Coronavirus update: 28 August 2020

I'm pleased to report that, after the localised spikes in cases of coronavirus we experienced earlier this month, we are now back to the previous low and steady rate in the borough. Our cases per 100,000 currently stands at about 11. This equates to fewer than 30 positive cases reported in the last seven days, and at this time is below the average for northwest London.

I’d like to say a big thank you to the people in the affected areas, particularly Heston, Cranford and Hounslow, who responded quickly to our targeted communications and call to action, both in terms of abiding by social distancing guidance and getting tested locally. About 1,000 people were tested over just two days at the mobile sites in Heston and Hanworth.

This demonstrates clearly how we can work together to control the spread of this deadly infection and protect our friends, family and most vulnerable residents. I also want to thank our Community Champions, faith leaders and voluntary organisations for their assistance in quickly sharing important information and advice with their communities.

The recent rapid increase in cases is a harsh reminder that we can't be complacent. The virus can spread rapidly and without symptoms; no one wants to be the one who makes a vulnerable friend or relative sick. Had we not taken swift action together we could have seen widespread community infection spread.

We will continue to respond strongly and intervene quickly, though proportionately, to contain localised outbreaks. Increases can grow exponentially if left unchecked, spreading rapidly across the borough and putting more lives in danger and heightening the risk of a lockdown. The situation is monitored daily and we are kept abreast of the latest data provided by Public Health England. Further measures will be implemented if and wherever local outbreaks occur.

There is no one single metric or magic number which dictates specific interventions or a move to a local lockdown. Decisions take into account many factors, such whether outbreak numbers are within an extended family or a wider community setting. The most important factor is whether an increasing infection rate is a clear risk to health and demand for critical care.

Where we do take localised action we will, as far as possible, explain the reasons as we all need to understand why and work together for our communities.

We must all continue to play our part and act responsibly to control the spread. This will become more important as we enter autumn and winter as it’s thought cooler weather could lead to a resurgence of the disease. We should never forget how awful the situation was for many of our residents earlier this year. More than 230 people lost their lives and thousands of others became seriously ill.

Please 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.

Have a great bank holiday weekend, and stay safe.

Next week sees the borough's schools and further education colleges open their doors to thousands of the children after nearly six months of partial closures.

Parents and carers are urged to return their children to school as any further interruptions to their education can lead to long-term harmful impacts on their social, emotional and cognitive development. Parents can feel reassured about their child’s safety as each of the settings has put in place a full range of measures to ensure that children can return to learning and meeting their friends in a safe environment.  

Parents are also asked to use the new school year to begin walking or cycling to school instead of driving.  22 schools in the borough will be operating School Streets where areas around schools are closed to traffic during peak drop-off and pick-up times, enabling children to walk, cycle or scoot to school safely and to socially distance while doing so. For more information on the return to school in Hounslow visit: https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/Back-to-school

Read more about how schools will be returning safety here. 

This week extensive improvement works have been completed across the borough's parks and open spaces. 

The works range from play park refurbishments at Grosvenor Park, to a new dipping platform at Bridge House Pond, complete with aquatic ledges.

Countryside sites at Donkey Woods and Brazil Mill have also benefited from repairs of historic bridges and extended boardwalks, all designed to improve access to these areas for more visitors to enjoy, whilst protecting habitats and local wildlife.

Cllr Samia Chaudhary Cabinet Member for Leisure Services joined ‘friends’ groups and Greenspace 360 staff inspecting the substantial investment and improvements throughout the parks and open spaces.

Find out more about the improvements by watching our YouTube video here. 

Waste and recycling collections will be subject to a revised schedule due to the summer bank holiday on Monday 31 August 2020.

There will be no waste, recycling or garden waste collections on Monday 31 August. If your household is due a collection on this day, this will now happen on the following day, Tuesday 1 September with all collections a day later throughout next week.

The waste and recycling service schedule will return to normal on Monday 7 September 2020.

Space Waye re-use and recycling centre will remain open on Monday 31 August. Visitors arriving with cars must have a booking to enter the site, for more information and to book a convenient 30-minute slot, please visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/spacewaye. Visitors arriving with vans or trailers do not require a booking, but entry will be subject to the Space Waye site policy.

For more information and the full list of when collections will take place next week click here.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office now advises against all non-essential travel to Switzerland, Jamaica and Czech Republic.

Travellers must 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. 

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 Saturday 29 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.

Starting on the Monday 14 September, Brentford Community Sports Trust will be running a free youth club at Hanworth Youth Centre in Hounslow.

Visit the centre every Monday and Wednesday 7pm-9pm for lots of fun engaging activities such as music, cooking, team games and sports, arts and crafts and drama.

Delivered by experienced and qualified staff, the youth club is available for young people aged 8-19. No need to book – just turn up!

All the youth sessions comply with the government regulations regarding Covid-19.

For more information click here or get in touch by emailing youth@brentfordfccst.com or calling 07956499265.

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? It's not too late to change your mind and Connexions can shelp you make sense of this difficult time and help you decide your next steps. 

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

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

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.

Street Tag is a family friendly initiative that rewards families and individuals for their physical activities such as walking, running and cycling. Street Tag encourages greater participation in outdoor physical activities, by turning our local area into a giant virtual playground, and enhancing outdoor experiences.

A new community game will be launching for Hounslow residents on Tuesday 1 September. 

What are the benefits of using Street Tag?

• Fantastic prizes to be won which can enhance your physical fitness and healthy lifestyle
• Opportunity to become fitter and bond with family and friends whilst staying committed to physical fitness
• Opportunity to connect with other members of the community that are using the Street Tag App
• Experience the fun and catch the thrill of physical fitness which you might not get without the app
• Get motivated to engage in physical activity, rediscover nature and get energetic
• Enhance your mental and physical well-being

How does Street Tag work?

1. Install the app, create a team and join the local Hounslow leaderboard
2. Earn points from physical activities indoor and outdoor- walking, running, cycling to scan virtual tags and convert your steps into Street Tag Points
3. Get rewards and win prizes such as vounchers for sports equipment and more.

Get ready to push the boundaries and start your journey to a healthy lifestyle with Street Tag. You can download the app now on ios and android.

For more information about the launch in Hounslow click here or visit www.streettag.co.uk 

To support people to live healthier lives Public Health England and BBC Get Inspired have developed the Coach to 5k app.

The nine week activity plan takes you on guided sessions, three times a week with the choice of five different trainers to support and motivate you. 

We'd love to hear how you are getting on or what routes around the Borough you are taking. Share your Couch to 5K journey with us on social media by using the hashtag #Couchto5KHounslow

Find out more about the new sporting venue located at Gunnersbury Park, situated on the border of Hounslow and Ealing. The current target date for opening is September 2020 but a more definite date will be provided as soon as its available. Visit the BETTER website for up to date information and to find out more about the current programmes below;

• Brentford FC CST small group and 1:1 football sessions
• Brentford FC Post -16 Education

For more information contact better.org.uk/gunnersbury-park-sports.

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. 

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

Events and Days Out

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

Gunnersbury Park beautiful parkland and museum

Getting Active

How much should I be doing?

Tips to get started

Activities for all

Couch to 5k App

Explore with Street Tag

Couch to Fitness support

Free Health Walks  

Get Active Map

Activities for young people

Nature, Arts & Crafts

Activities from Fields in Trust

Bounce Theatre

Rainbows of Feltham

Summer Art Activities Feltham Arts

DiY radio

Support Wildlife at Home

Education

            Online Resources