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1 June 2020
Changes to lockdown guidelines
From today, groups of up to six people from different households are allowed to meet outside, provided they stay two metres apart from each other. This can include in gardens and private outdoor spaces, as long as the two metre distancing is maintained. However, they must not meet in each other’s homes.
Outdoor markets and car showrooms are also now permitted to open.
Read the Government’s updated Q&A document on what you can and cannot do.
 The Government’s overarching guidance remains the same. Everyone must:
- Stay at home as much as possible
- Work from home if you can
- Limit contact with other people
- Keep your distance if you go out (two metres apart where possible)
- Wash your hands regularly
Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms of a high temperature, or a new, continuous cough or a loss of, or change to your sense of smell or taste.
‘Shielding’ residents must still be extremely careful
The Government has announced that vulnerable people identified by the NHS as needing to be ‘shielded’ may now spend time outdoors. This can be with members of their own household or, for those shielding alone, with one person from another household.
However, it’s important to remember people who are shielding remain extremely vulnerable to coronavirus and should continue to take precautions. If you chose to go outdoors, you must be able to maintain strict social distancing and stay two metres away from people not in your household.
Read the shielding guidance.
If you, or someone you know, is vulnerable and needs support, please contact the Hounslow Community Hub - 020 7084 9697 or Hub@hounslow.gov.uk.
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School information
In line with Government advice, many schools and nurseries across Hounslow have today opened their doors to all Reception, Year 1 and Year 6 pupils. The vast majority of schools which haven’t extended opening today are expected to do so next week.
Each school will have their individual arrangements in place and they have been contacting parents to inform them of these.
More information is available on our website.
Also last Friday, we announced that we are encouraging school staff to walk and cycle to school as an alternative to public transport, while restrictions remain in place. However, we have introducing a low-cost parking season ticket for school staff who live further away and have no choice but to drive while current public transport restrictions are in place. Read more here
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A big thank you to our local volunteers
Today is the first day of Volunteers Week (1-7 June).
We would like to say a big thank you to all the volunteers in the borough that are working extremely hard to support our most vulnerable residents. In an unprecedented situation our volunteers have made us all proud. They are stepping up in so many different ways to help those in need.
Together we can get through this! Follow these top tips if you are helping out in the community:
Keep it local and manageable
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Stick to a patch you know well
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Try to understand that people may be cautious
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Create a list of the things that you feel able to help others with
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Trust your instincts
You can visit our website for more advice on how to keep safe whilst helping others in the community.
Call your neighbour and share helpful advice
Not all of your neighbours have access to the internet to find guidance on the coronavirus pandemic. Why not help share the information to ensure everyone gets the support they need?
Pick up the phone and tell your neighbours how they can stay safe, find financial support, get food assistance, learn about service disruptions and much more.
Please refer to our Coronavirus webpages for the latest advice and tips you can pass on to someone offline.
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NHS Test and Trace
The Government has launched NHS Test and Trace to make sure we can localise where coronavirus is and stop the spread wherever possible.
If you have coronavirus symptoms (a high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss of, or change to your sense of smell or taste):
You and your household must immediately self-isolate. You should book a coronavirus test immediately via the NHS website
If you test positive, the NHS Test and Trace team will be in contact with you to collate a list of people you have been in close, recent contact with and the places you have visited. It is important you respond as soon as possible so that the NHS can provide appropriate advice to those who have been in contact with you.
You will be alerted by NHS Test and Trace if you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive with coronavirus.
This alert will come by text or email. You must then isolate for 14 days.
Learn more about NHS Test and Trace.
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Council consulting on licensing policy review
We have launched a public consultation today on a review of licensing policy in the borough and would like to hear from residents, licence holders, schools and other public authorities and stakeholders both in Hounslow and neighbouring boroughs.
Under the Licensing Act 2003, local authorities are responsibility for the licensing of alcohol, entertainment and late-night refreshment (i.e. hot food served between 11pm and 5am) in England and Wales. This includes issuing of personal licences, premises licences and club premises certificates. Read more
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New health measures at the UK border
New health measures at the UK border have been announced to guard against a second wave of coronavirus infections.
From 8 June, there will be new rules in place for entering the UK because of coronavirus. The rules are for residents and visitors.
When these rules are in place, you will:
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Need to provide your journey and contact details when you travel to the UK
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Not be allowed to leave the place you’re staying for the first 14 days you’re in the UK except in very limited situations (known as ‘self-isolating’).
You can find out more information about the new measures at the UK boarder on the Government’s website.
