Coronavirus update: 14 August 2020

Over the weekend the UK saw a significant rise in confirmed coronavirus cases – the first time the daily total has exceeded 1,000 since June.

Closer to home, we also started to see a rise in the number of cases, and we are closely monitoring Heston East in particular. The latest information suggests that the spread is due to wider family and friend group meetings, without maintaining social distancing. Read the update from our Director of Public Health.

This relatively small increase is no cause for immediate alarm but it’s a reminder we can't be complacent, and that we must all play our part to help slow the spread, protect our vulnerable residents and reduce the risk of a local lockdown. Coronavirus can spread without symptoms; no one wants to be the one who makes a vulnerable friend or relatively sick.

Please continue to follow all Government advice:

• Wash your hands, or use hand sanitiser, regularly and for at least 20 seconds.
• Wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets, on public transport and when in other indoor spaces where keeping apart from others isn’t possible. Please always take a face covering with you when you leave your home in case you need to use it.
• Get a free test now if you have any Covid-19 symptoms. Find a local site here.
• Stay at home if you have symptoms, test positive for the virus, or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.
• If you do see anyone flouting the rules please do report it to the police by calling 101.

As part of the efforts to keep Hounslow safe we have released a range of short videos on our YouTube channel in community languages to help everyone understand the NHS Test and Trace process. Please do share these with all your friends and family.

Congratulations to all the young people across the borough who achieved their A-Level results yesterday. This year has presented unprecedented challenges and as a parent of a young person who has just received their A-level results, I recognise how hard and stressful it has been for young people. We are proud of all your efforts and wish you the very best in your chosen path. Please don’t forget that the Hounslow Connexions Service is available to offer free advice and support to anyone who is unsure of what to do next.

Finally, if you’re celebrating Pakistan or India Independence Day, have a good day. If you are visiting friends or family, please be responsible and follow the Government’s social distancing guidance. Don’t put vulnerable friends and relatives at risk.

Have a great weekend and stay safe.

Councillor Lily Bath

Deputy Leader of the council

Cabinet Member for Housing and Social Inclusion

The latest data from Public Health England shows there are increasing cases of coronavirus in the borough of Hounslow, particularly Heston East.

The spread of cases suggests it’s due to wider family and friend groups meeting and not maintaining social distancing.

This small increase is no cause for immediate alarm but we need you to play your part to help slow the spread, protect our vulnerable residents and reduce the risk of a local lockdown.

Coronavirus can spread without symptoms. Don’t be the one who makes a vulnerable friend or family member sick.

Everyone must continue following government guidance.

Read a message from Kelly O’Neill, Director of Public Health, here.

Do you live or work in the borough of Hounslow? We need your help to stop the spread of coronavirus and save lives. Champions can be anyone in the community. You might be the person that everyone knows and trusts. You might be someone who wants to help in whatever way you can- even if this is your first time.

It’s really easy to get involved:

• You sign up to be a Champion.
• We give Champions the latest information about COVID-19.
• Champions share this information with anyone in their community, however they want. It could be with your friends, colleagues or a community group.
• Champions let us know what is and isn’t working. They also help us dispel myths or concerns.

Click here for more information and to sign up.

Cllr Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet Member for Leisure Services at Hounslow Council said:

“We continue to work closely with Fusion to develop plans for when and how the leisure centres and public halls in Hounslow will be able to reopen, in a way that fully complies with government guidance and ensures they are safe. We are making progress towards a phased re-opening but are unable to give specific dates at this time.

“We know this is very frustrating for our leisure centre customers. I would like to apologise for this ongoing delay and thank you for your patience in this matter. Please bear with us while we develop our plans. We hope to provide a further update later this month.

“Our priority is protecting our residents, users, staff and volunteers from coronavirus and this means we will only reopen our leisure centres, swimming pools and public halls when we are absolutely certain it is safe to do so. We want people to have full confidence that the centres are entirely safe to use. As outbreaks in parts of the country and across Europe, as well as the recent increases locally, demonstrate, we cannot be complacent. Coronavirus is still out there, lives are at stake and we won’t be taking unnecessary risks.

 “Fusion will be writing to all members, and further updates will be available as soon as they are agreed.

Please visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest information and advice.

The Government announced yesterday that a number of businesses will be able to reopen from this weekend and others will be able to offer a larger range of services. This includes:

• Bowling alleys, skating rinks, casinos and indoor play and soft play centres which comply with new Covid-19 Secure guidelines.
• Beauty salons, tattoo studios, spas and barbers will be able to offer all close contact services and treatments.
• Wedding receptions for up to 30 people can now take place. 
• Indoor performances with socially distanced audiences can recommence.
• Sports and business events pilots to resume.

The Government also announced stricter rules regarding face coverings in public spaces. Failure to wear one when required, unless exempt will result in a fine of up to £3,200.

For more information and the full list of new measures visit the Government's website.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office now advises against all non-essential travel to France, the Netherlands, Monaco, Malta, Turks and Caicos islands, and Aruba.

Travellers must also isolate for 14 days on arrival into the UK. 

International travel arrangements, during the coronavirus pandemic, are complex and subject to change. The Government’s advice continues to be that people should not travel abroad unless it is essential. Quarantine arrangements apply to many destinations, unless the country is on the Government’s exempt list.

The situation can change overnight and countries that you could travel to without needing to quarantine can be removed from the exempt list with little or no notice.

If you are planning to travel abroad, please ensure you are aware of any restrictions that might be imposed both for your arrival in that country and on your return to the UK. If you are planning to book or go abroad, ensure you have a suitable plan in place before travelling. 

