The Mayor of London Sadiq Khan today declared a major incident as hospitals across the capital face being overwhelmed by Covid-19 cases. This will support the better coordination of arrangements to help the NHS manage demand.
Though this is a significant step, and one-in-30 Londoners are now thought to have COVID-19, it is not cause for undue alarm. Locally, services are still running as before and arrangements remain in place to make sure our most vulnerable residents are protected.
However, as Kelly O’Neill, the Council’s Director of Public Health, explains in her video below, cases of COVID-19 and associated deaths are rising rapidly in the borough. I urge you to watch it and heed her advice.
We need everyone to follow the rules - to stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. And, if you have to leave home, remember – hands, face, space. It’s simple, and anyone ignoring these rules is making a decision to put their lives, and those of others, in danger.
Our support to the most vulnerable and those in need remains in place and we are here to provide support to all of you who need it.
The difficulties on our hospitals need not become difficulties in our communities, but we need everyone in Hounslow to do their bit.
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Hounslow's Director of Public Health, Kelly O'Neill appeals to residents to stay at home during the third national lockdown as COVID-19 deaths in Hounslow are the highest they’ve ever been and the infection rate continues to rise.
We all need to act responsibly, think of others and play our part to keep ourselves and the most vulnerable safe.
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 Approximately 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 have no symptoms, but can still pass the virus to others without knowing.
Rapid testing is now available for anyone who does not have coronavirus symptoms and who still needs to go out for work – key workers, carers, tradespeople and essential retail workers – who need a quick result and regular testing. ‘Rapid tests’, or ‘lateral flow tests’, help reduce the spread of COVID-19.
You can book your rapid test at:
- Hounslow House
- Heston Library
The sites are dedicated to rapid COVID-19 tests and therefore in line with Government guidelines the libraries at both sites are not currently open or operating any services.
Other sites are due to open for pre-booked rapid test appointments and further details will be provided soon.
Sites will be open for pre-booked appointments only from 8am-4pm, seven days a week, for approximately six weeks.
Book your rapid test online www.hounslow.gov.uk/rapidtest or by calling 0207 084 9697.
 It is vital to get tested if you think you have COVID-19 symptoms. Remember, you must self-isolate until you get a negative result.
A range of COVID-19 tests are available - you can:
- Order a home test kit
- Go to a local walk-through test centre in Feltham and Heston, or
- Visit a Mobile Testing Site
You can't access a test without booking in advance online or by calling 119.
Hounslow and the rest of the country is now under national lockdown restrictions.
The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives. The new restrictions came into effect immediately.
You must stay at home. But there are exceptions, please check what the full set of regulations means for you.
If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local to where you live. You may only leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.
We all need to act responsibly, think of others and play our part to keep ourselves and the most vulnerable safe.
As well as following the national rules, it’s also important we all keep doing the basics - wear a face covering, wash your hands regularly and keep a 2m distance from others.
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Domestic abuse can happen to anyone. We're providing support and advice to any resident experiencing domestic abuse and also to people who want to report suspected abuse.
You can get in touch with Hounslow Domestic and Sexual Violence Outreach Service by calling 07810 031 780 or or the 24 hour National Domestic Violence Helpline on 0808 2000 247.
If you are in immediate danger please call 999.
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Over 50, pregnant or have a medical condition like diabetes? Visit your local pharmacist to receive your free flu vaccination and protect the NHS.
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 The NHS is here to help you but at this busy time make sure you go to the right place so you get the treatment you need quickly and safely. Evening and weekend appointments are available with GPs. If your surgery is closed call 111. Keep 999 and A&E for emergencies.
 We’re half way through the next round of Hounslow's Low Traffic Neighbourhood and Streetspace engagement.
The online consultation was extended until 31 January 2021 to allow further representations to be made following a series of online engagement sessions.
The feedback gained will be considered alongside other data, including road safety, air quality, and traffic data, to help determine the future of the proposals.
So far we’ve held consultation meetings for residents in Bedfont, Feltham, Hanworth, Heston, Cranford, Central Hounslow and Brentford. We also held two meetings for businesses across the borough.
