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Monday 15 February 2021 (Update #181)
 In a week's time the Government will lay out its roadmap for the way out of lockdown.
The amazing vaccination programme has hit its target and the way people have responded to do their bit has been refreshing to see. More than 90 per cent of over 70 year-olds have accepted the offer of a vaccine, which is above expectations.
Nearly a quarter of Havering's population has now had their first dose of the vaccine. This is in no small part thanks to the local professional and volunteer teams who are making this happen. But there is a long way to go, and the Government is right to be cautious in the face of many calls for a rapid unlocking of our economy.
As our report last week showed, the number of people being treated for COVID-19 in our local hospitals is rapidly falling, but is still higher than at any point prior to November last year. We must not risk another lockdown.
A further lockdown will be far more costly than a measured gradual lifting of the current restrictions as and when the data shows sustained falling hospital admissions, reduced rates of infection, control over new variants of the virus, evidence that vaccinations do also reduce the spread of COVID-19, and completion of the two dose immunisation programme for over 50 year olds, health and care workers, and vulnerable people.
I hope everyone with school aged children will have a well-deserved half-term break this week, but please don’t let your guard down and continue to follow the Government's guidance around COVID-19. Pupils shouldn’t meet up with their friends, and should only leave home if it is absolutely necessary to do so. If anyone does have symptoms they should get tested and isolate for 10 days if their results are positive. See more on testing below.
If you want to contact me directly, you can email me. However, please be patient as there may be a delay of a day or two in getting back to you due to the volume of messages I am receiving.
Please stay safe.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Four local businesses have been awarded contracts to supply construction materials and services by joint venture partners, Havering Council and Wates Residential, as part of the borough’s biggest regeneration scheme.
This forms part of a pledge to boost the local economy and cut carbon emissions by spending a minimum of 20 per cent of the total programme value with local small and medium sized businesses. This means around £100m of contracts can be secured by local businesses.
Napier and New Plymouth House, in Rainham, is the first site to begin construction as part of the ‘12 estates’ regeneration programme.
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 The vast majority of frontline NHS and care staff, people living in care homes for older adults as well as people aged 70 and over have now been vaccinated.
From today (Monday 15 February) vaccinations begin for those aged 65 and over, and all individuals aged 16 years to 64 years with underlying health conditions which put them at higher risk of serious disease and death.
The order in which we are vaccinating residents is determined by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation.
If you or someone in your family is 70 or over, or defined as clinically extremely vulnerable, and you have not yet had, or been booked, for your first COVID-19 vaccination, you should now take action. Contact your GP for an appointment, or book your first vaccination online at one of east London's large-scale vaccination centres (including ExCel and Westfield), or call 119 to book.
If you have received a letter but not booked an appointment you may get a phone call from the NHS Immunisation Management Service. This call will be from the number 0300 561 0240. This will be a reminder to book your COVID-19 vaccination appointments. The person you speak to will see if you need any help and support.
Avoid scams
Please remember that contact from the NHS for COVID-19 vaccination may come by phone call, letter or text but will definitely NOT be by email.
COVID-19 vaccination is free.
We are aware in recent days of fake text messages pretending to come from the NHS regarding COVID-19 vaccinations.
These scam messages, like the one pictured, suggest that the person receiving the message has been chosen to receive the injection based on "family genetics".
If you receive such a text message delete it, and do not click on any links that it may contain.
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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, please call our free to use helpline: 0800 368 5201.
It is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm, and between 11am and 4pm on Saturdays and Sundays for emergencies only.
You can also email us if you, or someone you know, needs help.
See a short video recorded by a member of our hotline team.
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One in three people with COVID-19 have no symptoms, and can pass it on to others without realising.
If you cannot work from home please test twice weekly at one of our five lateral flow testing centres.
These rapid, Lateral Flow Testing (LFT) centres are open from 7am to 7pm on weekdays and 10am to 7pm on weekends. The Government has also now introduced a postcode checker that you can use to find your nearest rapid testing site.
See our short video that explains the simple process.
Of course, it also remains vitally important to book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms. Click for details of booking procedures, and opening hours for all our local testing locations.
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 Havering Council is providing support to low income families this winter via its Havering Helps scheme.
Following a successful assessment, families will be able to claim a cash payment of £170 to help with heating and other essential utility bills. If financial hardship continues, further applications can be made in subsequent months depending on need, up to a maximum of £1700 in the same year. Only one application per month can be submitted.
After recieving a payment, if you still require assistance the following month, you must re-apply.
Meanwhile, individuals or childless households with low incomes (less than £350 per week for individuals and couples), can apply for a cash payment of £100 to keep their homes warm this winter.
If financial hardship continues further applications can be made in subsequent months depending on need, up to a maximum of £1000 in the same year.
