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Friday 29 May 2020
 While there will still be challenges ahead of us, and while no doubt we all know someone close to us who has been deeply affected by coronavirus, it is good news that the government’s five tests have been met and we can look in coming days and weeks for ‘lockdown’ measures to start being relaxed for many of us.
We want our schools and nurseries to open again because that’s the best place for children to learn, but ensuring that it is safe for children, pupils and staff to return is our number one priority. I am pleased to see that a number have taken the steps they feel is necessary to re-open their doors from Monday.
We’ve been working closely with the schools and nurseries to ensure they have the information, support and protective equipment they need to keep themselves safe, and ultimately the decision about whether to re-open remains with the individual head teacher or nursery owner. If schools and nurseries can’t adhere to the guidelines, they have been advised not to open, and parents who decide to keep their children at home will not be fined. More on this below.
From Monday up to six friends or relatives will be able to gather in parks and gardens, provided they maintain social distancing. This is welcome, but as the Prime Minister said, try to avoid seeing people from too many households in quick succession to help avoid the risk of transmission from lots of different families. And keep those handwashing and other hygiene practices going.
For those of us fortunate enough to be able to have more freedom in what we do, let us all remember that some of our friends and neighbours won’t be in such a position. We must all continue to be kind and considerate in our behaviour, particularly around home gatherings and barbecues.
Lastly, each year, we celebrate the invaluable contribution that volunteers make to our community as part of Volunteers Week (1-7 June). This year’s celebrations, coordinated by the Havering Volunteer Centre, are calling on Havering residents to say ‘thank you’ to all our volunteers.
You can do this by decorating your windows with bunting and standing on your doorstep along with your neighbours to raise a cuppa (or a glass of something stronger) at 8pm this Monday, 1 June, and say ‘Cheers to the Volunteers’.
If you want to contact me directly, email me. However, please be patient as there may be a delay of a day or two in getting back to you due to the volume of messages I am receiving.
Please stay safe.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Schools and nurseries across the borough are preparing to gradually re-open from next Monday (June 1) after being given the go-ahead by the Government.
Ten weeks after going into lockdown, children in nurseries, reception and years 1 and 6 will be able to re-start lessons provided their school can show that they can meet the Government’s guidelines.
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Collections of bulky waste will restart across Havering from Monday (1 June).
The bulky waste service collects large items such as furniture and white goods, (fridges, washing machines etc.) for a fee.
Residents can now call or book online for the collection of these and other items that they can’t put in their usual rubbish and recycling bags.
Those residents who are currently on the NHS shielding list will be offered a free service at least until the end of June 2020.
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 If you, or someone you know, have concerns around care, urgent issues around health and wellbeing, or lack of access to supplies including food and medicine, please call our free to use helpline: 0800 368 5201.
It's open Monday to Friday 8.30am to 5pm and between11am and 4pm at weekends. Alternatively, email: covid19support@havering.gov.uk.
The lockdown may be easing but the advice for people who are ‘shielding’ has not changed - they are advised to continue to stay at home until at least the end of June.
If you, or someone you know, has had a letter advising that you or they ‘shield’ at home it’s still important you get medical help when you need it.
The East London Health & Care Partnership have updated information on their website about shielding.
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From tomorrow (Saturday 30 May) customers travelling on more than 120 of London’s bus routes will once again be required to enter through the front doors and touch in with their Oyster, contactless and concessionary cards.
Front-door boarding will be reinstated on further bus routes shortly, and it is anticipated that all London buses will have returned to front-door boarding by mid-June.
To ensure the safety of customers and bus drivers, new limits to the number of customers on board at any one time will be introduced. This will help customers to observe the national guidance to maintain a 2-metre distance between them and others wherever possible.
Double-decker buses will be able to carry 20 customers. Single-decker buses, depending on the size of the bus, will carry between six and 10 customers. The driver will have discretion to allow more customers on board if they are travelling in households or groups.
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 Now that the NHS Test and Trace service has launched if you test positive for coronavirus you will be contacted by a contact tracer.
You will need to share information about your recent interactions. This could include household members, people you’ve had direct contact with, or those you have been within two metres of for more than 15 minutes.
People identified as having been in close contact with someone who has a positive test must stay at home for 14 days, even if they do not have symptoms, to stop unknowingly spreading the virus.
If you develop symptoms whilst in isolation you can book a test online or by calling 119.
Just a reminder that refuse and recycling collections are back to their usual schedules from Monday (1 June).
On collection day please make sure your black and orange sacks are outside by 7am.
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In prepartion for the re-opening of Romford Market next week, the Market Place will be closed for all parking tomorrow, while work is carried out to put social distancing and safety measures in place.
Please find another car park. Parking in all Council-run car parks is currently free.
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If you are an EU citizen, or a relation of one who is applying for EU settled status, then help is now more readily available if you have yet to apply tho the EU Settlement Scheme as the Home Office support services have now all fully re-opened.
This includes the re-opening of the postal route for submitting identity documents for applicants who are unable to use the EU Exit: ID Document Check app to verify their identity.
The EU Settlement Resolution Centre continues to provide support seven days a week by email and telephone, in line with public health guidance to work from home where possible.
Further information, and a series of useful links, can be found on our website.
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Over the last couple of weeknds long queues of cars have formed around the entrance to Bedfords park in Havering-atte-Bower.
Lower Bedfords Road entrance has been congested and cars parking along both sides of the entrance road to the car park have prevented others from leaving.
This has caused a safety concern as an emergency vehicle would not have been able to get into the park if required.
Please park considerately when visiting any of Havering's parks. If you see or hear that a park car park is congested please consider enjoying the promised good weekend weather at another location. Havering is blessed with many beautiful parks some of which may be within easy walking distance.
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Havering Mind is holding ‘The BIG Family Quiz’ live on Facebook this Sunday, 31 May, at 4pm.
It promises to be a great a way of getting together with your family and friends 'virtually' and having some fun.
See if you can answer questions on popular family films and TV shows, whilst supporting this local charity.
If you would like to take part, join their Facebook page on Sunday afternoon.
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