Harrow Food Bank Harvest Appeal
Key Messages from Harrow Council re Covid
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.
PCSO Lee O’Brien nominated as a Harrow Hero.
Congratulations to our PCSO Lee O’Brien of the Pinner Safer Neighbourhood Team for being nominated as one of Harrow’s Heroes 2020. Lee is well known to many in Pinner and has supported our community events.
Harrow Council
@harrow_council
PCSO Lee O’Brien – nominated for making the community in Pinner feel safe – speaking to residents, listening to their concerns and giving appropriate advice when there is a crime in the area. #HarrowsHeroes
Pinner War Memorial Remembrance Sunday Service will not take place this year.
On behalf of the Pinner Association and the United Services Club Pinner we would like to advise that their jointly organised Remembrance Sunday event will not take place in 2020.
The planning committee have sought professional advice and will be complying with government guidance to limit the risk of the spread of the corona virus.
Safe Use of Parks and Open Spaces – Covid-19 Advice and Restrictions
Safe Use of Parks and Open Spaces – Covid-19 – Statement from Harrow Parks Forum – 28th March 2020:
“It is very important for people’s mental and physical well-being that they should be able to get out and exercise if they possibly can,”
“Many, many people do not have access to private green space where they can do that.”
“That’s why parks and open spaces are so crucial.”
Boris Johnson
We are so lucky that at this stage most of our parks remain open while the parks in many European cities are closed, but if we want to keep them open, we have to follow the relevant rules. You’ve probably seen this link a hundred times – I make no apologies for posting it again.
https://www.gov.uk/
On the day I write this enclosed sports courts in Harrow parks are being secured with chains and padlocks to prevent entry.
In the short term it is less easy to secure many childrens’ play areas – it’s easy to lift a child over a low fence into a playground….
But why would you?
The hazard tape round outdoor gyms is no barrier and it’s easy to tear off and use the equipment….
But why would you?
Besides the issue of not meeting in groups, laboratory tests show that the corona virus can last for several hours, even days, on hard surfaces. Outside laboratory conditions, outside in a park, that time is much shorter, but still potentially measured in hours….
Why would you take this risk?
Can I also ask, on behalf of all the Friends Groups, that you take all your own litter home with you. Harrow Council has asked that we suspend all litter picks, again to reduce the risk of infection and, as council staff are redeployed to other vital operations, the emptying of bins and collection of rubbish from parks will become less frequent.
Cutting of grass within the parks will also be reduced, maybe to zero – they will start to look a bit unkempt, but the benefit to the plants and animals will be incredible. Coupled with improvement in air quality due to reduced traffic, your walk in the park will turn into a mini safari – take pictures of what you discover and post them here – we’ve got a team of experts who can identify them for you.
We will be able to continue to use and enjoy this valuable resource as long as we stick by the rules – the probability is that further action will be taken if we do not. And that would be so sad.
Stay Safe
Ian Pearse
The Secretary Harrow Parks Forum
Information from Harrow Council on Support and Actions re Covid-19
MyHarrow COVID 19 Update: Leader’s message; Saving lives; Supporting the vulnerable
Harrow Council sent this bulletin at 27-03-2020 06:32 PM GMT
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All Harrow Council Playgrounds, Outdoor Gyms and Sports Courts CLOSED.
A message from Harrow Council – 25th March 2020:
ALL PLAYGROUNDS, OUTDOOR GYMS AND
SPORTS COURTS IN PARKS AND OPEN SPACES
ARE CLOSED UNTIL FURTHER NOTICE
In line with Government Directive in relation to Covid-19
Pinner Fair 2020 Cancelled
Following the advice from government on Coronavirus, Harrow Council has taken the decision to postpone all organised meetings, processions and events in parks and public areas. This includes the Pinner Charter Fair.
Therefore Pinner Fair will NOT take place on Wednesday 27th May 2020.
Harrow Council Community Engagement Team Statement on Postponement of Events in Parks and Open Spaces
In line with government advice, the Community Engagement Team at Harrow Council has issued the following statement 22nd March 2020:
“Following the latest advice from government on Coronavirus, we have taken the decision to postpone all organised meetings, processions and events at our parks and public areas.
This includes festivals, parties, dog shows, religious gatherings, sports events etc.
The wellbeing of our residents is our highest priority, and I hope you will understand. If you have any questions please feel free to contact us by emailing [email protected]
We’ll keep everyone updated and look forward to resuming when the time is right. In the meantime please continue to follow the advice from Public Health England on social distancing, self-isolating and handwashing.“
Community Engagement Team