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Friday 9 April 2021 (Update #202)
 On behalf of the residents and businesses of Havering, I would like to express our deep sense of loss at the death of His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.
Through initiatives like the Duke of Edinburgh awards which have benefited so many young people, and through his visits to our borough, he has left an indelible mark on Havering.
As a mark of respect, Havering Council has joined other local authorities across the country in lowering the flags at the Town Hall, Romford to half-mast.
Residents who wish to pay their respects may leave flowers and tributes on the lawn in front of the Town Hall – but please do so safely and in line with COVID-19 government guidelines.
We give thanks for His Royal Highness’s tireless service to his country and the Commonwealth in war and in peace and of course we send our heartfelt thoughts and prayers to the Royal Family and in particular Her Majesty the Queen, in whose grief we share.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
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Havering's Mayor, Cllr John Mylod, has recorded a special video tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh.
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Please accept my sincere condolences on the sad occasion of the death of His Royal Highness Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, KG, KT, OM, GBE.
Colonel Markham Bryant MBE, DL
Representative Deputy Lieutenant
London Borough of Havering
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Prince Philip dedicated his life in the service of our Queen, Country and Commonwealth and will forever be remembered by our grateful nation and people.
The United Kingdon was a better place for his presence as consort to our Sovereign.
In March 2003 I was proud to welcome the Queen and His Royal Highness upon their arrival in Romford Market. A day that I and the people of Romford will always remember with great fondness.
May he rest in peace. Thank you, Prince Philip.
Andrew Rosindell MP
Havering's two other MPs also paid tribute to the Duke of Edinburgh in the Romford Recorder:
"I am saddened to hear of the Duke's death and pay tribute for his service to the nation.
This service included his active duty in the Royal Navy during the Second World War in the defeat of Nazism.
My thoughts and prayers are with Her Majesty the Queen and all of the Royal Family."
Jon Cruddas MP
"I recall Prince Philip being taken to hospital the day after he stood for hours in the cold and rain to watch the Queen's Diamond Jubilee flotilla in 2012.
He carried on not just out of respect for his wife but for the countless ordinary people who had worked so hard to put on the event.
That stoicism, that sense of duty, that lack of complaint was indicative of the lives of service he and her Majesty the Queen have led.
We are all grateful to Prince Philip for the tremendous support he has given the Queen as our country's longest-serving consort."
Julia Lopez MP
 Here's a summary of what can open from Monday and what is, or is not permitted under Step 2 of the Government's roadmap out of coronavirus restrictions:
- Indoor leisure (including gyms) open for use individually or within household groups.
- Rule of 6 or two households outdoors. No household mixing indoors.
- Outdoor attractions such as zoos, theme parks and drive-in cinemas.
- Libraries and community centres.
- Personal care premises.
- All retail.
- Outdoor hospitality.
- All children’s activities, indoor parent and child groups (up to 15 parents).
- Domestic overnight stays (household only).
- Self-contained accommodation (household only).
- Funerals (30), wakes, weddings and receptions (15).
- Minimise travel. No international holidays.
Havering Council is providing free parking from Monday 12 April 2021 for four weeks, to help support our high streets and town centres as they re-open again.
Parking fees in all Council car parks and on-street parking bays will be suspended daily until and including 9 May 2021. (For the avoidance of doubt this does not include reisdence permit parking where the usual permits and restrictions will continue to apply).
This is in addition to the free parking on Sundays already in place, which will continue after that time.
The Council also provides a Havering Heroes parking permit for NHS and other key workers. This permit has been extended until 21 June 2021.
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Havering's libraries will begin to reopen from Monday 12 April as restrictions lift.
The service will re-open as a full ‘browse and borrow’ service starting with Harold Hill, Upminster, Hornchurch (located on the upper floor), Rainham, and Central Library in Romford on 12 April.
Gidea Park and South Hornchurch libraries will reopen on Wednesday 14 April.
Elm Park, Harold Wood, and Collier Row libraries will remain as COVID-19 rapid testing sites for those without COVID-19 symptoms. They will not be open as libraries for the time being.
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 One in three people with COVID-19 do not show any symptoms. As more and more people return to work, regular, twice-weekly rapid testing is now open to everyone in Havering to help make sure you're not passing on COVID-19 without knowing.
You can access asymptomatic twice-weekly testing by attending a test site to get tested, see how to take the test, or pick up tests to do at home.
You can collect home test kits without an appointment from any of Havering's Local Testing Sites, but do check opening times on our website before travelling.
Alternatively, you can order a test kit online.
