|
Friday 14 May 2021 (Update #216)
 Thanks to the common sense of most people and the successful COVID-19 vaccination programme, we can all look forward to Step 3 of the Government's roadmap out of lockdown on Monday.
You can read more about what Step 3 will mean for you in the article below.
However, with cases of the Indian COVID-19 variant more than doubling in England in the past week many experts are worried. Public Health England scientists believe it is "at least" as transmissible as the so-called Kent variant now dominant across Europe. Others think it may be able to spread a lot faster.
Fortunately there is no evidence this variant is vaccine evading. However, if it was to lead to high rates of transmission then this could cause a wave of infection and hospitalisations. As the Prime Minister said at his press conference this evening, this new variant could see serious disruption to progress against coronavirus and the opportunity to reach Step 4 in June.
There is also currently no evidence this Indian variant causes more severe disease but the Government has taken the decision to accelerate the vaccination of those over 50 years old and those who are clinically vulnerable with their second dose of the vaccine. Instead of a 12 week interval betwen doses this will be cut to eight.
As the Indian variant does appear to be becoming the dominant variant in London, it reminds us how important it is that if we do meet people inside from Monday that we make sure the space is well ventilated.
Open windows and doors if you have visitors to your home, take the vaccine when you are offered it, and encourage others to as well.
Minimise how many people you’re in close contact with, and for how long, and get tested twice a week. More information on that below. As always, wash your hands and clean surfaces regularly to remove virus particles.
As we are returning to some semblance of normality from next week this will be the last of our Living in Havering special COVID-19 updates. Since the pandemic struck we have produced 216 of these bulletins designed to keep Havering residents informed and safe.
Starting next week Living in Havering email bulletins will be published twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays.
Stay safe, and I'll end this message with some wise words for all of us as we face the next set of changes to our lives from Monday. They come from Adedotun Fagade of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Rainham: Let others feel valued every day.
If you want to contact me directly, you can email me.
Cllr Damian White
Leader, Havering Council
Many of the rules and guidelines that apply in England will change from Monday (17 May) as we reach Step 3 on the Government's roadmap out of lockdown.
Here's a reminder of some of them:
Care homes
Care home residents can leave the home to visit lower risk outdoor spaces (such as parks) and attend appointments important for their wellbeing.
Funerals
The legal limit on the number of mourners at funerals will be lifted. Venues should set limits based on individual capacity and continue to follow COVID-Secure guidelines.
Hotels
The accommodation sector, including hotels, hostels and B&Bs, may reopen for use. Groups of up to six people, or two households, can gather indoors.
Indoor entertainment
You will be able to visit indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas and children's play areas.
Indoor exercise
You will be able to take part in indoor adult group sports and exercise classes. Where possible, keep your distance from others and remember to clean equipment after use.
Indoor hospitality
Indoor hospitality will reopen for table service for groups of up to six people or two households.
Outdoor gatherings
Gatherings of up to 30 people outdoors will be allowed. Please remember to keep your distance.
Sports events
Performances and sporting events will be able to take place in indoor venues, subject to capacity limits.
Weddings
Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings and receptions.
|
If you are aged 38 or over, you can book your COVID-19 vaccination now.
Take up of the vaccine is a key way in helping to get things back to normal and will protect you, your friends and your family.
|
 Regular, twice-weekly rapid testing for people without COVID-19 symptoms is available for everyone in Havering to help make sure you're not passing on the virus without knowing.
There are over fifty places in Havering to get tested or to collect a home testing kit. Find your nearest testing site and collection point.
If you aren't sure how to do a rapid test at home, visit one of these centres first and be shown by the professionals. You can then take a test kit home with you to use in subsequent weeks.
You can also order a test kit online.
You should still use testing even if you have had one or both doses of the COVID-19 vaccination.
Have symptoms?
It remains vitally important to book a test if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
On Saturday 22 May Hornchurch Football Club meet Hereford FC at Wembley Stadium in the FA Trophy Final.
Defender Rickie Hayles, is pictured after the club's dramatic 5-4 penalty shoot-out victory over Notts County in the semi-final.
Rickie scored one of the penalties that meant the Mighty Urchins progressed to their first-ever Wembley final.
