Over the last week coronavirus cases in Hounslow and other parts of London have been rising. As of today, there were 76 people living in the borough who have had a confirmed positive test in the last seven days. People aged between 20 and 50 years old are the most affected group, and a small number of people are currently in hospital after contracting the infection.

Hounslow’s rate is below the figure where a local lockdown would be considered, but this sustained increase especially over the last two weeks is a serious health concern. If we are to stop this increase in infection we have to all take responsibility - follow the guidance – look after yourself by socially distancing, wearing a mask and washing your hands. By doing so you protect your family, friends and neighbours, and together let’s reduce the risk that comes with ongoing spread of infection. We don’t want any risk of a lockdown.

The data suggest the three main causes of the increase in positive cases are; people not self-isolating when they return from a destination abroad which is not on the exempt list; parents not socially distancing outside school; and younger people ignoring social distancing when they meet up with friends.

We all want to get back to the things we enjoy but coronavirus has not gone away, and lives are still at risk. Coronavirus can spread without symptoms. Don’t be the person who spreads it to a vulnerable friend or family member for whom catching the virus could lead to serious illness. 

This week we welcomed children back to school. Teachers have put huge efforts in place to open their schools and make them safe for children to return. Please be responsible as parents – don’t gather in groups at the school gates, wear a mask if it’s busy, don’t send your child to school if they have symptoms and be patient with the schools phased opening arrangements.

If you’re going on holiday soon, keep up to date with the latest coronavirus news on travel bans and travel corridors. If your destination is not on the official exempt list you will need to self-isolate on your return for 14 days. It is against the law to leave your house during this period. Don’t put others at risk. You should make a plan for how you will get your food and supplies during this time.

We all need to take responsibility and follow the guidelines if we want to avoid a situation where we cannot visit each other’s homes and where shops and other businesses need to close again.

Kelly O'Neill

Director Public Health

London Borough of Hounslow

Following a rise in coronavirus cases in England the number of people who can attend social gatherings has changed.

Any gathering of more than six people in England will be illegal from Monday (14 September), unless it meets one of a limited list of exemptions. Failure to follow the rules could result in a fine of up to £3,200.

This applies to gatherings both indoors and outdoors.

The new rule does not apply to households or bubbles of more than six, or gatherings for work or education.

Read more about what you can and can't do on the Government website.

This week we have seen many of our children and students go to school. Teachers have put huge efforts in place to open their schools and make them safe for children to return. Now it is our opportunity to play our part, help children arrive and leave school safely and stop the spread of coronavirus in our community.

We ask parents and carers to:

• Avoid gathering in groups around entrances and exits
• Wear face coverings in crowded spaces (this includes outdoors)
• Keep a safe distance of at least a metre from others
• Wash hands, or use hand sanitiser, regularly
• Stay at home if you have symptoms  

Read more about the safe return of schools.

Hounslow’s Leisure Centres are set to be managed by the Council’s wholly owned company, Lampton 360, following discussions and mutual agreement between Fusion Lifestyle and Hounslow Council.

The Council along with its trading company Lampton 360, will take over the operational running of their leisure services from 1 November 2020, with a phased approach to reopening services during November.

Our Public Halls will be moved in-house and managed within the Environment, Culture and Customer Services Directorate.

In order to meet the Government guidelines, leisure centres and public halls will need to operate at a reduced capacity of around 40 per cent of pre Covid-19 levels. There will be a system implemented to enable members, users, clubs, schools and other groups to use the facilities in a way that is fair for all.

During the transition communications with over 10,000 leisure centre members, the sports clubs and regular users of our public halls will continue via Fusion Lifestyle until the data is transferred securely, in agreement with GDPR requirements, to the Council and Lampton 360. 

Further information will be available on our Leisure Services page, which will be updated regularly with the latest information.

Read more about the decision and watch our YouTube announcement video from Cllr Samia Chaudhary, Cabinet Member for Leisure Services. 

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 13 September at the private car park on Hanworth Road, TW3 3TY. Find out more on our website.

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. 

For more information visit the NHS website.

It’s World EV (Electric Vehicle) Day today 9 September 2020 and our partners Ubricity UK, responsible for all on-street EV charging sockets in the borough, have not charged for energy supplied from Ubricity EV charging sockets all day.

All the Ubitricity EV charging sockets installed in Hounslow are purchased and owned by Hounslow Council, with customer service and billing managed by Ubitricity.  The energy is supplied from 100% renewable sources. Hounslow was the first borough in the capital to trial installing charging sockets within lamppost on residential streets to support residents without a driveway.

If you’re interested in finding out more about having an EV Charge Point installed on your street, please visit: https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/EV-charge-points for more details

If your child is starting primary school or moving up to Year 7 in September 2021, the application process for places is now open.

