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Wednesday 3 June 2020
 Throughout the COVID-19 crisis, the Council has done everything possible to support the borough’s businesses. We understand they are the backbone of the local economy and I know that, while this has been a testing time for everyone, local businesses in particular have felt the impact of lockdown measures.
This week I’m pleased that we are able to move forward with the first phase of the discretionary ‘top-up’ business grants. These funds are given by the Government for councils to support businesses that fall outside existing help already provided.
We are hoping to help as many businesses as possible which so far have not been eligible for financial support. This includes micro-businesses in shared offices, and retail outlets such as those in the Romford Shopping Hall, that don’t pay business rates separately. You can read more on this below.
Today also saw the reopening of our historic Romford Market after it was forced to close due to the coronavirus pandemic. I was so happy to be able to pay a visit this morning and to speak to traders who are getting back to business after what has been an extremely challenging time.
I would like to thank Council staff and traders who have helped to ensure social distancing measures are in place for the safety of all visitors.
Romford Market is part of what makes the town and our borough such a unique and special place. I encourage residents to visit and support our local businesses in a safe way that will allow us to continue on the road to recovery.
Lastly, this afternoon, I joined members of the Cabinet, along with Keith Prince, London Assembly Member for Havering and Redbridge, on a litter pick at Raphaels Park, Romford. I have had many emails from residents concerned about the increase in litter in our parks and public spaces.
While our parks and street cleaning staff are working tirelessly to keep Havering clean, the COVID outbreak means some services have fewer people working in them than usual. This means that bins cannot always be emptied as regularly as we would like. Members of my Cabinet will continue to do regular litter picks of our parks to try to help. I ask everyone to also pitch in. If you see a bin is full, please take your rubbish home. Let’s try to all do our bit to keep our parks clean for everyone to enjoy.
Please stay safe.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
 Romford Market has begun its phased reopening after months of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Today (Wednesday 3 June), saw food stalls back in business, while remaining retail stalls are set to return on Friday 5 June.
We have worked with stallholders to ensure special social distancing measures are in place to protect both shoppers and traders from the virus.
To help with social distancing, we have painted markers on the ground to help you keep a safe, 2-metre distance from others.
During this lockdown period, the Market Place car park has been free to use. However, please remember that the car park is unavailable for parking on Market Days (Wednesday, Friday and Saturday). For non-market days, drivers should check on-street signs for restrictions.
Public Health England (PHE) has translated the message that COVID-19 testing and treatment is free of charge, into 60 languages.
PHE has worked with Doctors of the World and the British Red Cross to provide detailed information and advice in languages including Lithuanian, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Urdu and French.
For information in other languages visit the PHE Migrant Health Guide.
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It's Breastfeeding Celebration Week. Breastfeeding is safe during COVID-19 but if you have any concerns, you can get support from our Infant Feeding Advisors by contacting 01708 432636 or email childrenscentres@havering.gov.uk.
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 Anyone who tests positive for coronavirus will be contacted by a contact tracer, made up of a team of 25,000 people.
They will need to share information about their recent interactions. This could include household members, people who they’ve had direct contact with, or have been within 2 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 those in isolation develop symptoms, they can book a test at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119.
Following the launch of the NHS Test and Trace service, aimed at contacting those who may have come into contact with someone with coronavirus symptoms. FullFact, the UK’s independent fact checking charity, is reporting that scammers could be exploiting the launch of the service. Watch out for fake Test and Trace messages that are actually phishing attempts to obtain personal information. There are a number of ways to verify if you are being contacted by genuine NHS Test and Trace staff.
Real contact tracers will never do any of the following:
- Ask you for details of card or bank account numbers
- Ask you to provide or fill in social media login details
- Ask you to set up a pin
- Ask you to download anything.
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Local businesses are being invited to join a Facebook Q&A on the new Top-up business grants.
The Facebook session will take place tomorrow (Thursday 4 June), at 5pm. Businesses that are unsure about the discretionary grant criteria, or whether they’re eligible will be able to put their questions to Havering Council Leader, Councillor Damian White, and members from our Economic Development team.
It follows the announcement that the first phase of the discretionary 'Top-up business grants' will be available from Monday 8 June.
The fund was issued by the Government for local authorities to be able to support some of those businesses that fall outside of the existing assistance available during the coronavirus crisis.
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 Thanks to Havering Sports Development securing funding from London Sport, weekly Para Athletics / Sports will return this Friday (5 June), at 5pm, with a live online session.
Hosted by coach Sheila, the sessions are for children and young people with disabilities (S.E.N.D) with lots of fun to be had.
If you're finding things hard emotionally right now, you're not alone.
Local charity Havering Mind, are here to help you cope with your thoughts, feelings, and issues that you are facing at this exceptionally difficult time.
They can help with stress, isolation, depression, loneliness, anxiety, low mood, worry and more.
It is understandable to feel worried or anxious as coronavirus is affecting all our lives, and many of us are worrying about what it all means for ourselves and for our loved ones. If you, or loved ones are living with mental health problems you are facing extra challenges too.
If you, or someone you know, need support with mental health issues, Havering Mind can listen and help identify ways to address them.
Call them on 01708 457040 or email reach.us@haveringmind.org.uk
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