As more people are returning to work this week, you should get tested if you are symptomatic. A Coronavirus mobile testing unit will again be in place on Friday 15  May and Saturday 16 May at Grasshoppers’ Rugby Club, Syon Lane, Osterley, Isleworth, TW7 5PN.  There are a mixture of  walk-in  and drive-through appointments available at this site.  

Eligible people for testing are: 

Our priority is testing patients to inform their clinical diagnosis 

• all essential workers including NHS and social care workers with symptoms (ideally within first 5 days of symptoms) 
• anyone over 65 with symptoms (ideally within first 5 days of symptoms) 
• anyone with symptoms whose work cannot be done from home (for example, construction workers, shop workers, emergency plumbers and delivery drivers) (ideally within first 5 days of symptoms) 
• anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus and lives with any of those identified above (ideally within first 5 days of symptoms) 

Additionally, we are testing: 

• social care workers in care homes (with or without symptoms) 
• NHS workers without symptoms according to NHS England guidelines 

Book an appointment 

You can book your appointment here. 

Anyone who shows up without an appointment will not be tested. The testing centre will be operating between 10.30am-3.30pm. 

Please note that if an appointment is not available at the Grasshoppers’ site then the same testing criteria apply for bookings at the Twickenham testing site too, and they operate 7 days a week. They do however only offer drive-in appointments. 

If you have any difficulty or any questions about testing, please email publichealth@hounslow.gov.uk 

The Government have released new guidance for anyone that needs to use the transport network. The advice sets out that if people who cannot work from home and have to travel for work, they should first consider alternatives to public transport such as walking and/or cycling. Those driving their own cars have been asked to avoid busy areas and times. 

For those who have to use public transport, the guidance for passengers on how to travel safely recommends: 

• keeping 2 metres apart from others wherever possible 
• wearing a face covering if you can 
• using contactless payment where possible 
• avoiding rush hour travel where feasible
• washing or sanitising your hands as soon as possible before and after travel 
• following advice from staff and being considerate to others 

All transport operators have been issued guidance on ensuring stations and services are regularly cleaned, making clear to passengers how to stay 2 metres apart where possible in stations, airports and ports, and to ensure routes for passengers are clearly communicated to avoid crowding. 

Since Monday 23 March, nurseries, schools and colleges have remained open to a priority group of children and young people, children of critical workers and vulnerable children.  

The Government has now set out plans to begin preparing for the phased return of children and young people to nurseries, schools and colleges, from next month.

 You can read the guidance for parents and carers here.  

Whilst preventing the spread of coronavirus is a public health priority, so is keeping up with routine immunisations to avoid outbreaks of other vaccine preventable diseases. You will usually be contacted by your GP surgery if you are or your child is due a routine vaccine, but you can also contact them if you know a vaccination is due.   

It is important to go to your appointments unless you, your child or someone you live with has symptoms or coronavirus.

Hounslow GP surgeries are still providing routine immunisations in a safe environment, if you have concerns about attending you should call your surgery to discuss. 

If using public transport, or taxi and private hire services, Government and Transport for London advice now is to use a facial covering and wash your hands before and after you travel. 

Although face coverings are unlikely to prevent you from getting the virus, they could help prevent you from giving it to others. 

Face coverings are particularly important where two metre social distancing is hard to maintain. 

Public Health England has published advice on how to wear and make a cloth face covering.  

Having good mental health helps us relax more, achieve more and enjoy our lives more. It's especially important now more than ever, to take care of your mental health during this pandemic. 

During this time you may be bored, frustrated or lonely. You may also feel low, worried, anxious or be concerned about your health or that of those close to you. It is important to remember that it is OK to feel this way, the situation is only temporary. It’s important that you take care of your mind as well as your body and to get further support if you need it. 

Here are some helpful websites on looking after your mental wellbeing: 

• Guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus  
• Every Mind Matters - Looking after your mental health 
• Good Thinking – Digital Mental Wellbeing for London 
• One You Hounslow – Healthy Lifestyle and staying connected 
• MECC Link - Simple Signposting to Better Health and Wellbeing 

Anywhere Care kindly donated colouring pencil sets for all the residents in sheltered housing in the borough. Thank you to Anywhere Care for their kindness and generosity.   

The residents at Harnage House used these colouring pencil sets and their creative skills to say thank you to the NHS by creating a beautiful rainbow tree with solar powered fairy lights in the garden. It has brightened up the green space and helped to lift the spirits of the most vulnerable residents, during these very uncertain times.  

Opposite is a photograph of the beautiful thank you rainbow tree decorated by the residents of Harnage House  

Hounslow Chamber and the Hounslow Business Taskforce are hosting their next free webinar tomorrow at 10am, in conjunction with Chiswickbuzz, on their continuing commitment to support businesses across the borough and wider community during these challenging times.  

Their expert panel will be ready to give you relevant advice to help you though these difficult times. They are pleased to announce that Andrew Hatch from TFL will be part of the panel for the next webinar.  

Please sign up here for tomorrow’s free webinar. 

Upcoming webinars: 

21 May https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_J0kosRnnTgWD7FsDmKEFfA 

28 May https://zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_2DNH3lMeQVig8eLdymNBfA 

If you have missed any of their previous webinars, you can watch them here 

The Government, in consultation with industry, has produced guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible. These 8 guides cover a range of different types of work. Many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles. You may need to use more than one of these guides as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe. Read more here 

 Also read about Health & Safety Risk Assessments here 

From today,Wednesday 13 May, you can go outside more than once a day for exercise. This can be with one person from outside your household, though you must still only exercise in groups of no more than two people and maintain social distancing, unless exercising with your household. While you’re out, always keep at least two metres or more away from anyone outside of your household.

• Please check our website in advance to see if the facilities you want to use have reopened. If you're exercising outside please ensure you are following the guidance and act responsibly, minimise time outside and wash your hands when you return home.  
• There are lots of online resources that have been made available for free to help you to keep active in your home, or in your garden if you have one, visit The Move More page on the One You Hounslow website for support and activities for all age groups and abilities.