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11 April 2021

We're on track but Don't Blow It!

Step 2 of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown starts tomorrow, Monday 12 April.

From Monday, all non-essential retail; personal care premises such as hairdressers; public buildings such as libraries; leisure centres and gyms (with restrictions); and outdoor hospitality will be allowed to reopen. Self-contained accommodation such as campsites and holiday lets can also reopen.

While funerals can continue with up to 30 mourners, the number of people able to attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events such as wakes will rise to 15.

You will continue to be able to meet outdoors to socialise either with one other household or as part of a group no greater than six people.

You should continue to limit the number of journeys you take and will be able to travel and stay domestically overnight.

You must continue to work from home if possible, and travel abroad is strictly prohibited unless you are permitted to do so.

COVID-19 marshals will be out across the borough supporting businesses reopening and the Council has produced a toolkit for retail and hospitality venues below to help everyone keep to the rules and stay safe.

We are making good progress in the plans to lift lockdown but please remember that there are still steps we must take to keep ourselves and each other safe.

We must continue to work together, observe the rules and follow 'Hands. Face. Space' in order to prevent more infections, which would only reduce our chances of meeting the June 21 date and going back to our normal lives this summer.

Business bounce-back toolkit launched

Hounslow Council has created tailor-made toolkits to support local retail and hospitality businesses to get ready for reopening on 12 April. As well as all non-essential retail opening up, pubs, restaurants and cafes will be serving food and drinks via table service outside, in gardens and terraces.

The toolkits contain vital information and useful resources about the new rules and includes things like the dos and don'ts of using outdoor space, how to apply for a pavement licence, a reopening checklist, as well as useful links to Government guidelines and rules. 

Business owners in Hounslow are also invited to sign up for free face-to-face support and advice in applying the Government rules to their businesses. To book a slot, email info@saferbusinesshounslow.co.uk or phone 07944 373 605.

Welcome back from Lampton Leisure

Your local leisure centres in Hounslow are reopening on Monday 12 April. The teams are ready and excited to welcome you back and can’t wait to help you on your fitness journey! At this stage the gyms and swimming pools for adult lane swimming and Swim School will be opening across the centres. Other activities and facilities will be phased in when it is safe and viable to do so and in line with the COVID-19 roadmap.

To thank all of our members for their patience while we have been closed we will be giving you the rest of April and May free! If you are not a member yet, head to the memberships page on the Lampton Leisure website and sign up today.

All sessions need to be booked online prior to arriving at your local leisure centre, these are now available for you to book through the Lampton Leisure app.

See you in the centres from Monday!

Thinking about fostering? 

Why not join one of our information sessions in April? Our friendly and experienced fostering team will be talking about all aspects of fostering from your journey to getting approved and the training and support you will receive. There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions.

Online information sessions for unpaid carers

Hounslow Council and NHS Hounslow Clinical Commissioning Group invite you to the next monthly carer online information session. Each session is an opportunity to meet other carers online and get information to help you in your caring role. The sessions are for anyone who helps a relative or friend, without payment.

The topic of the next session is One Hounslow Connect - a new digital platform enabling residents to access information around what support is available to them in various life situations.

It takes place on Thursday 22 April from 1.00pm to 2.30pm (90 mins).

Don't miss out on the 2021/22 Garden Waste service

Hounslow Council’s garden waste collection service provides residents with fortnightly collections from 1 April 2021 to 31 March 2022, with a break of two weeks over the Christmas period. The service is a convenient, low-cost way for residents with gardens to dispose of cuttings throughout the year.

The annual cost of the service is £55 or £27.50 for those in receipt of Council Tax Reduction. New subscribers will be provided with a 240-litre brown wheeled bin or two heavy duty 90 litre sacks. 

Everyone can now get a free Rapid Test twice weekly

If you don’t have COVID-19 symptoms, getting tested twice a week will help you to protect yourself, your family and your friends as we all start to look forward to a more normal way of life. Rapid tests are quick, easy and you get your results within 40 minutes. So as you start to head out and about more from Monday, why not get a rapid test on your way to meet a friend, on your way to the shops or on your way to the hairdressers? If you haven’t had a rapid test before, don’t worry. We’re here to help you. Watch our short video to find out more and then drop-in, or book an appointment, at one of our testing sites where our staff will guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have. We have testing sites at: Heston Library – New Heston Road, Hounslow TW5 0LW – Open 6.30am-7.30pm Mon-Fri, or 8.00am-4.00pm Sat/Sun Hounslow House – 7 Bath Road, Hounslow TW3 3EB – Open 8.00am-4.00pm, Mon-Sun Isleworth Library – Twickenham Road, Isleworth TW7 7EU – Open 8.00am-4.00pm, Mon-Sun Staines Rugby Club, Snakey Lane, Feltham TW13 7NB – Open 8.00am-4.00pm, Mon-Sun Book online or call 0207 084 9697 to make an appointment.

Do you run a business?

Did you know you can access quick, free and regular workplace testing for you and your staff, if your employees do not have COVID-19 symptoms and they cannot work from home? Getting a rapid test every few days will help to contain the spread of the virus and protect you, your loved ones, your colleagues and your customers. You must register by 11.59pm on 12 April 2021. If your business is closed or you cannot provide tests now, you should still register so you can order tests in the future.

Over 100,000 people in Hounslow have had their vaccine - if you’re eligible, get yours

If you are aged 50 or over, are clinically vulnerable, a frontline worker or a carer, you can now book your COVID-19 vaccination through the NHS website even if you haven’t yet received a letter. Appointments are available at sites across the Borough and also Ealing, Wembley and Hammersmith.

You must book your appointment before you go to a vaccination centre.  We are aware of other scam messages circulating – please ignore them. The NHS will never ask you for money or your bank details for your vaccination – it is free. 

You can book an appointment now if:

• you are aged 50 or over
• you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)
• you are an eligible frontline health or social care worker
• you have a condition that puts you at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
• you have a learning disability
• you are a main carer for someone at high risk from coronavirus

You can book appointments at a larger vaccination centres or a pharmacy that provides COVID-19 vaccinations.

Please make sure you plan your journey responsibly to allow for as much social distancing as possible.

Visit our vaccine hub for more information.

And finally...

Hounslow families offered free fun activities over the holidays

Keeping children occupied during any holiday is always a challenge, but don’t worry, we’ve got a few brilliant ideas to keep the kids busy this Easter holiday.  

From fitness to dance, theatre and discussions, sign up and take part in the fun!

Any family that is entitled to benefits-related free school meals can also apply for a free place for their child at a range of holiday clubs and activities. For those families that can afford to pay, there will be a charge.