We advise that you continue to check the Government's website and with your travel provider before travelling.

As part of the Keep Hounslow Safe work, the Council has put together some short videos in community languages to explain the NHS Test and Trace process. 

The videos can be viewed on the Council's YouTube channel here and are available to watch in English, Panjabi, Gujarati, Urdu, Hindi and Polish. 

For more information on the Test and Trace programme in the Borough click here.

To control the spread of coronavirus and reduce the risk of a local lockdown, it’s vital people get tested if they think they have symptoms

There are a range of local testing options available to you, including a mobile testing site with a mixture of walk-in and drive-through appointments available on Monday 17 August  and Thursday 20 August 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. 

Virus isolation period extended from seven to 10 days

 You must now self-isolate for 10 days if you:

• Have symptoms of COVID-19
• Receive a positive test result

People in your household should continue to self-isolate for 14 days. For more information visit the NHS website.

The Hounslow 14 to 19 Connexions service will be providing an extended results day service for anyone receiving A-level or GCSE results, every weekday, starting on 13 August until 4 September.

The team will be available to provide free impartial advice a range of options available and help with the following:

• UCAS’ clearing service
• Finding relevant college or university courses
• Apprenticeships and which one is right for you
• Full time employment opportunities

Watch our YouTube video to hear from a young person who shares her experience of using the Connexions service or read our blog from a careers adviser to find out more about what help is on offer.

For more information click here or call 020 8583 5151.

Are you interested in Apprenticeships and want to find out more? Hounslow Connexions is hosting a live question and answer session in partnership with ASK about Apprenticeships on Tuesday 18 August at 2pm.

The session will cover an overview of apprenticeships, recognising your strengths, and how to write a winning application or CV. To find out more about what is on offer watch this video on our YouTube channel. 

To join the event live next week on YouTube click here.

This week is National Allotments Week. There are 29 allotments in the Borough, all of which play a vital role in promoting health and wellbeing, healthy eating and bringing the community together.

To help even more residents benefit from gardening and allotments, the Council is beginning to allocate Micro Garden plots on Church Road Allotments in Hanworth, to residents without a garden space. 

Here are just some of the reasons why you should sign up. 

• Gardening is good for your mental and physical health, helping you feel healthier and happier
• Learn new skills – whether you’re a nature newbie or a planting pro, our optional monthly sessions will help you pick up new skills and tips
• Meet new people – your Micro Garden will be part of a larger community allotment space, giving you the chance to meet and chat with others starting out on their own garden journey
• Feel connected to nature and the seasons – you’ll get to see the seasons change as you spend time on your allotment, and watch what that means for plant and animal life
• Grow your own – you decide what to plant on your allotment – from fruit, veg and herbs to flowers and plants.
• Free starter kit – all Micro Gardens come with a free starter kit of hand tools, gloves, a choice of seeds and bulbs to get you started.
• Shared tool store – You’ll also have access to a shared tool store with larger items like spades, forks and rakes and watering cans
• Keeping you safe – Measures to protect against Covid-19 will be in place, such as enough space for social distancing and cleaning supplies will be provided.

To register your interest and find out more get in touch by email community.development@hounslow.gov.uk or call 020 8583 4364.

The food banks at the Church St Paul's and Church of the Good Shepherd have been supporting local individuals and families who find themselves in difficulty by providing food parcel including the basic essentials, especially during the pandemic. 

If you would like to help out and donate food or other essentials the church is open every Wednesday morning to recieve donations 9.30-11.30am. 

For more information email foodbank@hwparish.org.uk or call 020 8707 4092. 

The Government has announced the closure of the Business Grant Scheme with 28 August 2020 as the last date for applications to be submitted.  After this date the scheme will be closed.

Any applications or payments still being processed will be concluded by 30 September 2020.

To find out more information click here. 

Bell Square will be hosting another free socially-distanced Saturday afternoon gig with weekend.

Saturday 15 August, 2 - 3.30 pm, featuring Thrill Collins.

The final socially-distanced summer gig will take place on, Saturday 22 August, 2 - 3.30 pm featuring the Bikini Beach Band

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

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

Our Parks is proud to present a nine week 'Couch to Fitness' programme, funded by Sport England and in collaboration with London Sport and Get Active.

This programme brings you an effective series of three workouts a week to gradually build up your physical fitness from scratch. Our instructors demonstrate three variations of each exercise for you to complete based on your level of fitness so there is something for everyone! 

Click here to join the Couch to Fitness programme.

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

Events and Days Out in Hounslow

What's 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. 

Osterley Park & House, a Georgian country estate, with cycle hire available Wednesday – Sundays in August from 10am-4pm. 

Get Active wherever you are

How much should I be doing? NHS guidance for all ages.   

Tips for getting started, for those new to exercise.

Couch to 5k app helps you build up to running in just nine weeks.

Active 10 app helps you add more activity into your day.

Free Health Walks across the borough.

Get Active Activities Map to download for free.

Full list of activities for young people this summer.

Arts & Crafts

Activities For Kids from Fields in Trust, from designing a dream park to making faces and a fun parks word search, there's plenty to help the kids be creative.

Bounce Theatre presents Art workshops at Reach Academy, every Tuesday in August.

Rainbows of Feltham competition to showcase creative rainbows across Feltham in support of the NHS during the COVID-19 pandemic. Email your entries into felthamLAG@gmail.com. Closing date for entries is Monday 31 August at 12noon.

For more activity inspiration visit hounslow.org/move-more.