Coronavirus update: 27 May 2020

Following the Government’s announcement that schools will open more widely for children from 1 June, we have been working with our schools to plan for openings that support the needs of their community. The focus remains on the safety of children, their families and school staff. 

We will be supporting schools to make the necessary arrangements so that they can open safely and as soon as possible for these year groups, in addition to the vulnerable children and children of key workers that they already have attending. Schools will be contacting parents regarding their individual arrangements and we will update this page with information about which schools will be open as soon as we have further information. 

Secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges will also provide face-to-face contact for Year 10, Year 12 and equivalent 16-19 further education students to help them prepare for exams next year. It is expected this will begin from 15 June, with around a quarter of these secondary students in at any point. 

Find out more about the announcement to gradually open nurseries, schools and colleges here.  

The mobile coronavirus test centres will be available again this Sunday and next Monday.  

When: Sunday 31 May and Monday 1 June 10.30am-3.30pm  

Where: Grasshoppers’ Rugby Club, Syon Lane, Osterley, Isleworth, TW7 5PN.  

There is a mixture of walk-in and drive-through appointments which will be available to book on Friday 29 May.

Tests should be taken within five days of developing symptoms as this is when the test is most accurate.  

Testing for key workers, volunteers and their families:   

Symptomatic people who are key workers, any volunteers working in key worker roles, those who cannot work from home and, people over 65, and members of their households are able to get tested for coronavirus and can book an appointment via the self-referral portal.  

Testing for members of the public: 

The Government has now extended its testing programme to include any members of the public aged 5 and over. Please register via the NHS website. 

Once you register and book your appointment via the self-referral portal or NHS website you will receive a 16-digit code text message. At the testing site, you will need to show your 16-digit code text message to staff members as confirmation for the test.

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

The Government have set out a timeline for retail to reopen in June. Outdoor markets and car showrooms will be able to reopen from 1 June, as soon as they are able to meet the coronavirus secure guidelines to protect shoppers and workers. 

All other non-essential retail including shops selling clothes, shoes, toys, furniture, books, and electronics, plus tailors, auction houses, photography studios, and indoor markets, will be expected to be able to reopen from 15 June if the Government’s five tests are met and they follow the coronavirus secure guidelines, giving them three weeks to prepare. 

Businesses will only be able to open from these dates once they have completed a risk assessment, in consultation with trade union representatives or workers, and are confident they are managing the risks.  

Find out more about the announcement here.  

Read the guidance for shops and branches here.  

Small businesses and employers across the UK who have paid statutory sick pay to staff taking coronavirus-related leave will be able to claim back the money from today. 

If you’re an employer with fewer than 250 employees, you can now claim for coronavirus-related Statutory Sick Pay (SSP). You can also speak to your tax agent about making claims on your behalf. The repayment will cover up to two weeks of the applicable rate of SSP.  

For more information about this Coronavirus support measure, you can also sign-up to HMRC’s Statutory Sick Pay Scheme Webinar. 

Find out more about the scheme here.   

Homeowners struggling to pay their mortgage due to Coronavirus will be able to extend their mortgage payment holiday for a further three months, or start making reduced payments. 

The availability of a three month mortgage holiday was first announced in March as part of a package of support for individuals, businesses and the economy. Over 1.8 million mortgage payment holidays were taken up, and the first of these will be coming to an end in June. 

To give people the certainty they need, they will be contacted by their lender to discuss a way forward. Where consumers can afford to re-start mortgage payments, it is in their best interest to do so. However, if people are still struggling and need help, a full extension of the mortgage holiday for a further three months will be available as one of the options open to them. 

The Financial Conduct Authority has published new draft guidance today for lenders which will set out the expectations for firms and the options available to their customers. 

We know that Hounslow residents have been amazing pulling together and helping each other out. If you would like to do something here are some ways you can be a local legend: 

Check in on neighbours at a safe distance, particularly if they are older or vulnerable. 

Write a thank you note for refuse collectors or other front-line staff. 

Leave a review for a local restaurant or shop. 

Donate items to a local foodbank  

Do a grocery shop for a vulnerable neighbour. 

Spread a little joy by thanking someone for their act of kindness. Post on Facebook or Twitter using #LoveHounslow #LondonTogether   

It’s important that we all look after our health and wellbeing but especially important for older people with the over 70s having to be especially careful to follow social distancing guidelines. 

Staying active is important for older people and there are a number of resources to help you to stay mobile. 

• The Body Coach also has a freely available 10 minute exercise session aimed at older people and those that may be less mobile. 
• Getting out of the house and having a short walk in the fresh air will also help your overall wellbeing but remember to stay two metres, or six feet, apart from other people outside of our household and to wash your hands as soon as you get home. 
• Age UK provide resources to support older people to stay safe during this coronavirus pandemic including how to spot scams, domestic violence and advice about keeping active and busy to look after your physical and mental health. 
• Check out OneYou Hounslow for more tips, advice and ideas to move more and stay active. You can even speak to a Health Advisor for free one to one support.  

If you need support with shopping or collecting medication and have no family members close by to support you please contact the Community Hub on 020 7084 9697 or email Hub@hounslow.gov.uk.  

You can find out more about the Community Hub here.

Will your business be ready when growth presents itself?  

Work Hounslow offer a range of free workshops to support your microbusiness. The latest workshop is Developing Your Growth Plan, delivered by BrandUIn.  

BrandUIn will deliver an online workshop that enables you to explore ways to critically examine your business growth strategy and evaluate new opportunities to grow your business.   

Delegates should expect a workshop with growth strategies and guidelines which deliver results e.g. looking outwards, meeting customer requirements, and adding value.  

This workshop will be delivered in two parts over two consecutive weeks. The single booking will count towards both parts of the workshop.  

Session 1: Tue 2 June (11:00am – 12:30pm) 

Session 2: Tue 9 June (11:00am – 12:30pm)  

Sign up to our free online course today! Booking is essential. Please note these workshops are only for London Borough of Hounslow based micro-businesses.