Coronavirus update: 22 May 2020

As part of our gradual return to normality, Council meetings have started to take place virtually. We’ve seen the Planning and Licencing committees meet over the past week, and next month Cabinet will meet to discuss the Council’s response to coronavirus and its plans to support residents and businesses over the difficult months ahead.

Over the past two months we’ve tried to keep you informed as best we can, but because of lockdown I’ve not been able to get out and about to speak to people as I’d like. I know there are a lot of questions out there, both about what’s happening now and uncertainties about the future.

I really want to hear about your issues or concerns directly, which is why next Tuesday, at 7pm, I’m going to be hosting a live online Q&A. You can find out below how to get involved and ask your questions. It’d be great if you could join me.

Schools have been in the news a lot recently following the Government’s announcement that they can begin opening to more pupils from next month. The Council wants schools to re-open as soon as possible but only when it is safe for them to do so. Ensuring the safety of our hard-working teachers, parents and young people is our highest priority.

We have written to all headteachers in the borough offering our support and outlining our expectations. We will support all schools in their decision making regarding their re-opening and re-integration of staff and young people, when those decisions are supported by a robust risk assessment. These judgement calls are best made on case-by-case basis - some schools may be able to welcome back year groups quickly, while others may need more time. Schools will be writing to all parents sharing their plans for re-opening.

Have a great bank holiday, and remember to follow the social distancing guidance to keep yourself and others safe.

There will be no waste, recycling or garden waste collections on Monday 25 May due to the spring bank holiday. Household collections will take place the following day, Tuesday 26 May and all collections during the week will be a day later, as below:

Usual collection day                                                             Revised collection day

Monday 25 May                                                                      Tuesday 26 May

Tuesday 26 May                                                                     Wednesday 27 May

Wednesday 27 May                                                                Thursday 28 May

Thursday 28 May                                                                    Friday 29 May

Friday 29 May                                                                         Saturday 30 May

Residents living in both flats and flats above shops will also have collection days move to the following day as outlined above.

The waste and recycling service schedule will revert to normal on Monday 1 June 2020.

For further information see here.

Hounslow Council are reminding residents that Space Waye Reuse and Recycling Centre is for strictly essential use only. It is not a return to normal operations as important social distancing measures have been introduced to keep visitors and staff safe. Full Space Waye guidance can be viewed here.

Long queues have been witnessed all week, with vehicles queuing for between 2-3 hours to gain entry to the site, which is operating at a reduced capacity of two vehicles on site at any given time due to the social distancing measures.

Staff managing queues have had to restrict vehicles from joining queues at busy times – this is when the volume of waiting vehicles begins to impact other trading estate visitors.

As per Government guidance Household Waste and Recycling Centres are for essential use only, so please only visit if storing waste at home could cause injury or illness and take advantage of regular collections and Bulky and Garden Waste services to manage waste in meantime.

Dan Mason Drive in Dukes Meadows has been closed at a location where the road is narrow and visibility is poor, to prioritise the safety of those travelling by bike and on foot to this popular park, and to ensure there is enough space for these users to adhere to social distancing guidelines.

The road is closed at the railway bridge and the closure will be in place for a minimum of six months. All premises in the park can be still be accessed by vehicle if required, either via Riverside Drive or Dan Mason Drive.

Read more here. 

We want to helping London’s teaching professionals, parents and guardians, children and young people travel safely back to school, as more of them begin to more expand their opening.

To enable social distancing of two metres, public transport will have severely reduced capacity, even when 100 per cent of services are operating fully. This means public transport should be avoided wherever possible, to free up the limited space available to those who have no alternative way to travel, and that those who can should walk or cycle instead.     

We are advising the following safer travel guidance for parents and students:  

• Walk, cycle or scoot to school wherever possible 
• Use local Streetspace improvements, which include widened footpaths and cycle lanes, to help maintain social distancing when travelling  
• Avoid busy stations and interchanges, if using public transport. Please plan ahead and allow more time for your journey as travelling at the busiest times may take longer than it would normally, as queuing is likely. To help with this, please check tfl.gov.uk where you will find advice and information of how the network will operate differently 

If using public transport, or taxi and private hire services, please use a facial covering, carry a hand sanitiser and wash your hands before and after you travel. Follow the advice on maintaining social distancing and act on the instructions of staff, who are there to help prevent crowding on the transport network.

The Government has published a useful Q&A guidance document which aims to answer common questions in relation to the cancellation of GCSEs, AS and A levels due to the coronavirus outbreak in 2020.

You can read the guidance here. 

The Government will be launching a new online service on 26 May for small and medium-sized businesses to recover coronavirus related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP) payments they have been made to current or former employees.

The Coronavirus Statutory Sick Pay Rebate Scheme was announced this week part of a package of support measures for businesses affected by the coronavirus outbreak. 

UK Coaching has teamed up with mental health charity Mind and Sport England to make its Mental Health for Sport and Physical Activity free online.

The course will be accessible via the organisation’s learning and development platform and will remain free of charge until 31 August 2020, visit ukcoaching.org.