As it is half-term school holiday week, parks in Havering are likely to be quite busy, particularly if the weather is good.
If you’re visiting any of the parks for your permitted daily exercise, please remember that it should only be with members of your own household or social bubble - or with just one person from another household if really necessary.
If you can, please avoid busy times and follow social distancing guidelines when walking or jogging on pathways, and use bins for any masks, gloves or empty sanitiser bottles.
If you purchase food or drink from any of the takeaway kiosks or cafes in our parks, please maintain social distancing while queueing, and walk away to continue your exercise as soon as possible.
Children should use hand sanitiser after touching any play equipment or climbing frames.
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Havering Libraries are holding Wiggle and Giggle sessions suitable for children over two years old.
This is similar to Baby Bounce sessions, but aimed at older children.
These will be active sessions where the children, parents and carers will be on their feet joining in with the singing and dancing.
The first session will be on Tuesday 23 February from 11am until midday. Email to register for these weekly sessions or for further details.
Havering Libraries are also arranging a number of activities for the school half-term week. Daily storytelling sessionsat 11am run on their Facebook page.
These events are all suitable for children in school Key Stages 1 and 2. They are recorded sessions, so if you miss them at 11am they will stay up for a few weeks so you can catch them at a more convenient time.
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If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss citizen living in the UK, you and your family need to apply to the EU Settlement Scheme to continue to live, work and study in the UK after 30 June 2021.
In total over 5 million people have now applied to the scheme including nearly 20,000 in Havering.
You must have started living in the UK by
31 December 2020 to be eligible, unless you are joining a close family member who already holds status under the scheme, or is eligible and will apply to the scheme before 30 June 2021.
If you don't apply by the deadline, you can lose your existing rights in the UK including the right to live, work, rent and access free healthcare. There is no charge to apply to the scheme.
Irish citizens or those with indefinite leave to remain or enter do not need to apply, but can if they want to.
Until 30 June, you can continue to prove your right to work in the UK using your passport or national ID card.
If your application to the EU Settlement Scheme is successful you will be given online access to your immigration status, which you can use to prove your right to work in the UK. You can do this using the online Right to Work service.
If you already have settled or pre-settled status, you can choose to use that status to prove your right to work now (instead of your passport or national identity card), but it will only become mandatory to evidence your EU Settlement Scheme status after 30 June 2021.
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Census 2021 will be key to making sure the big decisions on the future of our
hospitals, schools, transport and other public services, following the pandemic
and EU exit, are based on the best information possible.
Run by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), the census - taking place on March 21 - is the once-in-a-decade survey that gives the most accurate estimate of all people and households in England and Wales.
In the coming days and weeks you will be hearing more and more about why the census is so important, why you must take part and, crucially, how you can take part.
Every household will soon receive a postcard, explaining what a census is, and in early March letters will arrive in the post inviting people to take part.
Particularly due to COVID-19, you will be encouraged, where possible, to complete the census online. It is simple, straightforward and should take just 10 minutes per person to fill out the form. If you, or a friend, neighbour or relation can’t get online, there will be paper forms available for those who need them, as well as support.
Census field officers will only follow up with households after Census Day on
March 21 if householders have not yet completed their questionnaire. They will
never enter a household, they will always be socially distanced, be equipped
with PPE and work in line with all government guidance.
Make sure you take part on Sunday 21 March.
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A free series of online classes are being offered to young budding cultural producers living in east London.
Consultants Beyond the Box, are looking for young people aged 14-25 years of age to take part in a series of classes that begin on Tuesday 9 March.
The course lasts for 10 weeks and the 90 minute classes are held on Zoom at 5.30pm every Tuesday evening.
The course is put on in assocation with many of London's leading cultural institions including the BBC, V&A Museum and the Royal Institute of British Architects.
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After a long delay caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Transport for London (TfL) is about to resume work on creating a new Toucan Crossing on Waterloo Road and by Union Road in Romford.
The second phase of the work will begin on 19 February. This will entail closing one lane of the ring road near the Brewery Shopping Centre.
TfL advise us that the work will be completed by 19 March, subject to weather conditions and no unexpected hold-ups.
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If you want to be nice to your noggin and have time at home then knitting can be very therapeutic.
Gidea Park resident Hetty de Boer has shown what can be done with her latest creation - a woolly noggin (pictured).
The coronavirus pandemic has been incredibly tough for many people with a huge impact on our mental health. From lockdown, to furlough, to the loss of loved ones, we’ve all found ourselves struggling to cope and feeling anxious at times.
It is only normal to feel uncertain about what the future holds and with limited contact with our friends, family, community and colleagues, taking care of our mental health and wellbeing has never been more important.
Support is available now to help you cope with the thoughts, feelings and issues you may be facing.
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