Coronavirus update: 21 August 2020

Hello everyone,

I hope you and your families and friends are well.

Like other parts of London, Hounslow has seen a small increase in infections, but this small rise of cases serves as a stark reminder for everyone that the virus is still is a threat to all our lives. By working together as a borough to tackle coronavirus, we can we slow the spread and protect our most vulnerable residents. It’s very important that we continue to control the virus in order to save lives.

I’m pleased residents have been visiting the mobile testing site in Heston on Wednesday and Thursday. There are many ways you can get a coronavirus test in the borough, including at your local testing site. I am also very grateful to our Community Champions and voluntary groups, who are supporting us in sharing vital information, advice and messages with specific areas of the community when needed. If you would like to become a Community Champion find out more here.

Please do your bit to help stop in the spread of the virus, protect our communities and keep Hounslow safe. Continue to follow all Government advice:

• Keep your distance – 2m from others not in your household where possible
• Wash your hands, or use hand sanitiser, regularly and for at least 20 seconds, especially when you get home.
• Don’t touch your face when you’re are not in your home.
• 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 if you have any symptoms - a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. 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.

More information at www.hounslow.gov.uk/coronavirus

I know lots of you are eager for our leisure centres and swimming pools to reopen across the Borough. We continue to work closely with Fusion and make progress on plans for a phased reopening. We’re unable to give specific dates at this time, I know this is disappointing news, but the safety of our residents and communities is paramount and ensuring these plans fully comply with Public Health England and Government guidance. Read the statement from Cllr Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet Member for Leisure Services at Hounslow Council here.

Congratulations to all the young people across the borough who achieved their GCSE results yesterday. This year has presented enormous challenges and it has been very stressful for young people waiting for results. 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 or if you didn’t get the results you were expecting.

Finally, next week is the final chance to take part in the Government’s Eat Out to Help Out scheme. Do try to get out and support our fantastic local restaurants and enjoy a meal in a safe and secure way. 

Have a great weekend and stay safe.

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 Sunday 23 August  and Wednesday 26 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.

Hounslow Council, working in partnership with Safer Business Hounslow and Hounslow Chamber of Commerce have introduced new business support advisors to help ensure that businesses are 'Covid-19 Secure' as part of the #ShopSafeShopLocal campaign. 

Business Support Advisers are visiting businesses across the borough, especially independent businesses and retailers offering advice and assistance to ensure that they operate safely and are Covid-19 secure. For more information on how the advisers are supporting Hounslow businesses to operate safely click here. 

If you are a business owner and would like to get in touch for more information or advice contact the Safer Business advisers to schedule an appointment info@saferbusinesshounslow.co.uk or call 07944 373 605.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office now advises against all non-essential travel to Croatia, Austria and Trinidad and Tobago 

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. Yesterday the Government added Portugal to the exemption 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. 

On Thursday 27 August, at 1pm, Martha Flann, Falls Prevention Officer, London Borough of Hounslow, will be hosting a Well-being Webinar focusing on Falls Prevention.

Martha will discuss practical ways to reduce a person’s risk of falling; services available to residents to help with falls prevention and how these can be accessed.

As we get older, the chances of falling increase and the consequences of a fall become more serious. Falls can lead to a lengthy stay in hospital, increased dependence on family members and carers as well as general reduction in our ability to go about life as normal.

Anyone interested in joining the webinar can join in by clicking here. Live subtitles and captions will be available in English, Hindi, Polish, Swahili and Urdu for any resident who is hard of hearing or whose first language is not English.

To find out ore about falls prevention click here.

The Chiswick ‘socially distanced outdoor festival’ is being held to raise funds for Chiswick House and Gardens following the financial devastation the pandemic has had.

Within the 20 day festival there will be a special Bank Holiday live music event on Monday 31 August, 7.30-9.30pm, featuring the UK’s leading Gypsy Jazz & Swing ensemble, Trio Manouche, plus a special guest, the internationally acclaimed jazz trumpeter, Quentin Collins, followed by some funky Country and Urban blues from the award winning Blues Engineers Band. 

The event will follow Covid-19 safety guidelines, with social distancing in place throughout. 

To find out more or book tickets click here.

Due to Covid-19, this year Notting Hill Carnival 2020 will be moving online, so that everyone can stay at home and enjoy the carnival safely and stop the virus spreading.

Enjoy the mix of music, art, food and culture from the comfort of your own home from Saturday 29 August to Monday 31 August. People are encouraged to share their carnival memories on social media by using the hashtag #MyBestCarnival

To find about more and register click here. 

Family Cinema returned to Watermans this week, with social distancing in place so you can enjoy the films safely. Screenings include 100% Wolf and new live-action film Pinocchio, and for grown ups, Babyteeth and Who You Think I Am. The Parent and Baby cinema will also be returning every Wednesday at the new time of 1pm.

Full cinema listing available here. 

Customers have been commenting on how safe they're finding Watermans, with plenty of room between seats and enhanced cleaning and Covid-secure measures throughout. For more information visit https://www.watermans.org.uk/

Bell Square is hosting the last in it's series of free socially-distanced Saturday afternoon gigs this weekend.

On Saturday 22 August, 2 - 3.345 pm, Bikini Beach Band will be performing. They are a group in Hawaiian shirts playing fresh, exciting and entertaining guitar-led instrumental music.If you can’t get to the beach this summer, don’t worry it’s coming to you in Hounslow.

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

Hounslow 14 to 19 Connexions service is providing advice and support for anyone who has received A-level or GCSE results. 

Didn't get the results you were expecting or reconsidering your options? Connexions can help you make sense of this difficult decide your next steps 

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.

The Disability Sports Coach Virtual Summer Festival is a pan-disability sports event celebrating our award-winning charity and its amazing members.

This year due to Covid-19, the festival has moved online with the Virtual Summer Festival. The festival will take place via Zoom throughout the day, from Tuesday 25 August to Friday 28 August. 

Activities will include a range of fun interactive workouts and sports, creative sessions, a quiz, industry panels - plus much more! Sessions will also feature a number of special guests including Paralympian athletes.

You can find out more and sign up for the event through Eventbrite here. 

To support people to live healthier lives, Public Health England’s Better Health campaign is providing a variety of free tools and apps to help you make healthier food choices, become more active and prevent future weight gain.

Get started by downloading the free NHS weight loss plan to help you start healthier eating habits, be more active and start losing weight.

The plan is broken down into 12 weeks so you can:

• set weight loss goals
• use the BMI calculator to customise your plan
• plan your meals
• make healthier food choices
• get more active and burn more calories
• record your activity and progress

Gaining weight is often a gradual process - it happens over the years as a result of modern-day life and the odd unhealthy habit. Extra weight causes fat to build up around vital organs, making it harder for the body to fight against diseases like cancer, heart disease and now COVID-19. If you are overweight or living with obesity, lowering your weight can help reduce your risk of developing serious diseases.

To find out more about what you can do visit https://www.oneyouhounslow.org/

We've put together a useful pool of resources for some activity inspiration this summer.

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 

Osterley Park & House a Georgian country estate

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

Move More Activities to keep you active wherever you are

Couch to 5k app helps you build up to running in just 9 weeks

Active 10 app helps you add more activity into your day

Free Health Walks across the borough

Activities Map to download for free

Activities for young people this summer

Arts & Crafts

Activities For Kids from Fields in Trust

Bounce Theatre

Rainbows of Feltham

Summer Art Activities Feltham Arts

DiY radio

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