The UK Government has today announced a new Tier 4 restrictions level for London

The new measures, which come into effect tomorrow, Sunday 20 December, include the following key points:

Meeting friends and family: No household mixing, aside from support bubbles and two people meeting in public outdoor spaces.

Bars, pubs and restaurants: Hospitality closed, aside from sales by takeaway drive-through or delivery.

Retail: Essential shops can open. Non-essential retail must close, and can only open for click-and-collect and delivery.

Work and business: Everyone must work from home unless they are unable to do so.

Education: Early years settings, schools, colleges and universities open during term time. Registered childcare, other supervised activities for childcare purposes, and childcare bubbles permitted.

Indoor leisure: Closed.

Accommodation: Closed (with limited exceptions).

Personal care: Closed.

Overnight stays: You must not stay overnight away from home. Limited exceptions apply.

Weddings and funerals: Funerals of up to 30 people permitted. Wakes and other linked ceremonial events can continue in a group of up to six. Weddings of up to six can continue in exceptional circumstances.

Entertainment: Indoor entertainment closed. Some outdoor attractions may remain open.

Places of worship: Open for private prayer and communal worship, but cannot interact with anyone outside household or support bubble.

Travelling: You must stay at home and only travel for work, education, or other legally permitted reasons. If you must travel, you should stay local and reduce the number of journeys you make. You must not leave a Tier 4 area or stay overnight away from home. Residents in Tiers 1 - 3 should not enter Tier 4 areas. Do not travel abroad if you live in a Tier 4 area unless an exemption applies.

Exercise: You can leave your home to exercise by yourself, with your household or support bubble, or with one person from another household. Outdoor sport allowed but gatherings limit applies except for youth and disabled sport.

Residential care: You can visit relatives in care homes with COVID-secure arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits.

Clinically Extremely Vulnerable: The Clinically Extremely Vulnerable are advised to stay at home as much as possible, except to go outdoors for exercise or to attend health appointments.

Full information here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home

The Prime Minister has said that, "Christmas cannot go ahead as planned." The planned relaxation of restrictions from 23 to 27 December will now not take place.

People in Tier 4 must not spend any part of the Christmas period mixing with other households, although bubbles remain.

Government will review the Tiers as planned on 30 December, but are clear there will be no relaxation for New Year.

See more here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/tier-4-stay-at-home

The new restrictions means that libraries, leisure centres, public halls, community halls will remain closed from tonight.

The Sunday Market at Western International planned for tomorrow cannot now take place.

Waste (including spacewaye), highways and parking will continue as normal.

We are working to understand the impact for other services and will update you in the coming days.

During this time, residents can still access our services online and via emergency numbers. To inform the council of an emergency, please call 020 8583 2222.

The Community Hub will also still be there to help residents with getting food, medicines and support during the period.

The Community Hub will remain open for urgent support until 5pm on 24 December and between 11am – 3pm from 29 - 31 December. You can contact the Community Hub on 020 7084 9697 or at Hub@hounslow.gov.uk.

It's been a hard year and if you are alone this Christmas there are people who can support you.

Age UK Hounslow offers a free telephone befriending service, which aims to give support and regular contact to older people who may feel lonely and isolated.

The main target client group is Hounslow residents aged over 65 and living alone who have little social contact.

Age UK Hounslow Telephone Befriending Service 0208 560 6969

GoodGym can provide deliveries for vulnerable people (including those under 60) and basic tasks for hospital discharge and home safety. GoodGym's activities and services have adapted to comply with the Government's safety guidelines. Call 0203 432 3920 to get in touch. 

Re-engage - befriending and social activities for the 75+ (formerly Contact the Elderly).

Re-engage exists to support older people who live alone and find it hard to get out in normal times. The Covid-19 crisis is particularly devastating for these people and many are feeling incredibly vulnerable, especially those with few family members or friends to talk to.

Wellbeing Network Hounslow (support and social network for people with mental health needs) - is still available for telephone support and for information. For more information and useful contacts during this difficult time, as well as the latest updates to our services please visit our website.

British Red Cross is avalaible via telephone for free and confidentially, everyday 10am to 6pm 0808 196 3651. The friendly and experienced volunteers on the British Red Cross support line are there to help you cope with feelings of loneliness, mild depression, isolation and grief after bereavement. They can also help you get medicine and food.

Childline – speak to a counsellor by calling 0800 1111  or via 1-2-1 chat between 7.30am & 3.30 am every day.

Samaritans – If you need someone to talk to, Samaritans are avalaible to listen. They won't judge or tell you what to do. Get in touch by calling 116 123.