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Monday 3 August 2020
 Right now we have a clear choice.
Continue to control COVID-19 if we all do our bit, or see the number of cases of the ghastly coronavirus continue to rise if we don’t.
Fortunately we’re a long way from the rates of new cases being reported in places like Greater Manchester, but the number of new cases locally is increasing here too.
Unfortunately there are still many Havering residents who don’t know how the NHS Test and Trace scheme plays a major part in keeping the infection rate low, or how to get a test.
If you have any COVID-19 symptoms stay at home and get tested as soon as possible and follow the instructions of NHS Test and Trace if they contact you.
A mobile testing unit will be visiting the Town Hall regularly (details below) and will also be operating in neighbouring boroughs when it’s not in Havering.
If you test positive you now need to isolate for 10 days.
Playing your part will keep the borough out of lockdown – and protect vulnerable people, perhaps including your family and friends, from serious harm.
Lastly, some good news.
From today you can park for free for up to one hour in any of Havering's on-street parking bays, and we have more of them! See the article below for the details.
It's all part of our comprehensive plans to support local businesses and help them beat the coronavirus crisis.
Please do your bit to keep yourself, and all of us, safe.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
From today (3 August) there will be a free one hour for all on-street parking in marked parking bays in Havering, Monday to Saturday.
Also, from today, additional Pay & Display and cashless parking bays have been introduced in and around Hornchurch town centre.
These bays are to help increase the availability of short stay parking to enable residents and shoppers to support our high streets safely and conveniently, as part of the recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
The additional bays are located in Fentiman Way, Mavis Grove and Fairkytes Avenue.
Additionally, parking in on-street parking bays and in all Council car parks is free on Sundays from 9 August.
From today parking charges apply in all Council car parks and for on-street parking of more than one hour.
Remember, when parking in our car parks, you can get a 20 per cent discount if you pay via the RingGo App.
NHS and key frontline workers can apply for a Havering Hero parking permit.
The permit allows the holder to be able to park in resident parking bays for a maximum stay of three hours with no return to that bay for two hours, and also in Council-run car parks for a maximum stay of three hours with no return to that bay for two hours.
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It's even more vital now that we all continue to play our part to slow the spread of the deadly coronavirus and help save lives. This means:
- Wearing a face covering on public transport, in shops, supermarkets and whenever you can't keep a safe distance from others.
- From this Saturday, 8 August, you must also wear a face covering in any libraries, museums, cinemas, or places of worship you visit.
If you, or someone in your household feels unwell, stay at home. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, request a test immediately by calling 119 or by visiting the NHS website.
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A mobile testing unit for COVID-19 will be at Havering Town Hall again later this week.
Before you attend the site in Romford, you will need to make an appointment.
The testing at the Town Hall rear car park is between 10.30am and 3.30pm, on Thursday 6 August and Sunday 9 August.
Vehicles and pedestrians should enter via Park End Road, Romford RM1 4AU, where a one-way drive and walk through system will be in place. Please do not try to enter from Main Road.
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The team at For the Love of Scrubs BHRUT have been making scrubs for Queen’s and King George hospitals throughout lockdown.
They decided to use the off-cuts to make face coverings to donate to local charities.
Last week, Sharon Adkins, a Health Champion and part of Havering Council's Public Health team (pictured), delivered 300 of these face coverings to the Foodbank Coordinators.
They will provide them to families needing to use public transport and go into shops where face coverings are mandatory.
If you can, please use a reusable face covering that can be washed and then worn again. This helps reduce the amount of rubbish generated and littering.
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With temperatures expected to soar again across London later this week, please make sure to keep hydrated, stay in the shade and wear suncream.
Temperatures are most likely to peak on Friday.
Public Health England has advice on staying safe in a heatwave during the coronavirus pandemic.
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The annual Havering in Bloom competition has returned for the summer, and there is still time for you to show off your creative talents.
There are six categories to choose from with something for everyone, including Best Communal Garden and Tallest Sunflower.
Entry is free and there are voucher prizes for the top three in each category with £50 for the winner, £25 for the second place and £15 for third place.
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A team of five Metropolitan Police officers funded by Havering Council to tackle anti-social behaviour have seized over £1M of stolen vehicles and arrested over 100 people during their first six months.
Named the Havering Joint Task Force, the team are intelligence-led and tasked to tackle crime and anti-social behaviour hotspots.
Since its formation, the Task Force has arrested 104 suspects, with 41 of those arrests for residential burglaries and 11 for possession of offensive weapons.
A video summarising their success has been produced.
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We’ve been asking residents to have their say on plans to introduce safer streets around schools in Havering from next month.
The new School Streets scheme would introduce pedestrian areas in September around 18 of the borough’s schools at set times of the day in a bid to reduce traffic and improve safety and air quality.
Although parents won’t be able to use their cars to drop children off by the school gates under the new scheme, residents living in the affected streets will still be able to access the roads and also register for an exemption to the scheme so they aren’t at risk of a penalty.
A special Question and Answer event is being held with Cllr Osman Dervish, Havering’s Cabinet Member for Environment, and Havering Council's traffic and parking team, to help answer any questions or concerns you may have.
Join the event on our Facebook page this Thursday, 6 August, from 2.30 - 3.30pm.
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Now a free TV licence for people over the age of 75 is only available if you claim Pension Credit.
Pension Credit is a benefit for people over state pension age.
It is extra money that could top up your retirement income and help with the cost of living, but many people entitled to receive it could be missing out.
People who receive Pension Credit can also get free dental treatment and possibly help with Council Tax, housing costs and heating bills.
You may be eligible, even if you own your home or have savings.
You can apply by phoning the Government’s claim line on 0800 99 1234 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am to 6pm), or online via the link below. They will need to know some details about you to check whether you are eligible, including your National Insurance number and information about your income, savings and investments.
If you would like more information about Pension Credit, please call the Age UK Advice Line on 0800 169 6565.
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The national Eat Out to Help Out scheme has now launched with thousands of restaurants, cares and bars participating, including many in Havering.
Look for the Eat Out to Help Out stickers and posters in the windows of places taking part in the scheme.
The logo means diners that eat-in will benefit from a 50 per cent discount, up to a maximum of £10 per person, on food and non-alcoholic drinks, any Monday to Wednesday in August.
No voucher is required.
You can take advantage of the offer as many times as they like during the month.
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If you own or run a business that will need to complete customs declarations after the end of the EU Exit transition period, you can now apply for grants to help you manage the changes from 1 January 2021.
You can apply to get funding for:
- training that helps your business to complete customs declarations and processes
- hiring new staff to help your business complete customs declarations
- IT improvements to help your business complete customs declarations more efficiently.
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Sapphire Ice and Leisure, Hornchurch Sports Centre and Central Park Leisure Centre are all now open.
However, the centres are operating a little differently from usual for now.
For example, the ice rink in the Sapphire remains closed due to the Government announcement last Friday, so please visit the Everyone Active website for a list of activities available.
Measures are being taken to ensure centres remain a safe environment for all.
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