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COVID-19
Important Information For You And Your Household
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 Thank you for subscribing to receive email updates from Brentwood Borough Council.
Below is some important information as well as links to get advice and support.
Tier 3 – Very High Alert
Due to a rise in COVID-19 infections the government has announced that most of Essex, including Brentwood will move to Tier 3 from 00:01 GMT on Wednesday 16 December.
This means;
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you must not meet socially indoors or in most outdoor places with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, this includes in any private garden or at most outdoor venues
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you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 in some other outdoor public spaces, including parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, a public garden, grounds of a heritage site or castle, or a sports facility – this is called the ‘rule of 6’
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hospitality settings, such as bars (including shisha venues), pubs, cafes and restaurants are closed – they are permitted to continue sales by takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.
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accommodation such as hotels, B&Bs, campsites, and guest houses must close. There are several exemptions, such as for those who use these venues as their main residence, and those requiring the venues where it is reasonably necessary for work or education and training
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indoor entertainment and tourist venues must close. Please check Gov.uk for further details.
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indoor attractions at mostly outdoor entertainment venues must also close (indoor shops, through-ways and public toilets at such attractions can remain open). Please check Gov.uk for further details.
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leisure and sports facilities may continue to stay open, but group exercise classes (including fitness and dance) should not go ahead.
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there should be no public attendance at spectator sport or indoor performances and large business events should not be taking place. Elite sport events may continue to take place without spectators
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large outdoor events (performances and shows) should not take place, with the exception of drive-in events
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places of worship remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with anyone outside of your household or support bubble while you are there, unless a legal exemption applies
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weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on the number of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies, wedding receptions are not allowed, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, 15 people can attend linked commemorative events
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organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue, however higher-risk contact activity should not take place
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organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes cannot take place indoors. There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s
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you can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible
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avoid travelling outside of your area, including for overnight stays other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities. You can travel through other areas as part of a longer journey
Further information and details of the restrictions for Tier 3 can be found at Gov.uk
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Statement From The Council Leader, Cllr Chris Hossack
Brentwood Borough Council Leader, Cllr Chris Hossack said; “From tomorrow, Wednesday December 16, Brentwood will join most of Essex and London in Tier 3. This is the very high alert level and a move that comes from central government after considering the high rates of Covid-19 infections registered across the capital and in our borough.
Like many of my colleagues across the County I am disappointed by this move, the hospitality sector will be hit hardest by this as they must now close at would have been a peak period for them at the end of a hugely damaging year to their businesses. Personally I do not believe the hospitality sector was contributing significantly to the undeniable rise of infection rates, especially given the investment it has made on delivering Covid safe premises and processes. A few days of closure will have an immaterial effect on the rate of infection.
However, the overriding priority must be to eliminate this virus. We have the Covid-19 vaccinations now taking place in Brentwood together with Covid-19 tests for schoolchildren and their families which we hope will start to have a positive effect given the high infection rates we have seen in schools .
We must follow these new rules whether we like them or not. I would ask all residents to do this ahead of the restrictions being lifted again before Christmas.
We should also remember to play our part, restrictions permitting, in supporting our businesses which will remain open in Tier 3 so that they get the vital pre-Christmas income they need. Let us hope that, if we all do what we being asked to do that this will combat the rising infection rates."
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Support Bubbles Have Been Expanded
From 2 December you can form a support bubble with another household if any of the following apply to you:
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you are the only adult in your household (any other members of the household having been under 18 on 12 June 2020) or are the only adult who does not have a disability that needs continuous care
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you have a child under 1
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you live with a child under 5 with a disability that needs continuous care
Increase In Community COVID-19 Testing To Focus On Secondary School Age Children
Covid-19 testing for the community, with a particular focus on secondary school age children, is being increased as cases continue to rise in parts of Essex, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock.
Young people of secondary school age, particularly those in years 11, 12 and 13, and their families, who do NOT have symptoms are now being urged to ‘Test now for Christmas, test again before the return to school’.
Following an announcement from the Government, Essex County Council, Southend-on-Sea and Thurrock Councils are putting action plans in place, collaboratively worked up with the DHSC, for increased community testing in specific locations across the county including for those with no symptoms.
Testing capacity in each area is being added to and people should look out for local information from the three councils over the coming days as existing provision is improved through more sites coming on stream and sites being open more days of the week.
This additional testing capacity will be available to the whole community, but young people of secondary school age and their families are strongly encouraged to get tested.
Secondary school age pupils are urged to get tested now before Christmas, and then prior to their return to school in January as part of this increase in community testing.
You will be given the option of either attending a local testing site or a postal test kit can be sent to your home for you to do yourself.
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Getting Tested For COVID-19
Information on who else can get tested and where to get tested for COVID-19 is available on Essex County Council's website.
Find out more
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Advice and information available on our website
You can find advice, local information and changes to Council services on our website.
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Do You Need Support?
We have produced a Community Support handbook full of helpful advice and support.
Organisations or groups who need advice or support can email the Council's Community Services Team at communitysupport@brentwood.gov.uk.
If you find yourself having to stay at home and need help with picking up shopping, a friendly phone call, posting mail or urgent supplies please contact a Community Help Hub in your area/village and they can help.
Further support can be found from the following groups:
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Are you concerned about someone's safety? |
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If you are concerned that a child or young person is being harmed, neglected or at risk of this you should contact Essex Social Care on 0345 603 7627.
Out of hours (5.30pm - 9am) Monday - Thursday, 4.30pm Friday - 9am Monday, and Bank Holidays 0345 606 1212 or 0300 1230 770.
Email: emergencydutyteam.outofhours@essex.gov.uk
If you have concerns that a vulnerable adult may be being harmed, neglected or at risk of abuse you should contact Essex Social Care Direct on 0345 603 7630 (Out of hours 0345 606 1212).
If there is an immediate risk of harm to anyone then contact the Police on 999.
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