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Friday 11 December 2020 (Update #151)
 We continue to battle against rising COVID-19 rates and we need your help.
As I write, the possibility of more severe restrictions looms over Havering's residents and businesses. I do not underestimate the damage those restrictions – which could come in as early as next weekend – may cause. That’s why I am asking you to be extra safe and vigilant this weekend to save lives and jobs.
Please watch this video to understand the devastating impact COVID-19 is having on the lives of Havering residents of all ages.
I know with the festive period around the corner, it's really tempting to socialise with friends and family inside but we currently have the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases we have had at any point during the pandemic. Deaths are rising too: this is not about numbers on a spreadsheet, it's about people.
We all need to ensure we reduce the transmission of the virus, which is now spreading in all areas of our borough.
Vaccines will not be rolled out to the majority of residents for months to come, so please protect yourself now.
Please make sure you don't invite anyone you do not live with into your home, or meet with them in indoor venues such as pubs or restaurants.
As an authority with smaller budgets compared to some London boroughs and, as a result, fewer staff, this means that they have have been working flat-out since March to keep everyone safe.
That's why I asked the Government for additional support.
We have already had assistance this week from the Metropolitan Police with more officers to enforce COVID-19 restrictions in our borough, and I'm pleased to say that from tomorrow we will be getting help with additional testing in Havering’s secondary schools. This is so school children, teachers and parents who aren’t showing symptoms, but may nonetheless be infected, can get tested ahead of Christmas.
More information about the sites and how to access them can be seen immediately below.
Anyone who does have symptoms should immediately isolate and book a test.
Please stay at home as much as you can and follow the guidance and have a safe weekend.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
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Some Council car parks will close from tonight to allow for testing for secondary school pupils, staff and their families with no COVID-19 symptoms.
All secondary school staff, students and families of children who do not have COVID-19 symptoms are now asked to get a test from this weekend.
The testing sites, which are only for those who do not have any symptoms and only for staff and students of secondary schools and colleges and their families, will be at:
- Havering Town Hall, Main Road, Romford RM1 3BD (in front of Town Hall)
- Dorrington Gardens car park, Hornchurch RM12 4HX
- Viking Way car park (The Council-owned car park not the supermarket car park), Rainham RM13 9YG
The Council-owned public car parks at Dorrington Gardens and Viking Way will remain closed from tonight, Friday 11 December until further notice.
The testing sites will be available between 9am and 3pm on Saturday 12 December and Sunday 13 December and for at least the next week after that.
The sites will only have a limited number of tests each day at each site and tests will be available on a first-come-first-served basis. Residents do not need to book a test but are asked to bring a smartphone with them if they own one, to make the process as quick as possible.
More testing sites are planned to be located at schools over the next week.
For anyone experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, Havering has three permanent COVID-19 testing centres open seven days a week, 12 hours a day.
Residents can get tested at one of the sites if they have symptoms of COVID-19 – a continuous cough, a high temperature or loss of taste or smell.
To get tested you must book an appointment. See our video on what the test involves.
Today the Government has announced that from this Monday (14 December) those who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus will have to isolate for 10 days instead of the current 14 days.
People returning from abroad from countries which are not on the travel corridor list will also see their isolation period reduced to 10 days from Monday.
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Havering Council is providing free parking in all Council car parks at weekends until 3 January.
This is to help support local businesses in our high streets and town centres over the Christmas period.
Parking fees are suspended on Saturdays, up until, and including, 2 January.
This is in addition to the free parking on Sundays already in place, which will continue.
Please support our local shops, but do this safely, as the virus is still very much alive in Havering as our weekly report shows.
The Council is also continuing to provide a Havering Heroes parking permit for NHS and other key workers.
This enables them to park in resident bays and Council car parks free, for up to three hours during the week and weekends.
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The festive period is an important time for many people and the Government has made changes to the social contact restrictions that will apply between 23 and 27 December.
During that time we must each continue to take personal responsibility to limit the spread of the virus and protect our loved ones, particularly if they are vulnerable.
Given that Havering remains the borough with the highest rate of new infections in London, please carefully follow the guidance and act cautiously.
Unfortunately, this may mean that it isn’t possible to celebrate Christmas in the way you normally would.
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A series of virtual events to mark the start of the festive season have been organised by Havering Council's Events Team.
Today (Friday 11 December) it's the turn of Rainham.
The entertainment tonight includes song performances by Coco Hickey, Keira Bracken and Amelia Roberts, and Lauren Cleland singing 'O Holy Night'.
Other entertainment will include Thunder Productions performing Christmas poetry, and Lightnin' Drama Group performing jolly Christmas songs for children.
You can join in the celebrations on the Council's Facebook or YouTube channels tonight, or watch later at your convenience.
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On Monday (14 December) the focus of seasonal celebrations moves to Harold Hill.
The entertainment includes a nativity performance by pupils from Drapers Maylands Primary School at 6pm, and a vocal performance by Hazel Gibbons at 6.30pm.
Also on the menu is dance from Poppy Dent-Jones at 7pm with choreography by Amy Edwards of Starshine Stage School.
