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Friday 4 September 2020
 In recent days you have probably seen or read about the imposition of quarantine measures on people coming back to the UK from holidays abroad.
One number that often features in those reports is the COVID-19 infection rate per 100,000 people in a particular place. 20 has become a benchmark figure. Exceed that rate and there's trouble ahead.
This week we learned that Havering's number is 14.3, up from 10.1 the week before. This figure, and the fact that it is above the average for both London and England, is a real concern. We have now had a total of more than 1,100 confirmed cases of coronavirus in our borough and last week's new cases figure (39) was significantly up on the previous week. This is a wake-up call for all of us.
Thankfully the death rate from COVID-19 is now much lower than it was at the height of the pandemic in April. But I fear that the reduction in that death rate has led to many people becoming complacent about the risks to themselves, their family or loved ones.
Even if you don't die of the virus you may suffer long-term health consequences that are far more serious than catching the flu. You could unwittingly be passing COVID-19 on to people who are at far greater risk of dying from the virus than you are.
The other great risk is that if the infection rate continues to rise, Havering may be forced into a lockdown, as has been seen in other parts of the country. This will hurt everyone both economically and socially.
If you are taking the children back to school for the first time on Monday, or planning on enjoying a meal out this weekend, please do all you can to maintain social distance. Wear a face covering where it is required by law and if you think you may be in close proximity to lots of other people. Do us all a favour by helping to minimise the risk of a second lockdown.
Our #DoingMyBit campaign helps you play your part in preventing the spread of the disease.
See our video and visit our website for more information on how you can do your bit.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Please remember that all children and young people aged 11 or over must wear face coverings when using public transport unless they are exempt.
A number of high-frequency bus routes including the 5, which runs from Romford to Canning Town via Barking, and the 86 from Stratford to Romford will now have designated “School Services” replacing some of the regular buses.
The school services will only pick up school children and will run on weekdays between 7.30am and 9.30am, and also between 2.30pm and 4.30pm.
Parents, students and school staff are encouraged to walk, cycle or ride a scooter whenever they can.
If new staggered start times mean that you have to wait outside school gates for a while please maintain social distancing. Consider wearing a face covering or standing some way away from the school entrance to allow other parents to drop off children without coming close to lots of other parents.
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We are aware of rumours circulating on social media which suggest that, under the Coronavirus Act, school children displaying COVID-19 symptoms can be taken and detained by the state in a government testing centre and held for 14 days, plus tested without parental consent. This is nonsense.
The Coronavirus Act is very clear that schools can only screen or assess a child for COVID-19 in the presence of their carer, parent or guardian.
For most people, children and parents will be asked to isolate at home as a family for 14 days if required. If, for any reason, this isn’t possible, alternative arrangements will always be discussed with the parents or guardians.
If your child displays symptoms it is very important that they get a test and that they do not go to school or nursery so that they don’t make any other children unwell.
If they become unwell at school, you will be contacted, asked to remove them from school and advised to take them for a test.
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Havering Council has launched its new business toolkit to help businesses stay COVID-secure and do their bit to prevent a local lockdown.
As part of the Council’s #DoingMyBit campaign, which is working to help prevent the spread of infection, local businesses have been called on to get involved and show that they are committed to keeping the community safe.
The way that businesses operate, and the way customers use them, has changed dramatically due to coronavirus measures.
The toolkit provides a wealth of information on how businesses can ensure they are abiding by government COVID-19 measures and keeping staff members and customers safe.
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COVID-19 has changed the way businesses operate, and how Havering residents are using our local high streets.
Our #LoveHaveringShops campaign highlights the incredible work our local businesses are putting in to keep our community safe, and the Fatling Pub in Hornchurch has shared with us what they are doing to stay COVID-secure.
They have introduced a number of different measures targeted at helping both their customers and their staff stay safe.
