant that this week the country moved to Covid-19 alert level 4. Transmission is “high or rising exponentially” and one level away from the possibility of a “full lockdown”. Because of this, on Tuesday the Prime Minister announced new and strengthened measures to try to curb the spread of coronavirus. The key changes are:
- Office workers should work from home again where possible – although workers in “key public services and in all professions where home working is not possible”, such as construction and retail, should continue to go in
- All pubs, bars and restaurants must be table service only and be closed by 10pm – but delivery services can remain open
- The requirement to wear a face covering has been extended to staff in retail, people in taxis and everyone using hospitality services
- A maximum of 15 people can now attend weddings
- A maximum of 30 people can go to a funeral
- The rule of six people meeting has been extended to indoor sports teams
- Phased reopening of stadiums for sports clubs has been cancelled
This includes keeping to the ‘rule of six’ and wearing a mask where required. From Monday, the fine for a first offence will double to £200. Repeat offenders will have their fines doubled. Shops, restaurants and other hospitality businesses risk closure or penalties of £10,000 if they do not obey the rules around maximum group sizes, contact tracing and mask-wearing.
There has also been a further announcement that London will be added to the watch list of local authority areas of concern. This is a list published every Friday morning by Public Health England and although there are no new restrictions as part of this announcement, it should unlock further testing capacity which is very welcome news for London and for Harrow.
Testing
The key messages around testing remain the same and are repeated again in the key messages at the end of this email. In addition, we are currently engaging with local residents and ward Councillors about a new walk-through testing centre which will soon be in operation in Northolt Road, opposite South Harrow Police Station, so those without a car can get tested. Appointments must be made in advance and will be for people arriving on foot or bicycle only. We will be able to update more on this when we are in a position to launch the service.
Launch of the NHS App
The NHS Covid-19 Track and Trace app has now been launched and will be an essential tool – from helping pubs and restaurants stay open safely, to offering advice and checking our local risk level. It makes it easier for customers to safely check in to businesses and venues using a QR code, and be alerted if they’ve been in contact with someone with coronavirus. All businesses must now display their QR code. Find out more and download the app today
Flu vacinations
The criteria for a free flu vaccination this year are as follows: all those over 65, carers of older or disabled people, children aged between 2 and 11, pregnant women, families on the Covid shielding list and anyone with an underlying health condition. If you know anyone in one of these groups, please encourage them to book an appointment with their doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible. For more information about flu and the importance of vaccination, visit https://www.harrow.gov.uk/flu.
Harrow Council.