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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.
Statement from Cllr Chris Hossack, Leader of Brentwood Borough Council
The Essex Resilience Forum has declared a ‘major incident’ as the NHS and healthcare systems in the county face increased pressure from the steep rise in Covid-19 cases (further detail below).
With the New Year approaching and Essex in Tier 4 restrictions, Brentwood Borough Council Leader, Cllr Chris Hossack is asking residents to continue being vigilant.
“Data shows us that the rate of Covid-19 infections is extremely high in our Borough. However, this partly reflects the fact that the number of tests taking place has also increased. Nevertheless, it is vital that we continue to follow the Tier 4 restrictions particularly as the county is under a ‘major incident’ as declared by the Essex Resilience Forum. This step has been taken to enable the county to access more Government support for our local health service and has come about because of the huge pressures now facing our NHS. We should continue to make every effort to protect our NHS as best we can. While I am sure many of you are looking forward to a brighter 2021, please ensure you mark the New Year in line with the Tier 4 restrictions. News that the Oxford vaccine has been approved, together with the ongoing vaccination programme taking place at the Brentwood Centre means that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Let’s continue to do our best to support the NHS and our hospitals at Broomfield, Queen’s, Basildon and Southend by sticking to the rules.
I wish you all a safe, healthy New Year and look forward to seeing off this virus in 2021”
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Tier 4: Stay At Home
Following the Governments tier review yesterday (30 December), Brentwood will remain in Tier 4.
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That you cannot leave or be outside of the place you are living unless you have a reasonable excuse.
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You cannot meet other people indoors, including for New Year celebrations, unless you live with them or they are part of your support bubble.
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Outdoors, you can only meet one person from another household.
You should minimise time spent outside your home. When around other people, stay 2 metres apart from anyone not in your household - meaning the people you live with - or your support bubble. Where this is not possible, stay 1 metre apart with extra precautions (e.g. wearing a face covering).
Further information is available at gov.uk
School Contingency Plans To Be Implemented As COVID-19 Cases Rise
The government has triggered the education contingency framework, which will see primary schools in many areas of Essex, including Brentwood, move to remote education. Children of critical workers and vulnerable children, however, will continue to be able to access schools or education settings. This will be reviewed by 18 January.
The staggered reopening of secondary schools and colleges has also been pushed back by a week.
Further information on education and childcare during Coronavirus can be found on the gov.uk website.
‘Major Incident’ Declared By Essex Resilience Forum
In response to a significant growing demand on hospitals and health and social care services across Essex, and particularly Mid and South Essex due to coronavirus, the Essex Resilience Forum (ERF) has declared a ‘major incident’ – enabling the County to seek further support from Government to address the pressures.
Local leaders from the ERF - a group that comprises the NHS, blue light responders and local authorities - say the pressures are being felt primarily in NHS and local authority services and are associated with critical care and bed capacity, staff sickness/self-isolation levels and the system’s ability to discharge patients quickly into safe environments.
The number of patients in Essex receiving treatment for coronavirus has increased to levels which have exceeded those seen at the peak of the first wave of the virus in the Spring. These levels are likely to increase further in the coming days.
Anthony McKeever, Executive Lead for Mid and South Essex Health and Care Partnership, said:
“We are taking every action possible within the NHS and across the wider health and social care partnerships in Essex to limit the impact on the NHS and the wider health system.
“This involves using critical care capacity elsewhere in Essex and the Eastern region and identifying additional locations and capacity to assist with the discharging of patients to reduce pressure on hospitals.
“Our strong working relationships mean we are able to respond effectively to support our local communities.
“I would also like to pay tribute to all those hard-working colleagues who are working tirelessly to support our communities across the system. They are all doing an amazing job in extremely difficult circumstances.”
Chief Constable of Essex Police and Co-Chair of the Essex Local Resilience Forum, BJ Harrington, said:
“Declaring a major incident enables us to seek further support from the Government to address the severe pressures which the health system is under because of Covid-19.
“The people of Essex have been magnificent and are only dialling 999 or attending A&E in an emergency – we need this to continue because this will help protect the very limited capacity available at our hospitals. Please stay safe; work from home if possible, follow the social distancing rules, and only travel if absolutely necessary.”
Fast COVID-19 Testing Centre
A fast testing centre has opened in Brentwood for those who DO NOT have symptoms of COVID-19.
The testing centre is situated at The Nightingale Centre, Pastoral Way, Warley, Brentwood CM14 5WF.
This testing centre is the third of its kind in Essex and will join The Towngate Theatre in Basildon and The Place Leisure Centre in Pitsea. The tests are ONLY for people that DO NOT have symptoms and give results in around 30 minutes.
As a guide, this centre is for use by people who live in the target areas which correspond to Brentwood, particularly residents in Hutton and Brentwood North.
Tests are by appointment only, and anyone booking must live in one of the areas described above. Booking can be made by calling 0333 772 6144. Lines are open from 8am to 8pm every day including Saturday and Sunday.
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Brentwood Borough Council Christmas And New Year Opening Times
Due to the coronavirus pandemic the Town Hall reception is closed and all Council services are available online or by contacting the Council by telephone (01277 312500) during the following times:
Thursday 31 December (New Year’s Eve) – 8:30am – 12:30pm
Friday 1 January (New Year’s Day) – Closed
In the event of an emergency outside of the opening times above, please telephone the following:
Emergency Council Service – 01277 312500 – This number can be used for emergencies in respect of council buildings and assets, flooding, dangerous structures, fire or accident damage in imminent danger of collapse onto a public place and any civil emergency.
Emergency Council Housing Repairs – 01277 312500 (select option 2) - Please only use this number in an emergency that is likely to be life threatening or cause serious injury to persons or significant damage to property.
Examples of emergency repairs may include: Burst water pipes, severe leaks, blocked drains (resulting in overflows presenting a public health hazard) and toilets, total failure of central heating.
Homelessness - In an emergency homeless situation out of hours, please contact 01277 261112
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If You Need Help Or Support During The Christmas Period
Brentwood Mutual Aid, part of the Brentwood Community Hub, has provided the following list of contacts should you require assistance during the festive period:
Brentwood Centre
The Brentwood Centre remains open for vaccinations but is closed for leisure purposes in line with Tier 4 regulations.
Please continue to check our website for updates.
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Your Waste Collections Over The Christmas Period
There are some changes to your waste and recycling collections over the festive period. Please refer to your calendar for information on when your collections are taking place. Alternatively, you can check using our My Property tool or sign up to receive SMS text reminders.
Please note that collection of garden waste is suspended over the Christmas period until 9 January.
From 9 January, you can present your Christmas tree for recycling on your garden waste collection day. Please ensure it is placed clearly visible on the kerbside and please cut into two if the tree is in excess of 6ft You do not need to attach a garden waste sack.
The opening hours for the Civic Amenity sites are:
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Coxtie Green – Closes 1pm New Year's Eve. Closed all day New Year's Day.
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Mountnessing - Closes 1pm New Year's Eve. Closed all day New Year's Day.
Happy New Year
We would like to wish you all a very happy and healthy New Year.
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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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