Coronavirus update: 21 July 2020

From this Friday (24 July) face coverings will be mandatory in shops and supermarkets, as well as on public transport.

You must wear a face covering that covers both your nose and mouth unless you are exempt.

Exemptions include people who have trouble breathing, children under the age of eleven and anyone who finds it difficult to manage them correctly.

Advice on how to wear and make a face mask can be found on the Government's website.

Handy tips for keeping the environment safe by disposing of a face covering safely and correctly:

• Do not touch the front of the face covering, or the part of the face covering that has been in contact with your mouth and nose.
• Once removed, store reusable face coverings in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash them. If the face covering is single use, dispose of it in a residual waste bin. Do not put them in a recycling bin.
• Make sure you clean any surfaces the face covering has touched using normal household cleaning products. If eating in a restaurant, for example, it is important that you do not place the face covering on the table.
• Wash your face covering regularly and follow the washing instructions for the fabric. You can use your normal detergent. You can wash and dry it with other laundry. You must throw away your face covering if it is damaged.

There is a range of local testing options available to you, including a Mobile Testing Site with a mixture of walk-through and drive-through appointments available on Friday 24 July at the Private Car Park on Hanworth Road, TW3 3TY. For more information, please click here.

NHS Test and Trace is an essential part of the Government’s response to stopping the spread of coronavirus and to save lives. Get tested and do your bit to protect your friends and family.   

The Government recently announced that from 1 August, there will no longer be a requirement for vulnerable individuals to shield.

From then you will be able to visit shops and places of worship, but you should continue maintaining rigorous social distancing. 

The Government support offer which meant those shielding would receive a food box, care and/or medicine delivery will be coming to an end on 31 July.

If you’re exiting shielding, or know someone who is, please start to make alternative arrangements for food shopping as soon as possible before the service stops on Friday 31 July. 

The Council's Community Hub and voluntary organisations such as the NHS Volunteer Responders programme, are still here to help our most vulnerable residents across the borough, with shopping and medication assistance.  

You can find out more about these changes and the support available on our website.    

If you are in need of assistance get in touch with the NHS Volunteer Responders programme by calling 0808 196 3646. 

You can read the full Government guidance here.  

Hounslow has been nominated for a Council of the Month award. 

The council was shortlisted for contributions to the climate emergency, by implementing various green initiatives using public money quickly and efficiently to decarbonise the air within the borough.

Help Hounslow win by voting on Twitter now!

Read more about the award and why Housnlow was nominated here.

Hounslow Council has launched a new campaign, the Care for Hounslow campaign, to inspire residents to consider a paid career in social care.

The campaign celebrates the vital role of care workers, long-term career opportunities and the variety of work the sector offers. It also dispels some of the myths that people may have about working in the sector.

This campaign is part of the Council’s commitment to provide good employment opportunities for Hounslow residents and it encourages the providers it works with to pay the London Living Wage.

The benefits of working with Hounslow Council providers include:

• Many providers pay the London Living Wage – currently £10.75/hour minimum
• Flexible hours
• Diverse and inclusive environment
• Work local and walk or cycle to work
• Career progression opportunities
• A safe working environment including the provision of full PPE 

For more information visit: www.hounslow.gov.uk/Care4Hounslow

Hounslow Council has approved the adoption of its Climate Emergency Action Plan 2020 – 2030 at a meeting of its Cabinet on 14 July 2020.

The plan was developed following the Council’s declaration of a Climate Emergency at Borough Council on 18 June 2019, committing the Council to reducing its direct emissions to net zero by 2030 as well as using its influence to reduce wider emissions from across the borough as quickly as possible.

The plan is split into two parts. Part one sets out the seven programmes that would tackle the climate emergency by reducing council direct emissions to net zero by 2030.

Part two recognises the Council’s community leadership role across Hounslow and sets out a commitment to work across the Borough with our strategic partners, businesses and the community to deliver a further six programmes aiming to reduce  all emissions occurring as a result of activities happening in the borough

You can read more about the Councils new plan here. 

Cllr Hanif Khan, Cabinet Member for Transport at Hounslow Council, has this week provided a statement on the feedback from the Council’s Streetspace consultation which closed on 25 June.

 The Streetspace programme is looking to trial a range of changes to our transport network to respond to the different ways people are choosing to travel since the Covid-19 pandemic started, and also to ensure there is space to facilitate social distancing in busier areas.

Progress on the Council’s Streetspace programme continues with further implementation of schemes across the borough. 

