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12 January 2021
National lockdown. Know the rules
 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.
You must stay at home. But there are exceptions, please check what the full set of regulations mean for you.
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.
 One thousand and fifty-six (1,056) Hounslow residents have had a Lateral Flow rapid COVID-19 test during the first week of the new testing service going live in the borough, with more seizing the chance to book tests online.
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 over the age of 18 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.
Next week, new testing sites will open at Wellington Day Centre (from Monday 18 January onwards) and Isleworth Library (from Tuesday 19 January onwards).
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.
 Did you know that you can get tested for COVID-19 at home? If you have COVID-19 symptoms you can order a home test kit simply by calling 119 or online. Remember, you must self-isolate until you get a negative result.
Other tests include;
- Going to a local walk-through test centre in Feltham and Heston, or
- Visiting a Mobile Testing Site
You can't access a test site without booking in advance online or by calling 119.
 Please do not contact your GP for a COVID-19 vaccine. The NHS is prioritising vaccinating people who experts have agreed will benefit the most. It's being given to people aged 80 and over, people who live or work in care homes, and health and social care workers at high risk. You will be contacted by your GP practice when it is your turn.
We are running a short ‘Coronavirus pulse check survey’ and would like your thoughts on the impact of the pandemic on you and your family. It will only take a couple of minutes for you to complete the survey. Your feedback will help us to improve the support we are providing to Hounslow residents.
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 We have started vaccinating residents in Hounslow against COVID-19 and we are looking for volunteers to support our Vaccination Centres so that we can vaccinate residents as quickly as possible.
Volunteers will assist with marshalling patients at the Vaccination Centres, organising parking and performing simple tasks including:
- Welcoming people into the Vaccination Centre
- Ensuring that patients respect guidelines regarding social distancing
- Managing the flow of people throughout the building.
- Providing patients with leaflets and written information regarding their vaccination
- Assisting with other non-clinical requests from staff
Volunteering will involve attending a Vaccination Centre and you should be prepared to comply with the usual government guidance including wearing a mask and maintaining social distancing. You must not be from a clinically extremely vulnerable group and you must be sufficiently mobile to be on your feet for the duration of your volunteering shift if required.
Volunteers must be aged 18 plus.
A DBS is not required.
- All volunteers will be trained on site by a member of NHS staff.
- Volunteers will receive a lateral flow test to check for symptoms of COVID-19 before their shift.
If you have any questions about this role please email: HOUCCG.communications@nhs.net
 A support bubble is a support network which links two households. You can form a support bubble with another household of any size only if you meet the eligibility rules. It important to know that you should not form a support bubble with a household that is part of another support bubble.
You can form a support bubble with another household of any size if:
- You live by yourself – even if carers visit you to provide support
- You are the only adult in your household who does not need continuous care as a result of a disability
- Your household includes a child who is under the age of one or was under that age on 2 December 2020
- Your household includes a child with a disability who requires continuous care and is under the age of 5, or was under that age on 2 December 2020
- You are aged 16 or 17 living with others of the same age and without any adults
- You are a single adult living with one or more children who are under the age of 18 or were under that age on 12 June 2020
If you live in a household with anyone aged under 14, you can form a childcare bubble. This allows friends or family from one other household to provide informal childcare. You must not meet socially with your childcare bubble, and must avoid seeing members of your childcare and support bubbles at the same time.
 Hounslow Council's local COVID-19 Contact Tracing team is here to support residents and help to get coronavirus under control. Council staff may call you if you have tested positive for COVID-19. This is to help notify any one who you may have been in contact with and reduce the spread of the virus. Please answer when we call so that we can complete this important work and help keep coronavirus under control. During the call we will also check if you need any support or assistance such as with food shopping, collecting medication or debt advice.
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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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 tonight, 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 Thursday 14 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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 There have already been 52 deaths recorded with COVID-19 in Hounslow this month. How many deaths before we all follow the rules? Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives. View all the rules
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