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New business grant for small and microbusiness
The Council’s Discretionary Business Support Grant for small and microbusiness in Hounslow launches on 8 June.
The new Grant is intended to aide those businesses who have so far not been able to benefit from funding from central government during the coronavirus pandemic.
Eligibility
In order to qualify small and microbusinesses must meet a set of criteria designed to target the funding at those businesses who have suffered the greatest loss of income as a result of Covid-19. Hounslow has been awarded £1.8m and will be distributing grants of £25,000, £10,000 and £5,000 depending on businesses property costs, this will provide support to an estimated 200 businesses.
Full details of the scheme and the criteria required are provided in the Discretionary Business Support Grant Policy.
How to apply
To receive notifications on when it goes live along with a link to the application form, available via the Council website, please subscribe to Covid-19 Business Recovery enewsletter.
Deadline
Grant funding will be issued on a first come first served basis to small and micro businesses who have applied and meet the criteria, and we hope to complete the process and issue the funds to the approved businesses by the end of June.
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Learn new skills online with LearnHounslow
LearnHounslow offers a variety of free courses to help you boost your skills and learn something new.
Whether you are looking for personal development, how to support your child's education, improve your health and well-being or seeking to change your career prospects, they will have a course for you!
You can find out more about adult learning on our website.
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Patient and Public Representative application open
Do you live or work in Chiswick/London Borough of Hounslow?
Can you turn your patient experience into patient expertise?
Can you be a critical friend of Hounslow Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG)?
NHS Hounslow CCG are looking to recruit a patient representative onto the CCG's Chiswick Health Centre Project Board very soon. The proposed new Chiswick Health Centre is a key delivery project for NHS England and NHS Hounslow CCG as joint commissioners. The new centre will provide a modern, fit for purpose home for services.
The proposal is to build the new health centre that will meet the needs of patients, GP Practices, Providers, and Clinicians.
As a patient representative on this programme group, you will be able to put your patient experience of Chiswick and/or Hounslow health services to good use. It would be expected of you to liaise with Chiswick patient groups and community groups to inform them of progress on the health centre from a patient’s perspective. The CCG will support making connections to patient and community groups wherever necessary. While personal experience is important, the patient and public voice partner will be expected to contribute to confidential discussions about services, plans and strategies more generally.
Applications are open to apply for patient representative role. Please contact Dilo Lalande Engagement and Communications Manager for Hounslow CCG, via email on d.lalande@nhs.net for further details. The deadline to submit your cover letter is 10 June 2020.
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Online resources for health, education and wellbeing
New for adults, young people, children and families;
Mindful Walking MIND is encouraging mindful walking during National Walking Month.
Travel to Tokyo Team GB and Paralympics GB’s official, free programme for children aged 5-11 and their families.
Outdoor classroom Day is offering lots of lovely ideas and inspiration for playful nature and encouraging children to get outdoors.
Spotify is introducing Daily Wellness, a personalised mix of grounding motivational podcasts and feel-good music that can help you find positivity, mindfulness, or peace throughout your day.
#Daily Mile At Home is here to help children stay active with their parents/carers, 15 minutes of jogging or running, front door to front door, with some extra challenges along the way to keep everyone motivated.
Ordinance Survey Family Maps to Colour In are great for some stress-busting, free PDF to download to print at home.
Parasport has created accessible home workouts that are ideal for wheelchair users who are just getting started, or haven't been active for a while.
Couch to 5k is a nine-week running programme designed for complete beginners by the NHS.
Better on demand provides access to workouts for free on the Better UK app, available from the Apple or Google Play stores. Enter BETTERFREE as the Club Access Code, club ref: Gunnersbury Park Sports Hub.
Joe Wicks also known as the Body Coach or, the nation’s PE teacher, is now offering virtual classes for seniors on his YouTube channel.
Make Movement your Mission designed by Later Life Training, includes a series of short online regular movement sessions done either in a chair or standing holding onto a support.
Mind’s guide for young people is available with information for young people who are worried about coronavirus and want to know how to cope with changes to their lives.
Sport Impact works with schools across Hounslow to give pupils the best opportunities in PE, Sport and Health, as well as encouraging Leadership and Volunteering. The team has created some Stay at Home Challenges to support learning whilst in the home.
OurParks coaches Ange and Premika are encouraging exercise at home and workout sessions via their facebook or YouTube channel. Why not try Saturday 10am Live HIIT Workout.
Brentford FC Community Sports Trust has some great free fitness sessions for Hounslow residents including Pilates, Yoga and chair based exercise for over 60s, all part of their #BeeeatHome campaign.
Visit oneyouhounslow.org for more support and information.
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