Including in the last week or so;

• Restricted access arrangements have gone in place at Amhurst Gardens, Teesdale Avenue and Teesdale Gardens in Isleworth. 
• Work to widen the footway on the northern side of Hounslow High Street (between the start of the bus only section of Kingsley Road) has started.
• Works to implement the south Chiswick Liveable Neighbourhood schemes will start later this month. 

The Council is currently reviewing feedback provided through the consultation to define the next phase of schemes which will be announced in the coming weeks.

The full statement is available to read here.

Hounslow Council has this week received official notification from Hina Kiani, one of the councillors for Hounslow Heath Ward, that she has resigned from the Council with immediate effect because of work commitments.

Hina Kiana has been Ward Councillor in Hounslow Heath since May 2018.

A by-election will be held in due course. Read more here.

The Department for Education is once again holding a Virtual Jobs Fair to showcase a range of job, apprenticeship and volunteering opportunities across London.

Get advice and support to help you with your choices on careers, training and work. Whatever your situation, there's something to help.

The event will take place Friday 24 July 11am - 12 noon 

To register your interest and find out more about the National Careers Service visit the Government's website

'Plogs' are a regular local community walk or run combined with a rubbish pick ups.

The next Plog-olution will be at Hounslow Heath on Saturday 25 July 1 - 2.30 pm

With two routes available, anyone, no matter regardless of fitness level, can take part and help clean up Hounslow.

Sign up here to join either the 2km walking route, great for those who want a gentle walk and those with young families, or the 5km running version.

Due to Government social distancing guidelines advance booking is compulsory in order to take part. Each group will have no more than 10 people each with social distancing of over one metre.

All equipment will be provided including gloves and litter pickers. All equipment will be disinfected before and after the event. 

This week, Bell Square has announced it will be hosting three socially-distanced free Saturday afternoon gigs with three festival-favourite bands.

It’s something different from what Bell Square usually does because of coronavirus restrictions, but they’re really excited to be back with a series of events to put smiles on the faces of people in the heart of Hounslow and bring our community together again.

The shows include: 

Saturday 8 August, 2 - 3.30 pm 

Natty Congeroo and The Flames of Rhythm

Saturday 15 August, 2 - 3.30 pm

Thrill Collins

Saturday 22 August, 2 - 3.30 pm

Bikini Beach Band

For more information visit https://www.bellsquarelondon.com/whats-on

Watermans Art Centre are delighted to announce that the Cinema, Gallery, Restaurant and Bar will be reopening on Wednesday 5 August.

Read Watermans Director, Jan Lennox, letter to customers regarding the reopening here.

You can share your views on how the Centre should open safely for customers and residents by completing this short survey.

With the summer holidays now in full swing, we've put together a useful pool of resources for some inspiration over the next 6 weeks. 

Events and days out in Hounslow 

Whats on in Hounslow  local activities and events across our borough 

Hounslow Urban Farm learn all about farm animals 

Syon Park Gardens visit the beautiful historic gardens 

Chiswick House Gardens enjoy 65 acres of gardens 

Arts and crafts - get creative this summer 

Hobbycraft offer lots of free printable resources for kids craft activities 

CBBC offer lots of online creative resources for free 

Physical activities - stay fit and healthy  

Move More exercise and physical activities   

Positive Movement  runs 3 weekly online sessions as part of the Model City programme in Bedfont, Feltham & Hanworth. The project aims to improve mental well-being and combat social isolation in the community through fitness and sport

New Small Group and 1-2-1 Football Sessions at Gunnersbury Park  Brentford FC Community Sport Trust are running new football sessions at the new facilities at Gunnersbury Park. For more information and to book visit brentfordfccst.com 

OurParks are running 10 online classes per day via Facebook Live and Youtube Live. New lunchtime sessions have also been added so you can access a range of sessions at any time of the day

Hounslow1-2-1 Cycling Sessions in conjunction with Bikeworks, are for anyone who lives, works or studies in the borough. Free ‘Dr Bike’ bike servicing is also available, click here for the schedule.

NHS Fitness Studio  has some great new workout routines that you can do anytime, anywhere including, aerobics, belly dancing, pilates and yoga

Brentford  FC Community Sports Trust  have added some new free fitness sessions including Tabata, Morning Stretch and Yoga for Beginners

Outside Inside is a new local project that will use the natural world to inspire, to encourage new skills and old interests, and to bring people together remotely and safely to share their experiences.