In this newsletter:
Latest COVID-19 Update
 You may have seen in the news that Tier 3 (Very High Alert) talks are currently underway in Nottinghamshire. We'll let you know as soon as we can if the situation changes.
Until then, Tier 2 (High) restrictions remain in place.
This means:
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Hands - wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds
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Face - wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet (unless exempt). Full details about how to wear a face covering correctly and exemptions can be found on the Government's guidance page
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Space - stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings or increasing ventilation indoors)
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Place – not socialising with anybody outside of your household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place. Not socialising in a group of more than six outside, including a garden or other spaces like parks (other than where specific exemptions apply in law)
You can find full FAQs on Nottinghamshire County Council's website.
Face Coverings and Exemptions
 Wearing a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, can help protect you and those around you from transmitting COVID-19. There are some places where you must wear a face covering by law, unless you are exempt.
When wearing a face covering, making sure your nose and mouth are both covered is important, as is washing a reusable face covering regularly.
A face covering should:
- cover your nose and mouth whilst allowing you to breathe comfortably
- fit comfortably but securely against the side of the face
- be secured to the head with ties or ear loops
- be made of a material that you find to be comfortable and breathable, such as cotton
- ideally include at least two layers of fabric (the World Health Organization recommends three depending on the fabric used)
- unless disposable, it should be able to be washed with other items of laundry according to fabric washing instructions and dried without causing the face covering to be damaged
When wearing a face covering you should:
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before putting a face covering on
- avoid wearing on your neck or forehead
- avoid touching the part of the face covering in contact with your mouth and nose, as it could be contaminated with the virus
- change the face covering if it becomes damp or if you’ve touched it
- avoid taking it off and putting it back on a lot in quick succession (for example, when leaving and entering shops on a high street)
When removing a face covering:
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser before removing
- only handle the straps, ties or clips
- do not give it to someone else to use
- if single-use, dispose of it carefully in a residual waste bin and do not recycle
- if reusable, wash it in line with manufacturer’s instructions at the highest temperature appropriate for the fabric
- wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitiser once removed
Exemptions
Some people are exempt from wearing a face covering, including children under the age of 11, as well as for medical reasons, lip reading or if wearing one would cause severe distress.
In settings where face coverings are required in England, there are some circumstances where people may not be able to wear a face covering. Please be mindful and respectful of such circumstances, noting that some people are less able to wear face coverings, and that the reasons for this may not be visible to others.
Full details about face coverings can be found on the GOV.UK website.
Test and trace support payment
 If you are on a low income, cannot work from home or stand to lose income if you have to self isolate, you may be able to claim for up to £500 as part of the Government's Test and Trace Payment scheme.
Broxtowe Borough Council also has a discretionary scheme to further assist local people.
Fake news
There will be lots of speculation and rumour so it’s important to be aware of false information:
- Consider the source – where did you receive the information from?
- Cross check – are other reliable platforms sharing the same information?
Follow accurate advice, from accurate sources:
A new hotline has been launched to stop fraudsters illegally targeting COVID stimulus schemes. Call the COVID Fraud Hotline (0800 587 5030) anonymously and free of charge to report suspected fraudulent activity.
Look out for your neighbours
 People in Broxtowe are being encouraged to keep looking out for their neighbours as the winter nights draw in.
Residents in Broxtowe went out of their way to look out for their friends, family and neighbours whilst we were all in lockdown. Sparing five minutes of your time and being considerate at home could make the world of difference to your neighbours.
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Say hello - If you haven’t seen your neighbours in a while, or you know that they live alone, please find a way to say hello. Just talking can make a huge difference to how you and others feel and you might be able to easily help them with something that they’ve been struggling with. Even knowing someone cares can mean a lot. Make sure you follow all social distancing guidelines.
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Offer help if you can – Some of us are able to get out and about again but others may be feeling anxious about going outside, which could leave them feeling lonely and isolated. Some people need support with simple tasks, like shopping or collecting medicines. Others might want help to get online to order something to make their life easier. Make sure you follow all COVID-19 guidelines when offering help.
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Be mindful of your actions - Please be considerate and ensure your actions do not disturb your neighbours. The volume of music, the times that you are doing any DIY and spending time in the garden or on balconies can disrupt others around you. Avoid bonfires - Coronavirus is known to cause serious respiratory problems, which could be made much worse with exposure to smoke from bonfires.
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Be a little more tolerant - With more of us staying at home, there will be more noise from children playing in the garden, or neighbours using this time to do some DIY. Try to be more tolerant of them.
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Clean up after yourself - If you’ve been in a communal area, or taken your daily walk, please take any litter home with you.
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Don’t dump bulky waste - Please be considerate to your neighbours and don’t leave dumped items for others to clear up. Dumped items cause a health and safety risk for you and your neighbours, especially at this time.
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Share information – Not everyone is online and not everyone follows the Council’s updates. We’re working with partners to get important messages to them in other ways but please help us by sharing our updates about the changing COVID-19 situation with people you know who may not have seen them. WhatsApp groups, emails, re-sharing on social media or telling a neighbour who isn’t online, are all great ways to help get information to everyone in our community.
Trick or treat or test and trace? Celebrate Halloween Safely
 As we head towards Halloween, residents in Broxtowe are being advised about how they can enjoy the festivities, whilst following the COVID-19 restrictions which are in place locally and nationally.
Broxtowe Borough Council is asking residents to do the right thing, to protect our community by not to going trick or treating or knocking on doors.
As well as protecting each other from the virus, some residents may be feeling particularly vulnerable or anxious at the moment so may not want to come into contact with others.
It’s not about spoiling the fun, but we do all need to work together to stop the spread of the virus.
Other news
Gold Award for Neighbourhood Wardens
The Neighbourhood Wardens service has retained its RSPCA Gold PawPrint Award. The award is given in recognition of the comprehensive and proactive policies and procedures with regards to dealing with stray dogs and encouraging responsible dog ownership.
The Neighbourhood Warden service has remained active on the front line throughout the pandemic collecting stray dogs and offering advice to dog owners who needed any support. Well done the Neighbourhood Warden Team.
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First Look Inside New Cinema As Beeston Square Plans Are Revealed
The stunning interior of Beeston’s new cinema has been revealed in the latest graphics from the cinema’s operator.
The Arc Cinema on Beeston Square – which is scheduled to open next year – will have eight state-of-the-art screens, with luxury electric recliner seating and laser digital projection with 3D capability.
All the screens feature a Dolby Digital sound system and will be fully licensed so customers can enjoy a drink whilst watching their film.
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Five Broxtowe Parks and Open Spaces Retain Green Flag Award
Usually announced in July, this year the awards were delayed due to the coronavirus pandemic. Now announcements have been made, Bramcote Hills Park celebrates 14 consecutive years of the award and Colliers Wood has reached 12 consecutive years of the accreditation.
Bramcote Hills Park, Colliers Wood, Moorgreen, Alexandrina Plantation/Sandy Lane, Bramcote, Brinsley Headstocks and The Old Church Tower, Bramcote are all recognised again and retain the prestigious Green Flag Award.
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Staying up to date
The easiest way to stay up to date is by checking our dedicated Coronavirus webpages.
They contain useful information on:
We also share daily updates on our social media accounts and will be sending you this email bulletin every Friday.
Share this
Please share the information in this email bulletin with friends, family, neighbours and colleagues to help us pass on these important messages, particularly if they're not online.
Please also encourage anyone who isn't already subscribed to this Email Me Service to sign up at www.broxtowe.gov.uk/emailme so they can receive these updates.
 Find the latest guidance from the Government website.
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