 Hounslow is the borough with the highest rate of COVID-19 infection in London.
It is more important than ever to stay at home, keep your family and yourself safe and help protect the NHS.
Read the joint statement from the Leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Steve Curran and Director of Public Health, Kelly O’Neill here.
We all need to act responsibly, think of others and play our part to keep ourselves and the most vulnerable safe.
Please check what all the national lockdown regulations mean for you.
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.
 More than 3,500 Hounslow residents have now had a rapid test. If you haven’t had a rapid test yet, we have created a short video to guide you through the testing process and what is involved. Watch it here.
Approximately 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 have no symptoms, but can still pass the virus to others without knowing. We all need to play our part to reduce the spread of the virus.
Rapid testing is 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.
You can choose where you would like to have your test:
- Hounslow House
- Heston Library
- Wellington Day Centre
- Isleworth Library
The sites are dedicated to rapid COVID-19 tests and therefore in line with Government guidelines the libraries are not currently open or operating any services.
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.
 The COVID-19 vaccine is rolling out to the most vulnerable people now. This will take time, but the NHS is committed to vaccinating all people in the first four priority groups by the middle of February 2021.
Please do not contact your GP for a COVID-19 vaccine. The NHS will contact you when it’s your turn to have the vaccine. Remember that the vaccination is only fully protective three weeks after the second dose has been administered. Do not relax the hands, face and space measures.
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.
The Government has launched a new domestic abuse Ask for ANI codeword scheme, in partnership with pharmacies and Boots.
The Ask for ANI scheme allows those at risk or suffering from abuse to discreetly signal that they need help and access support. By asking for ANI, a trained pharmacy worker will offer a private space where they can understand if the victim needs to speak to the police or would like help to access support services such as a national or local domestic abuse helplines.
You can also seek support by getting 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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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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 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 anyone 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 COVID-19 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.
Hounslow Council has announced it will supply 750 extra laptops and 150 internet connections to children learning from home in the borough during lockdown.
The Council has been exploring ways to tackle digital exclusion highlighted by school closures during lockdown, with some children unable to access online learning because of a lack of equipment at home.
During the pandemic Hounslow Council has been distributing devices supplied by the Department for Education, but there is still a shortfall of equipment both locally and nationally.
Can you donate a laptop?
Richmond Rugby Club is currently collecting donated laptops that can be repurposed for children in local Hounslow schools. Volunteers will be collecting laptops outside Christ Church, Turnham Green in Chiswick this Saturday between 10 am and 12 noon.
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 Plastic masks and surgical gloves littering the borough’s parks, pavements, rivers and other public spaces are posing a serious threat to our wildlife, warns the Council.
Environmental officers are working hard to ensure the rising amount of discarded PPE is disposed of safely but are also risking their own health in the process.
The Council is urging residents to switch to a greener reusable alternative, as wearing a face covering becomes ever more important in the fight against COVID-19.
Hounslow Council has warned that communities based around airports, which have already endured major economic and social impact due to COVID-19, must not be forgotten as travel corridors close.
Leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Steve Curran reiterated his call for targeted Government intervention and support for the hundreds of thousands of people whose livelihoods are being devastated by the downturn in aviation.
Independent researchers Oxford Economics puts the costs to the local economy across West London from reduced operations at Heathrow, at £4 billion. The impact is expected to disproportionately impact Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic groups, as well as younger people. Similar impacts could be felt in aviation communities across the UK.
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 In partnership with NHS Hounslow CCG we are running a series of online information sessions for carers to support them during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The next session will be led by Public Health with a focus on vaccines, testing and safety measures for receiving care at home.
 Hounslow Connexions service is hosting a virtual jobs and training event for 16-24 year olds, looking for live employment, apprenticeship and training opportunities.
Connect to the New Year New Start Connexions virtual jobs and training event on 27 and 28 January from 5.30pm to 6.30pm.
This unique virtual event will provide the opportunity to hear from local employers, training providers, West Thames College and Hounslow Youth Council. They all have live opportunities for Hounslow residents.
If you have any questions or require assistance please email connexions@hounslow.gov.uk or telephone 020 8583 5151.
 We are still consulting on Hounslow's Low Traffic Neighbourhood and Streetspace schemes, which we are trialling across the borough.
The feedback gained will help determine the future of the schemes and will be considered alongside data for road safety, air quality and traffic.
We have held 9 consultations meetings to provide an opportunity for residents across the borough to learn more about the trials, ask questions and express views.
Residents can still share their views in writing. The deadline for written submissions is 31 January 2021. You can submit your contribution to the consultation online.
 We need your feedback about your local area, what makes it special, what you do and don’t like about it and the activities you undertake in different parts of the borough. The feedback you provide will help us understand what contributes to an area’s special character and how future improvements can enhance the design quality and character.
As rates of COVID-19 increase, Hounslow Public Health Officers and Representatives will be joining us live at the Bedfont, Feltham and Hanworth Area Forum to talk about COVID-19 and the impact on the borough.
Join us live on Tuesday 28 January at 5.30pm for the Bedfont, Feltham and Hanworth Area Forum.
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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 By filling in your census, you will help shape your community for the next 10 years.
 If you (or a family member) are an EU/EEA/Swiss national living or working in the UK, you need to settle your status before Brexit. Settling your status will allow you access to vital public services.
Hounslow Citizens Advice can provide assistance to vulnerable residents living in Hounslow and Ealing to make an application through the EU Settlement Scheme. The service is free, confidential and impartial.
Call the advice line on 0808 278 7830 or email referrals@hounslowcabs.org.uk.
 The programme is open to high street businesses in the borough of Hounslow and runs for 12 weeks.
Get access to a personalised growth plan, private strategy one-to-one sessions, workshops, networking, business clinics and much more.
All available online 24/7.
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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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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