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11 May 2021

A happy and healthy Eid!

Eid Mubarak!

This is a joyous occasion and after a month of fasting, it’s almost time to celebrate. However, to keep yourself, your loved ones and your community safe we ask that you continue to observe the restrictions. Please remember to follow the rule of six and refrain from mixing households indoors.

Encourage your family and friends to get tested and get the vaccine as soon as they are eligible and let’s work together to get back to normal life this summer.

You can find more information on how to observe Eid safely and COVID-securely here from the Muslim Council of Britain.

Do you live in the Woodlands area or Isleworth area of Hounslow?

You may have seen in the news that Hounslow Council is working in partnership with the NHS to deploy surge testing in and around the Woodlands area and Isleworth area of Hounslow until this Friday (14 May). The testing follows the notification to the Council that a single case of the variant of concern first identified in South Africa has been identified in the Borough. This programme is a precautionary measure to help identify new variant cases and stop them spreading.

What this means is:

• Residents who live in and around the Woodlands area and Isleworth area are being asked to take a PCR test via Letter. If you receive a Letter from us at your home address, please do follow the instructions and get tested.
• Anyone living or working in the vicinity of Tesco Osterley (TW7 5NZ) or Isleworth Train Station (TW7 4BY), can also get tested at the Mobile Testing Units stationed there until 14 May. No appointment necessary. Please just drop-by.

For more information, visit: www.hounslow.gov.uk/surge-testing, where you can see a list of the postcodes covered by this testing and opening times for the Mobile Testing Units at Tesco Osterley and at Isleworth Train Station.

New locations for our rapid test Mobile Testing Units

If you don’t have COVID-19 symptoms, you can access your FREE rapid tests twice a week by using our Mobile Testing Units. They visit a number of sites across the borough during the week to help everyone return to a more normal way of life. No appointment necessary, please just drop-by!

As the locations of our Mobile Testing Units are subject to change at short notice, you can keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter page for the very latest details. For example, we now have Mobile Testing Units available at weekends, too and we’re visiting new locations such as Bedfont Lakes and Gunnersbury Park.  

For the latest local Covid-19 updates and information, please visit www.hounslow.gov.uk/coronavirus

Don’t forget! Our Feltham rapid test site has moved!

Last week we announced that we’re moving the location of our rapid test site in Feltham from Staines Rugby Club to Bedfont Library.

Staines Rugby Club closed as a rapid test site at 4pm today (Tuesday 11 May). Our new site is opening at 11.00am tomorrow (Wednesday 12 May) at Bedfont Library – Staines Road, TW14 8DB. It will subsequently be open seven days a week between 8.00am-4.00pm (Mon-Sun). Enter the door at the far left of the building for your twice-weekly FREE rapid tests. The main entrance will be for the library only, which will continue to be open as normal.

There are no changes to our other 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

Simply drop-in at a time that suits you seven days a week, or book an appointment online or call 0207 084 9697.

Aged 40 or older? If you're eligible, find out how to get your vaccine

If you are aged 40 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.

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 40 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.

Over 18? You may be able to get a vaccine at Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre

Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre and The Compass Centre at Heathrow are drop-in Pfizer vaccination clinics open for the eligible age categories (currently 40+). The Compass Centre is open Mon-Sun 9am-7pm and Brentford Fountain Leisure Centre is Mon-Thurs 9am-7pm.

Additionally from the evening of 12 May, if you're over the age of 18 you may be able to receive a Pfizer vaccine by queuing at the end of the day (after 5.30pm Mon-Thurs) pending vaccine availability.

You will need to bring photo ID and your NHS number if you have one. Queues are likely, so please remember to social distance and observe Hands, Face, Space.

If you're travelling to the Centre then please plan your journey to reduce contact as much as possible.

Drop ins are not available over the weekends.

Stay updated by following our Twitter page.

Has the pandemic affected your mental health?

Mental health deserves more attention than just one week.

The events of the last year have impacted everyone differently and if you've been struggling, you're not alone. 

As we follow the roadmap out of lockdown, we want to ensure residents can navigate any concerns or difficulties they have with the tools and support they need.

We have a range of mental health and wellbeing support available to help keep your mind well. Please head to our website or search 'Hounslow mental health support' for more information.

Get your vaccine at the Gurdwara

A COVID-19 Vaccination drop-in clinic to provide first doses will be open to eligible residents on Wednesday 19 May 2021 at the Sri Guru Singh Sabha Gurdwara on Alice Way.

No appointment will be necessary for the vaccination clinic, taking place between 11:30am-4pm.

Vaccinators will include Punjabi-speaking healthcare professionals and translations will also be made available.

If you have an NHS number please bring this but it is not absolutely necessary.

What will you need if you have to self-isolate? We can help you

Did you know there is support available for self-isolating residents?

There are lots of instances in which you might need to self-isolate - click here to find out when you should do so.

However, if you haven't had to isolate yet, and haven't had the chance to think about what your plan might be for food security, financial support, medical assistance or any other areas of concern, we can help you.

Visit our Community Hub for more information about all the support available to you and your loved ones.