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5 January 2021
Havering is now under new national restrictions which legally come into force from 00.01am tomorrow, (Wednesday 6 January).
The new lockdown restrictions will cover the whole of England.
You must stay at home, apart from limited exemptions set out in law.
As with previous Tier 4 restrictions - Non-essential retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities, and personal care services must remain closed.
People must work from home if they can, but may travel to work if this is not possible, for example in the construction and manufacturing sectors.
People should not travel outside of their local area and residents must not stay overnight away from home. Residents are also not permitted to travel abroad apart from limited exceptions, such as for work purposes.
You can only meet one person from another household in an outdoor public space for exercise (when on your own and no more than once per day).
All of the borough’s leisure centres will remain closed until further notice. Outdoor sports courts, outdoor gyms, golf courses, outdoor swimming pools, archery/driving/shooting ranges and riding arenas must also close. Organised outdoor sport is not allowed to continue except for disabled people.
Colleges, primary and secondary schools will stay closed and will only remain open for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half term. Early years education, such as nursery schools, is not covered by the latest guidance and can remain open but school-based nurseries are expected to follow the lead of the school and not open.
Romford Market will stay open but only stalls selling essential food will be trading.
Havering Council will make further announcements about how the new restrictions affect council services in due course. Follow us on Twitter for latest announcements.
Councillor Damian White, Leader of Havering Council, said:
“This new national lockdown will affect all of us and I know will once again cause further disruption, distress and worry for our residents and businesses. I want to reassure you that your Council will be there to offer the help and support needed to get us through this together – just as we have done throughout this pandemic.
"However, right now, there is no responsible option for any of us but to abide by the new rules in full for as long as they are in place because ultimately this is about saving lives and protecting the NHS.
"There is further advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people, those who need to self-isolate and for our local businesses below."
If you, or someone you know, has concerns around care, urgent issues with their health and wellbeing or lack of access to supplies, including food and medicine, please call our free to use helpline: 0800 368 5201.
You can also email us if you, or someone you know, needs help.
Havering Helps includes the COVID Winter Grant Scheme administered for Havering Council by charity DABD that provides extra support to families with children who are on welfare benefits or on a low income. It can help pay for food, energy bills or essential items such as warm clothing, blankets, repairs and white goods replacement.
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 Residents who are clinically extremely vulnerable are being told to shield again. As with previous lockdowns, the Government and Council will be writing directly to clinically vulnerable people to offer further advice and support. There is also additional advice on the Government's website.
Those who are clinically extremely vulnerable should not attend work, school, college or university, and limit the time you spend outside the home. You should keep social contact with others to a minimum and only go out for medical appointments, exercise or to collect essential items such as food or medicines.
Please remember there is local support available to residents who may feel lonely or isolated at this time.
If you have COVID-19 symptoms, testing sites are available at the rear of the Town Hall in Romford, Cherry Tree Lane, Rainham and Dagnam Park Drive, Harold Hill.
To use these centres it is best to book a test online or call 119.
Community testing is also available for anyone without COVID-19 symptoms, at four local testing sites.
Tests are available on a walk-in first-come, first-served basis. See our website for details of locations and opening hours.
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You are required by law to self-isolate if you test positive for Covid 19 or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace.
To assist people on low incomes, there is a support payment.
If you must self-isolate, are unable to work from home, are losing income, and are claiming qualifying benefits or working tax credit, you are eligible for the £500 ‘Test and Trace Support Payment'.
If you live in Havering, have been instructed by the NHS to self-isolate and meet the eligibility criteria mentioned above, please go to our partner charity DABD's website and fill in the Test and Trace Support Payment form.
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 The new national lockdown will mean significant changes to the way Havering businesses can operate at this time. To keep up to date with the latest changes for businesses, subscribe to our weekly Business Briefing.
If you’re visiting our parks, remember that if your children use any play equipment, they should not put their mouths on it.
Hand sanitiser should be applied before and after they use any climbing frames and swings.
Please also follow social distancing guidelines when walking on pathways, and use bins for any masks, gloves or empty sanitiser bottles.
Please be respectful of other park users, and the pace of some users and help keep yourself and others safe while enjoying our parks.
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Collections of black sack rubbish and orange sack recycling waste continues to operate on a revised schedule until the usual schedule resumes on Monday 18 January.
Please don't put your black and orange sacks out until your revised collection date, as this minimises the risk of animals ripping bags open and causing littering.
If you have run out of orange sacks for recycling you can use any other clear bag or collect more orange sacks from main libraries in the borough when they are open.
There will be no garden waste collection service until Friday (8 January).
Bulky collections will start again on Monday 11 January 2021.
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If your child is aged between 3 and 4 years old, they are due to start at an infant or primary school in September 2021.
Applications are open now and will close on Friday, 15 January.
If you live in Havering you can apply using our website.
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