 As you will all be aware, the government has outlined a plan to slowly relax lockdown.
But progress from one step to the next is conditional on maintaining control over the rate of new coronavirus infections – which remains the only means of protecting the vulnerable from serious illness and death.
I strongly encourage you to comply with the new regulations, no matter how frustrating that might be. In doing so, you are protecting yourself and family and reducing the chances that the full lockdown will need to be re-imposed at a later date.
So do continue to work at home if you can, and think carefully about how and when you will travel to work if you must.
Do take advantage of the opportunity to spend more time out of doors but please continue to observe social distancing rules. Please be aware that the Council will not open playground equipment until it is safe to do so.
It’s now recommended that you wear a face covering in enclosed public spaces such as shops and public transport when it is difficult to maintain social distance. This doesn’t have to be face masks, which are still needed by health and social care. There is plenty of advice available about how to make your own.
Do remember to wash your hands frequently and ‘catch it, kill it, bin it’ if you sneeze.
Finally, people with existing health problems are still not seeking the help they need from the NHS – this may be just as dangerous as the virus itself. The NHS is safe to use and open for business. If you need medical help then please seek it.
Mark Ansell
Director of Public Health, Havering Council
Havering Council has given £28,550 to local voluntary and community organisations as part of the second round of funding this week.
A total of six organisations from across the borough have received assistance after applying to the Havering Funding Programme. The fund was set up to help charities and voluntary organisations meet the rapidly changing needs of their communities in the wake of the COVID-19 crisis, and prepare for recovery once the pandemic is over.
This represents a total, so far, of £53,350 in grants made to local organisations.
The Havering Funding Programme is a partnership between Havering Council, community network, Havering Compact, and seed funding organisation for the non-profit sector, The Fore.
It enables smaller charities, and constituted charities or community groups, to apply for grants of up to £5,000 emergency funding.
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Today is Stroke Awareness Day.
If you think you or a family member have had a stroke, call 999 immediately.
If you are told to go to hospital, it’s important you go. The NHS is still open and there for you.
You can tell the signs of a stroke in the FACE, ARMS or SPEECH. Even if it’s just one sign call 999. Act F.A.S.T.
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In yesterday's bulletin we announced that fishing is once again permitted in a number of park lakes in Havering.
However, to fish in our park lakes you still need an Environment Agency rod licence.
The Environment Agency has rules on fishing including when and where you may fish. For example, Raphael Park in Romford is in its close season until 15 June and the lake in that park should not be fished until then.
When fishing please remember to follow the social distancing guidelines. Stay at least two metres away from anyone who doesn't live in your household. Don't block pathways so that other residents can enjoy our parks.
The Government has published a question and answer document explaining what you can, and can't do when out in parks or public spaces. Please follow that guidance.
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Havering Council is looking for people from all backgrounds to join our community of foster carers.
You can find out more at a virtual coffee morning tomorrow (Friday,15 May) at 11am, or at a Facebook Live event on Friday, 22 May at 10.30am when a foster carer and a child talk about their experiences.
Email fostering@havering.gov.uk or call 01708 434574 to book your place.
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 Havering Council is running a free-to-call helpline for residents with urgent emergency food or medicine needs because of coronavirus.
The helpline - 0800 368 5201 - is for you if you are already vulnerable and have no means of getting more food or medicine.
You can call between 8.30am and 6pm on weekdays and 11am and 4pm at the weekend. Alternatively, email: covid19support@havering.gov.uk.
Additonally, across Havering there is a wide range of support available to anyone affected by COVID-19.
Befriending line - The Tapestry befriending phone line, 01708 796611, is available Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and weekends, 10am to 4pm.
Bereavement line – Havering MIND is offering counselling to any Havering resident or Havering carer over 18 years of age, who has been affected by a bereavement or trauma relating to COVID-19. This free service is available seven days a week from 9am to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and 10am to 1pm at weekends.
Email help@haveringmind.org.uk or telephone 01708 457040, or visit the Havering MIND website to complete a referral form.
Havering Volunteer Centre – can assist with emergency supplies, medication delivery and collection, and even dog walking. Please call them on 01708 922214.
During the COVID-19 pandemic there has been a surge in the number of fake or phishing emails sent out.
Fraudsters are taking advantage of the number of people working from home to send out emails designed to steal your money or personal details.
These include scams claiming that you are in line for a Council Tax reduction or need to pay your TV licence.
If you receive an email that looks like the one pictured claiming to be from TV Licensing it is a scam.
Delete it and do not click on any links in the email.
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Tell-tale signs that an email is fake include dates shown in American rather than UK format, e.g. 5/14/2020 rather than 14/5/2020, as pictured.
If still in doubt, check on the sender's email address. If you hover or right click over the sender's name you will be able to see the real sender's email address.
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From 1 June some children across Havering are expected to make a phased return to their schools, early years providers and colleges.
This will only be done if the COVID-19 infection rate continues to decrease, and Havering Council can ensure that the guidelines set out by the Government can be effectively met.
In the meantime, schools, early years providers and colleges are being asked to plan for this re-opening, ensuring that it is as safe as possible for children, staff, and parents to return.
This will mean things will look different when pupils return. For example, children will be in smaller groups to reduce the risk of infection, they may not be in their usual friendship group or in their normal classroom, or with their usual teacher. The curriculum will also be different.
The return may also be staggered, children may not be able to attend every day, and the timings of the school day may also be changed to avoid parents congregating and putting themselves at risk.
Children will continue with the regular handwashing that was in place before the closure, and home school activities will still be planned for children continuing with home learning,
The Council's priority is to ensure that children and staff remain safe. This term parents will not be fined if they choose to keep their children at home.
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The government's Coronoavirus Job Retention Scheme will remain open until the end of October, following an announcement from the Chancellor earlier this week.
The scheme has been extended by four months and means furloughed workers across the UK will continue to receive 80% of their current salary, up to £2,500.
To help reopen the economy, the scheme will allow furloughed workers the chance to return to work part-time, with employers paying a portion of the salaries.
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Havering Music School and Arts Development Team are inviting you to create art work for the Music School's building.
Winning entries will be displayed on the Havering Music School website and permanently installed in their building, post lockdown.
To enter, please design a piece of art work using the theme of animals making music. The School is looking for fun pieces of art, showing the enjoyment that can be had in creating music and playing instruments.
Email a photograph (ideally at least 1MB in size) of the artwork by 30 June 2020 to arts@havering.gov.uk, with the artist's name and age.
For more information call 01708 434135.
Terms & Conditions: Free entry. Only original designs and pieces allowed. Copyright laws apply. All submitted works may be shared on all of Havering Council's social media accounts.
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Julie Wisker, the Manager of Bower Farm Livery Yard, Havering-atte-Bower, has written to us to share information that can help save the lives of horses:
It is lovely to see so many people out walking and enjoying the countryside, as long as they do not throw litter on the floor.
Unfortunately, there has been a growing number of horses made very ill, and some dying, because walkers are feeding them inappropriate things.
Horses cannot eat grass cuttings as they ferment in their stomachs, and carrots can give some horses colic. So please, however well-intentioned, don't feed animals you meet as you enjoy your time in the countryside.
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