The deadline for applications to transfer to secondary school must be submitted by 31 October 2020.

The deadline for applications for primary school is 15 January 2021.

The Schools Admissions Team will be able to offer advice and assistance by phone, on 020 8583 2721/2711 or by email admissions@hounslow.gov.uk

For more information read our brochures for primary and secondary school applications or visit https://www.hounslow.gov.uk/admissions.

Today, Hounslow Council is celebrating 60 years of Heston Library by showcasing an online gallery of the changing appearance of the library over the years.

A library service has existed in Heston since 1926 and was originally located in Heston School as a part-time lending library. In 1932 the library moved into the old Heston Fire Station. This site was acquired by the Council with the purpose of building swimming baths and a public library. A wooden structure was erected in 1933 and remained used as a public library until September 1960, when the new library was opened to the public.

Read more about how the library has evolved over the years. 

This winter, with the combined risk of flu and coronavirus, it is important to get your flu vaccination.

By getting your flu vaccination:

• You protect yourself and reduce your risk of becoming seriously ill with the flu
• You protect your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours
• You help to protect the NHS from coming under pressure this winter

Flu vaccinations are arriving in GP surgeries now. If you are eligible for a free vaccination your surgery will contact you by letter or text and tell you where and when to go to get the vaccination.

If you are over 65 years old, pregnant or have a medical condition that puts you at risk of serious illness from flu you will be invited first. Respond to your letter or text and take your flu vaccination as soon as it’s available to you. You can also go to a pharmacy where you will not have to pay if you are eligible for free vaccinations.

Staff will wear personal protective equipment and clean the room they are in to keep you safe. Follow any guidance they give you and don’t visit if you have COVID symptoms.

More information about who should have the flu vaccination can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/who-should-have-flu-vaccine/

The Great British September Clean 11-27 September 2020.

We are thrilled to support this year’s Great British September Clean after the Great British Spring Clean was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

Now we are calling on you - our #LitterHeroes - to be part of the pick and do your bit to care for Hounslow’s wonderful parks and open spaces, as we join forces to collect and safely dispose of litter from our country's streets, parks and beaches.

So join us, as we stand together and declare that litter – which degrades the beauty of our environment and threatens to harm wildlife – is not acceptable.

There are two ways you can get involved and show support for our Great British September Clean:

1. Organise a private group clean-up with up to five family & friends
2. Pledge to do your own individual clean-up, you can give as little as 15 minutes to the campaign.

We can provide you with litter picking equipment and arrange to have your separated waste picked up after your event. Please contact Cleaner.Greener@hounslow.gov.uk with details once you have registered your event.

Read more about how you can participate in Hounslow. 

Most families have experienced upheaval in their daily lives during the pandemic.

Public Health England's Better Health – Every Mind Matters provides tips and advice to look after children and young people’s mental wellbeing.

The advice is designed to help parents and carers spot the signs that children may be struggling with their mental health and show the actions they can take to support them.

Top tips for parents and carers include:

• Be there to listen
• Stay involved in their life
• Take what they say seriously
• Support them through difficulties
• Encourage their interests
• Build positive routines

In addition to the advice for parents and carers the site also provides tools to help young people build resilience and equips them to look after their mental wellbeing.

For more information visit www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters 

Can you help your local community in this time of need?

Residents are invited to donate much-needed food to local food banks. Drop off points are available at: 

Church of the Good Shepherd in Hounslow on Mondays from 1pm to 3pm. 

St Paul's in Hounslow West on Wednesdays from 9.30am to 11.30am. 

All donations are welcome but at present the following items are particularly in need:

• Tinned desserts (rice pudding, custard)
• Small jars of coffee & decaffeinated coffee
• Cooking oil
• Tinned spaghetti (hoops, ravioli, macaroni cheese etc.) 
• Washing powder or liquid
• Washing up liquid 
• Toothpaste
• Shower gel
• Shampoo (but not conditioner)
• Nappies, particularly the larger sizes (5, 6 and 6+)

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

Walking and Cycling Grants London (WCGL) is a grants programme funded by Transport for London, in partnership with The London Marathon Charitable Trust and administered by Groundwork London.

Grants of up to £10,000 over three years are now available to community groups and organisations across London, to deliver projects and programmes that remove barriers to walking and cycling and enable all communities to enjoy the benefits of active travel. Many of whom will have been impacted by the coronavirus pandemic.

The programme promotes walking and cycling not only as a means of transport and exercise, but projects also create confidence in participants, provide upskilling opportunities, enable greater physical, social and economic mobility, improve physical and mental health, reduce social exclusion and strengthen communities.

Deadline for applications is 5pm on Thursday 15 October.

More information about the scheme and how to apply can be found at wcgl.london or contact the grants administrators at wcgl@groundwork.org.uk.