Coronavirus cases in Hounslow and across London are continuing to rise. We must work together to bring these numbers down, control the spread of the virus, and continue to protect people who are vulnerable to severe symptoms of the virus. These vulnerable people will be members of our family, our friends and our neighbours for whom catching the virus could be serious and need hospital care. We must not allow a return to the high numbers of people in hospital we had between April and May – with your help we can avoid this.

The rise in numbers has coincided with the easing of lockdown restrictions, the start of the school term, of working-aged people returning to their workplaces and people socialising. Similar to the national picture, the majority of our cases are working age adults aged between 20 and 50. As of today, there were 88 people who have had a confirmed positive test in the last seven days, and this number is increasing even though access to testing is proving to be a challenge.

Our rate is still below the figure where a local lockdown would be considered, but it is one of the highest rates in London. None of us want to see more restrictions in place, we need to be able to carry on our daily routine, keep our children safely in school, and support our shops and local businesses. We can all play our part to help keep Hounslow open for business. Unless you are exempt, please wear a face covering when you’re inside public spaces or out and about and can’t maintain a 2 metre distance, and remember to wash your hands regularly for 20 seconds. We have beautiful green spaces in our borough, but it is crucial that you don’t meet up in groups of more than six people, unless they are from your household or social bubble. Don’t be the one to break the rules they have been imposed to address rising infection levels and you can be fined if you are found to be breaking them.

If you develop symptoms of the virus, please immediately self-isolate and book a test. If you cannot get a test, please be responsible and self-isolate – this is really important. The national testing programme is struggling to manage the high demand for Covid-19 tests. It’s important that if you don’t have symptoms, and have not been advised to take a test that you don’t book one – tests need to be prioritised for people who are symptomatic. I know this is frustrating for everyone. 

I would also like to take this opportunity to thank the majority of residents who have been following the guidance, and shown so much resilience and community spirit throughout this crisis. Let’s continue to work together to keep Hounslow safe.

Kelly O'Neill

Director Public Health

London Borough of Hounslow

Over 200 people gathered online on Monday to discuss plans to address the social and economic impact of coronavirus on the borough of Hounslow.

We believe it was first borough-wide recovery conference of any local authority in the United Kingdom. It was an important opportunity to thank all the community and faith groups, businesses and public sector partners who worked together to address the challenges of lockdown.

The One Hounslow, Forward Together video played at the beginning of the conference told some of that important story.

Delegates helped to shape recovery plans in a series of workshops, and we are now collating the information discussed at the conference which we will report on in more detail in the coming days.

Find out more about the virtual conference and the Hounslow Recovery Board programme here.

As businesses reopen and children go back to school, infection rates in the borough are rising. It’s important we all play our part and keep our family, friends and neighbours safe by: 

• Washing your hands regularly and for 20 seconds.
• Wear a face covering where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
• Stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings or increasing ventilation indoors)

To help Keep Hounslow Safe and control the spread of the virus we have created some short videos in community languages to explain the NHS Test and Trace process. 

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

We encourage all residents to watch the videos, to help everyone understand what they can do to slow the spread and protect others. 

Find out more about the latest coronavirus guidance on our website www.hounslow.gov.uk/coronavirus

There is a national issue with testing due to lab capacity to process tests. This means that there is currently a limit on the amount of tests taking place at all testing sites in Hounslow and with home testing as well. We therefore need to prioritise those who need tests, only people with Covid-19 symptoms (fever, new cough, loss or change in taste/smell) should be booking a test.

We are aware that many people have been unable to get an appointment. If you cannot access a test, please continue to try to book a test online or by calling 119, and continue to isolate in the meantime. This is important to reduce the spread of infection. You will not receive a test without a booking, please do not turn up to a test site without a booking.

Remember, people with Covid-19 symptoms (fever, new cough, loss or change in taste/smell) should be isolating at home and should only leave the house to access testing. They should wear a face covering, and drive or walk to the site and must not use public transport or a taxi.

If you are isolating at home with symptoms or a positive test, there is support available on how to manage symptoms.

A mobile testing unit will be in place on Wednesday 16 September and Saturday 19 September at the Syon Park on Park Road, TW8 8JF with a mixture of walk-in and drive-through appointments (subject to availability).

To secure an appointment you must first book a test online or by calling 119.  Please do not turn up to a test site without a booking. 

You can also book a home test or visit a regional testing centre at Twickenham Stadium or Heathrow Airport. Find out more on our website.

For more information visit the NHS website.

As part of the Council’s Streetspace programme to reduce traffic, make roads safer and improve air quality, as well as create more space for people to walk and cycle, the Council plans to install a barrier at Staveley Road/Park Road junction on a trial basis. 

Construction was due to start on this scheme on Monday 14 September. However, a number of residents attended the site to restrict access for Hounslow Highway’s street maintenance team, preventing works from starting. 

This scheme is being introduced on a trial basis and we will be carefully monitoring the scheme post implementation to ensure that it achieves its objective of preventing through traffic and ensuring the safety of pedestrians and cyclists while reducing noise and pollution in the area.