Still to come are:
- Chiswick North, 8 January, 7pm
- Chiswick South, 11 January, 7pm
- Isleworth, 12 January, 7pm
- Chiswick South, 14 January, 7pm
- Chiswick North, 18 January, 7pm
Please register now so that your voice is heard.
As rates of COVID-19 increase, Hounslow's Director of Public Health Kelly O'Neill will be joining us live at the Chiswick Area Forum to talk about COVID-19 and the impact on the borough.
Join us live on Tuesday 12 January at 7pm for the Chiswick Area Forum.
We will have a local GP joining us live at the Central Hounslow Area Forum on Thursday14 January at 5.30pm to give a presentation on the effects of COVID-19 on the borough and the rollout of the vaccination programme.
You will have a chance to ask questions so get involved in the relevant area forum for you and submit your questions beforehand
For your next local area forum please visit our area forums page.
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Hounslow Council has awarded £47,041 to the Ealing and Hounslow Community and Voluntary Sector (CVS) to help local community and voluntary groups build their digital and IT programmes.
According to the latest charity Digital Skills Report, more than 52 per cent of charities do not have a digital strategy. Charities and groups both face challenges around funding, skills and infrastructure, which in turn serves as barriers to digital and IT.
As part of the digital and IT capacity building programme, the CVS will support 200 groups to increase their digital capacity through a mix of one-to-one and group sessions. They will recruit 100 digital volunteers to help deliver the project and are also recruiting for a new role to lead this project.
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We have launched the third phase of the Thriving Communities: Hounslow Respond Fund. Local voluntary and community sector organisations delivering services primarily aimed at Hounslow Council tenants to reduce the impact of the coronavirus outbreak can apply for this funding.
Applications are open until 9am on Monday, 25 January 2021.
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 We are offering free Christmas Tree collections this year. Real Christmas trees will be collected between Monday 11 January and Friday 22 January 2021. It is important to check when your collection day is.
The Christmas tree collection service only applies to properties using the black wheeled bin service. Residents that live in a flat should either speak to their managing agent and/or landlord on how to dispose of their tree or alternatively you can drop it off at one of the drop-off points listed above throughout January.
Designated collection points include:
- Hanworth Air Park
- Hounslow Heath
- Redlees Park
- Bedfont Lakes
- Gunnersbury Park
 We are providing a new free programme of business support to help town centre businesses in Hounslow trade safely and recover from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 12-week programme, funded by the European Regional Development Fund, through the Reopening High Streets Safely Fund, will help support the self-employed, pre-start, start-up and small businesses across all industries. Online workshops, networking events, business clinics and one-to-one support will be offered free of charge to enable local businesses to access expert advice from specialist consultants.
Hounslow Council is partnering with Watermans’ Arts Centre, Creative Enterprise West and Film/TV Producer, CarI Schoenfeld to provide a free development programme that aims to give creative producers the confidence to reach their creative and business potentials during the challenging times.
If you are considering growing your creative business, this is the perfect opportunity to join in a new initiative, where you get to meet a small group of creative producers to tackle similar issues, share insights and support one another.
The programme will begin on Friday 29 January, via Zoom.
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If your child was born between 1 September 2016 and 31 August 2017, they will need a Reception class place in September 2021.
Applications close on 15 January 2021.
Don't miss out, it's quick and easy to apply online. If you require advice and guidance please get in touch by emailing admissions@hounslow.gov.uk or call 0208 583 2721.
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Hounslow Council’s online library services have proved to be more popular than ever with e-audiobooks, e-magazines and e-books flying off the digital shelves. Anyone who is a registered library user in Hounslow can access a wide range of online services, including e-books and e-magazines, completely free as part of their membership. All you need is your library member number and pin as printed on your card. You can sign up to become a Library member here.
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Although we are in a national lockdown, we are delighted that the refurbishment works for Brentford Library are able to continue safely throughout this period. This ensures we are on track to be able to open this exciting new facility for the Brentford community this year.
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Our Hounslow Matters magazine is delivered to all residents four times a year. We want to make sure that it provides you with information you care about.
We want to get your views on its design, content, length - everything. The survey closes on 31 January.
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If you think you know someone who’d like to receive this e-newsletter, forward it on and they can subscribe here.
You can also follow us on social media using the links below.
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