They now have 10 sanitiser stations, screens at the entrance and order point, social distancing signage across their premises and all customers are required to participate in the NHS Test & Trace scheme. Customers can also now book their table online, as well as order through an app to reduce the number of people going up to the bar.
For the staff members, they have COVID-19 risk assessments for each role and a new outdoor sun shelter so staff can spend their break time outside in fresh air.
To be a part of the #LoveHaveringShops campaign, send an email to the link below with the subject heading 'Love Havering Shops', and share your story with the borough.
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Due to the Bank Holiday on Monday rubbish and recycling collections are a day later than usual this week.
So, if your usual collection day is Friday your black and orange sacks will be collected tomorrow, Saturday 5 September.
Please make sure all bags are outside your property by 7am on your revised collection day.
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A mobile testing unit for COVID-19 is frequently available in the car park at the rear of Havering Town Hall.
If you are planning on going to the test centre you will need to make an appointment.
Testing will be available at the Town Hall rear car park between 10.30am and 3.30pm this Saturday, 5 September, and also next Tuesday (8 September) and Friday (11 September).
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. Do not try to enter from Main Road.
Avoid using public transport to get to the test centre. Walk to the testing centre or use a car if possible, or request a test by post.
The testing is in the car park so please do NOT go into the Town Hall or Central Library buildings.
The majority of results for tests taken in person at mobile testing units are delivered the day after the test is taken.
We are aware that some people have not found it possible to get a test in Romford on the day they wanted. If you try to book a test and are unable to do so, or you are offered a location or time which is not convenient, please wait a few hours and then try again. There is also new additional capacity now available in neighbouring Barking and Dagenham.
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If you are over 65 help yourself and others stretch their legs with Streets Apart, the over 65’s walking programme.
This new short walks programme gives you the chance to join a regular walking group in your neighbourhood, regain fitness, build confidence and reconnect with others.
It might be a nature walk, local history walk or just stretching your legs to the shops - you decide.
Walks commence on 5 October.
Groups will be small and socially distanced, so that everyone can stay safe.
Walks begin in Hornchurch, Harold Hill and Harold Wood so if you live nearby and you’d like to join a walk us or volunteer, just give us a call.
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Extra weight puts extra pressure on your body.
This makes it harder to fight against diseases like cancer, heart disease, and now, COVID-19.
Losing weight can help reduce your risk.
One way you can do that is to follow the NHS 12-week weight loss plan, tailored to your needs.
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 The first tenants have moved into the new Hereford Gardens development, part of the wider project providing new homes along White Hart Lane in Romford.
The new site comprises of 5 two-bedroom houses, and 2 three-bedroom houses, all available for social housing. Each house includes a spacious kitchen and living area, two bathrooms, a landscaped garden and secure storage shed.
The site was once home to a group of dilapidated garages behind the White Hart Lane shops, before Havering Council demolished the land to create these high-quality new homes for local people.
Despite initial delays due to the coronavirus pandemic, the project has completed on time, and within budget.
Construction on a second site is already complete, and the properties will be available later in the year.
Do you have a community project in Havering?
There is now less than a week to go if you are planning on pitching to receive money from the Havering Together fund.
Don't worry, if you haven't made a start yet, there's still time as the deadline is Wednesday 9 September.
By pitching you could receive up to £5,000 towards your community project.
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New speed and weight restrictions will apply on the A127 Gallows Corner flyover from tomorrow (Saturday 5 September).
Vehicles over 7.5 tonnes will no longer be able to use the flyover and will need to use the roundabout underneath or find alternative routes.
Additionally, the speed limit on the flyover will be reduced from 30mph to 20mph. These new restrictions will help to protect the flyover and reduce the need for additional works ahead of a major maintenance programme planned for mid-2021.
Temporary traffic lights will be in use in Butts Green Road, in Emerson Park, between 9.30am and 3pm from Tuesday 15 until Thursday 17 September.
Havering Council will be carrying out overnight carriageway resurfacing work in Petits Lane North in Rise Park between Monday 21 and Wednesday 23 September.
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