We are aware that there will be some people who are inconvenienced by Streetspace measures, just as we know that many people are very supportive of them.  However, it is not acceptable for people to physically stop these trials just because they don’t want them. Members of the public are invited to air your views using our our online consultation or by emailing our transport team, traffic@hounslow.gov.uk rather than putting yourselves and our Highways Team at risk.

Read more

Over the next few months we will be developing our community safety strategy for the next three years. This strategy will take into account the impact of coronavirus on the borough and its recovery. Our aim is to work together, with our residents to create stronger, cohesive communities which in turns lead to less crime.

At Hounslow Council we have a dedicated community safety team whose focus is to reduce crime and increase feelings of safety. The team works with the other services across the Council and with our partners. We also work closely with the Met Police who are instrumental in helping us remain a safe, low crime borough.

Our new strategy will cover a broad scope and will include looking at the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on crime and safety in the borough and address any changes we need to make as a result.  We have also launched our Thriving Community: Hounslow Response Fund to support local groups and charities to help alleviate the impact of coronavirus and to continue to help the residents that depend on their services. We will share this new strategy with you over the coming months. 

Read statement from Cllr Dunne about our community safety strategy.

From Friday (18 September) the hospitality sector will be required by law to record contact details of customers, visitors and staff on behalf of NHS Test and Trace.

This includes businesses and other public settings where people meet socially including hospitality, close contact and leisure venues.

Staff and customer details must be stored for 21 days and shared with NHS Test and Trace, if requested, with fixed penalties for organisations that do not comply. 

If you do not provide these details you may be refused entry.

The contact details include:

• Name
• Contact number
• Date of visit
• Arrival time
• Departure time, if possible

All collected data must comply with GDPR guidelines and will not be kept for longer than necessary.

Read more about the Government's new changes. 

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 www.hounslow.gov.uk/admissions.

The Great British September Clean has started and runs until 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. 

The Council is inviting the public to help shape plans for a new outdoor Arts and Crafts Market at Boston Manor Park by completing an online survey. 

Residents are being asked to share their thoughts on plans for the Arts and Craft Market and on what they would like to see and buy once it opens so that it can be enjoyed by as many people as possible. 

The Arts and Crafts Market is one of several changes underway in Boston Manor Park. In 2017 London Borough of Hounslow was awarded funding by the National Lottery Heritage Fund to restore Boston Manor House. From winter 2021 Boston Manor House will be open to the public six days a week and host a regular programme of events and activities for the community. Read more about the proposed changes. 

The market which will open in 2021 will:

• Celebrate the creative talent of people in Hounslow
• Support local artists, makers and creative businesses by creating opportunities for them to sell their work
• Provide an enjoyable and inspiring destination for visitors from across west London and beyond

To have your say on the development of Boston Manor Park’s Arts and Craft Market please complete the survey.

Bell Square will host Luke Jerram's Gaia, a 7-metre model of the Earth, on Saturday 19 September, from 10am to 9pm. 

If you've ever wondered what it might be like to be an astronaut looking back at planet Earth, now's your chance to find out.

Luke Jerram's GAIA is a giant model of the earth featuring 120dpi detailed NASA imagery of the earth’s surface.

It is especially stunning after dark, so why not pop along in the evening and support some of the local restaurants at the same time. 

Find out more information at www.bellsquarelondon.com/

For the first time, 10 UK charities are uniting to respond against the impact that coronavirus has had on them, for an evening of celebrity entertainment in a bid to raise £500,000.

The Massive Get Together will be hosted live and online by TV and radio broadcasters Gaby Roslin and Amanda Byram on Thursday 17 September at 8pm. To get involved and watch the event live, all you have to do is donate £10 to the charities.

Donations will support Marie Curie, The Children's Trust, St John Ambulance, Volunteering Matters, The Royal Voluntary Service, FareShare, Thames Hospice, #LoveYourNeighbour, Crisis, and The Conservation Volunteers.

Find out more about the charities and the entermainment on offer by visiting www.crowdfunder.co.uk/the-massive-get-together.

Has your child's school registered for the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon? 

This year the Virgin Money London Marathon will be very different. On Sunday 4 October the world’s best athletes racing on a looped course in St James’s Park live on the BBC, while 45,000 adults across the UK and all over the globe take part in a virtual event – running 26.2 miles, their way, between midnight and 11.59pm, with thousands raising money for charity.

This year, children and schools can also take part by completing 2.6 miles at their own pace between Monday 28 September and Friday 9 October. 

We want as many children as possible to take part in the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon and feel the benefits of an active lifestyle. Being physically active improves health and fitness and supports good mental health and wellbeing.

Fundraising is a fundamental part of the London Marathon and the Virgin Money Giving Mini London Marathon can help raise money for your school. All schools taking part get free registration with Virgin Money Giving’s not-for-profit fundraising platform (normally this would cost £150).

Find out more information on the Virgin Money Giving London Marathon website.