Rounding off the festivities is Harold Hill's very own Elvis impersonator with a special Christmas performance by Chris Vegas at 7.30pm.
Join in the celebrations on the Council's Facebook or YouTube channels, or watch later at your convenience.
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To help businesses keep their staff and visitors safe, we have produced a series of downloadable posters featuring the latest Government guidance on COVID-19.
The posters cover hand-washing reminders, social distancing, and other basic coronavirus advice.
There are also individual posters on mask-wearing, and lift and toilet usage.
We encourage you to print and display these posters on your business premises, and any place of work.
To keep up to date with the latest guidance for businesses, subscribe to our Business Briefing email bulletin.
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The year of COVID-19 has increased awareness around mental health and the needs across Havering, and surrounding areas.
Havering Mind is at the forefront of providing support and information to local people, and is working hard to support as many local residents as they can.
The charity is looking to recruit a number of people to join their Board of Trustees, and provide positive leadership and direction.
Applications are welcomed from people of all ages and backgrounds. Mind wants to broaden the diversity of their Board to create a group that truly represents the communities that they serve.
If you or anyone in your network is interested in becoming a trustee of Havering Mind please download a recruitment pack.
Send your completed application form before Friday 29 January 2021.
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If you’re visiting our parks this weekend, remember that if your children use the play equipment, they should not put their mouths on it.
Hand sanitiser should be applied before and after they use the climbing frames and swings.
Please also follow social distancing guidelines and use bins for any masks, gloves or empty sanitiser bottles.
Help us to keep you and others safe while enjoying our parks.
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The transition period after the UK left the EU ends in 21 days' time on 31 December.
Make sure you are ready for the changes ahead.
There are new rules for importing goods from the EU to Great Britain, and for businesses exporting to the EU.
If you are an EU/EEA citizen living in Havering who hasn't yet applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, you should do so as soon as possible.
While the EU Settlement Scheme is open until 30 June 2021, you should apply by the end of this month because free movement of people ends on 31 December 2020.
The Government’s new immigration system begins on 1 January 2021, which will change the rights of European citizens who are new to the UK.
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Last year, cyber criminals stole an average of £775 from each victim.
Due to coronavirus, more people will be doing their festive shopping online this year.
This means more opportunities for hackers to carry out cyber attacks. They often do this by targeting people and businesses using email and website scams and malware - software that can damage your device or let a hacker in.
If hackers get into your device or accounts, they could access your money, your personal information, or information about your business.
Don't let that happen to you.
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On average, your black rubbish sack contains up to 50 per cent food waste.
During the festive season this can increase to a whopping 80 per cent.
There are lots of ways you can help us reduce this waste - and save yourself money.
This ranges from getting creative with your leftovers, to using a compost bin, to reducing the waste.
If you have a real Christmas tree you can recycle it after the festivities are over.
Local charity, Saint Francis Hospice, operates a home collection service for old Christmas trees in return for a voluntary donation.
You can also recycle your tree at Gerpins Lane Reuse and Recycling Centre in Upminster, or at Gidea Park Sports Ground, Main Road, Romford, on Saturday 9 January between 10am and 2pm.
Lastly, you can, if you wish, use our wheeled bin Garden Waste Collection service provided your tree is cut up and placed in your green bin with the lid closed.
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Work on gas pipes in New Road, Rainham will continue for two more weeks.
Access will be maintained to properties and businesses in the road at all times, but there will be a temporary ‘no left turn’ restriction into New Road from Bridge Road.
Resurfacing works will also be taking place in Harold Wood in Mount Avenue, on 14 December, in Craven Gardens on 15 December, and in Maylands, on 16 and 17 December.
Harold Court Road in Harold Wood will be resurfaced from 18 to 21 December. Work will take place on each of those days between 8am and 5pm. During the work the road will be closed to traffic.
Repairs to a bus stop and resurfacing work in Collier Row Road, Romford will take place between 11 and 26 January. Carriageway resurfacing work will also be taking place in Brentwood Road at the Drill Roundabout from 11 to 13 January. This will be followed by the laying of high friction surfacing to the roundabout approaches between 27 and 29 January.
Straight Road in Harold Hill between Gallows Corner junction and Faringdon Avenue will be resurfaced from 13 to 15 January. During these overnight works Straight Road will be closed to southbound traffic.
Although Christmas will be different this year, most of the Transport for London (TfL) public transport network will be operating as usual over the festive period.
TfL is advising customers to plan ahead and avoid the busier times (especially on 23 and 27 December) by using its travel tools - including Journey Planner and TfL Go, the real-time travel app - which is now available on Android as well as iPhone.
Due to Network Rail undertaking engineering work in connection with the Barking Riverside Project, c2c train services between Upminster and Grays via Rainham, will not run on Sunday (13 December) until 2.25pm. Until that time rail replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays, via Rainham.
Face coverings must be worn for the full duration of journeys on the public transport network, including inside stations, and in taxis and private hire vehicles.
If you do not, you could be denied travel, or receive a minimum £200 fine (reduced to £100 if paid within 14 days) which will double each time you are caught not wearing a face covering, up to £6,400.
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