Help us improve rapid COVID-19 testing in Havering by taking part in our short survey.
Have symptoms?
Of course, it also remains vitally important to book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms. There is information on booking procedures, and opening hours for all our local testing locations on our website.
Local leisure centres in Havering will reopen on Monday (12 April) as part of Step 2 of the Government's roadmap for the lifting of coronavirus restrictions.
Central Park Leisure Centre and Sapphire Ice and Leisure managed by sports and leisure operator Everyone Active in partnership with Havering Council will reopen their doors following a three-month closure due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Hornchurch Sports Centre has been replaced by the new state-of-the-art Harrow Lodge Leisure Leisure. The new centre’s facilities include a 25m eight-lane swimming pool, diving pool, sports hall, and group cycling studio.
This follows the reopening of several outdoor activities at Everyone Active sites on Monday 29 March, including the Noak Hill Sports Complex.
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Advertorial
Pinney Talfourd looks forward to opening the office doors again.
As the country eases out of the lockdown measures related to COVID-19, we are pleased to be able to begin welcoming clients back into our offices again. Our offices will be fully open to the public for all general enquiries and appointments from Monday 12 April.
All of our offices are COVID secure and you will be asked by staff to help us to maintain this.
Our staff will also remain contactable by email, phone, and video calls.
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If you haven't yet completed Census 2021, please do so as soon as possible.
Census field officers are following up with households that have not returned their questionnaire.
All genuine Census officers will carry an ID card with their photograph and name. They will not make calls before 9am or after 8pm, and will never ask for money or bank details.
Due to the Easter holidays there may be a slight delay in the census officers receiving confirmation that you have completed the census if you sent your form in by post. If that is the case for you, and an officer should call at your door, please politely advise them of this. You will not be in any trouble for returning the census "late" and only households refusing to complete the census run any risk of receiving a fine.
If you have any questions, or concerns as to whether a person claiming to be from Census 2021 is genuine, please call 0800 141 2021.
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Usual waste and recycling collections resume on Monday, 12 April.
Don't forget that if today, Friday, is your usual collection date, to put your black and orange sacks out for collection from 7am tomorrow (Saturday 10 April).
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Ramadan is expected to begin on Monday evening (12 April) after the sighting of the Moon over Mecca.
It is traditionally marked by regular communal prayers in mosques and shared meals - or Iftars - to break fasting during daylight hours.
Muslims should not let fasting over Ramadan stop them getting a COVID-19 vaccination.
As the vaccine goes into the muscle rather than the bloodstream and is not nutritious, it does not amount to breaking the fast.
Although communal worship is allowed across the UK, social distancing remains in place and different households cannot mix indoors.
The British Islamic Medical Association has issued guidance for mosques during Ramadan. They recommend keeping Taraweeh - the main evening prayers - short, and increasing ventilation.
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Havering Council is holding its Easter holiday para music session online.
This Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) session will be delivered by Havering Music School on Wednesday, 14 April.
It will offer musical and creative experiences in a relaxed group setting. No prior musical knowledge or equipment is required.
The session includes a variety of activities supporting musical expression, body awareness and movement and allows everyone to take part at their own pace.
A carer, parent, or guardian must be present throughout the session.
The session is free, but you must register for a place by Tuesday 13 April. To register or for further information call 01708 434135 or send an email.
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Thurso Close in Harold Wood will be resurfaced on 12 and 13 April. Work will take place between 8am and 5pm on those days.
Western Road in Romford will be closed at its junction with Mercury Gardens from 9am on Monday, 12 April, for sewer connection works. A diversion route via Mercury Gardens, Main Road, and Junction Road will be in operation until the expected completion date of 23 April.
Road resurfacing work will also be carried out in Shepherds Hill, Harold Wood next month. The road will be closed to through traffic with diversions in place between 9.30am and 3pm from 13 to 21 April.
Lastly, resurfacing work is planned for Warley Street in Upminster. This work will begin on 21 April and is due to be completed on 24 April.
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TfL Rail services out of Liverpool Street will be impacted by work to extend platforms at the station ahead of longer trains being introduced later in the year.
There will be no trains between Liverpool Street and Shenfield this weekend (Saturday 10 April and Sunday 11 April). Regular rail replacement buses will run, calling at all stations except Maryland.
The London Overground train service between Romford and Upminster will not run this weekend (10 and 11 April). Please use local bus services.
Due to Network Rail undertaking engineering work in connection with the Barking Riverside Project, c2c train services will not run this Sunday (11 April) between Upminster and Grays via Rainham.
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