Hornchurch FC's history dates back to 1923 when the team was formed as Upminster Wanderers. In 1952 they changed their name to Hornchurch and Upminster as they prepared to move into the new Hornchurch Sports Stadium. The club took up residence there in November 1952 and has remained there ever since. In 1960 the club became Hornchurch FC.
Read more on the club's history and revival after a financial collapse in 2004.
The FA Trophy Final will be shown live on BT Sport 1 and has a 4.15pm kick-off.
|
Your child can help to shape the future.
The Children’s Commissioner has launched The Big Ask and wants to hear what’s important to Havering children and what they think is holding them back.
Care leavers and adults can take part too.
|
As a consequence of the UK leaving the European Union a number of the rules regarding importing and exporting goods have changed, or will change.
Keep up-to-date, watch instructional videos, and register for upcoming webinars to learn about new rules for customs import declarations, import controls and more.
|
The Government has launched a call for evidence to better understand women’s experiences of the health and care system.
This will form the basis of a government-led Women’s Health Strategy, to improve the health and wellbeing of women across England and place women’s voices at the centre of their care.
This survey closes on 13 June. Anyone aged 16 or over can take part.
The survey takes about seven minutes to complete and may help improve how women receive and are treated within the health care system.
|
A new regular feature in our Living in Havering newsletters will be a What's Happening section.
It's an opportunity for local organisations, voluntary or charity groups to promote their activities or events free of charge. If you have something you would like to be featured, send the information (100 words maximum) plus any pictures to us by email.
Any events must take place in Havering, or be organised by groups based in our borough. No submissions are guaranteed to be published and no specific dates for publication can be given.
If you want a guaranteed advert on a particular publication date or dates, we have a range of value-for-money advertising opportunities. Email for more details.
 The Liberty of Havering Outdoor Bowling Club meet at Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch Road, Hornchurch RM11 1JU.
The club would love to welcome new members and invite you to come and learn a new form of exercise at their friendly and sociable club.
The bowling green is open from May to September.
If you are interested, contact Anne Phillips on 01708 470370, or Sheila Burton on 07949 307336.
Brookside Theatre is a key part of the arts and cultural life of Romford.
The windows of this important community asset are in a state of disrepair and urgently need replacing if the theatre is able to reopen its doors when safe to do so, following its forced COVID-19 closure.
New windows would greatly improve public safety and the aesthetics, security and energy efficiency of this historic building.
So far 51 backers have pledged £6,770 towards the theatre's target of £10,544.
Can you help them reach it?
|
Until Monday, the Government advises that travel should be minimised.
Resurfacing work in Slewins Lane in Hornchurch is expected to be completed by 19 May.
A special anti-skid surface will then be laid on the approaches to The Drill roundabout and Ardleigh Green Road on 1 June.
During the work, which will be carried out overnight, Slewins Lane will be closed to through traffic with diversions in place.
Towards the end of May, a special surface designed to prevent skidding and improve safety will be laid in parts of Squirrels Heath Lane on the approaches to the Zebra crossings by Elvet Avenue and Ashlyn Grove, and on the approaches to the Brentwood Road mini roundabout.
From next week carriageway resurfacing will take place on Waterloo Road in Romford. This is part of the Romford ring road. The work will take place overnight beginning on Tuesday,18 May, for the southbound carriageway, and on 21 May for the northbound carriageway.
Bird Lane in Upminster will be closed at its junction with Hall Lane between 9.30am and 3.30pm on Tuesday 18 May for aerial cable replacement work by Openreach.
Kenilworth Gardens in Hornchurch will be closed at its junction with Station Lane for gully works between 18 and 21 May.
|
On the buses
From Monday (17 May) the capacity of buses will be doubled.
You will be able to use most seats on buses with the capacity of double-decker buses increasing to around 60.
This will enable more people to travel on the bus network as Government restrictions continue to ease.
Rear-facing seats in bays will be blocked off to continue to reduce the risk of coronavirus transmission.
TfL Travel Ambassadors in magenta tabards will be on hand at key locations to welcome people back to the transport network and to help everyone travel safely.
One-way systems and extensive signage on trains, trams, buses and stations will help maintain social distancing.
Due to Network Rail undertaking engineering work in connection with the Barking Riverside project, c2c train services will not run on the Rainham line this weekend (15 and 16 May). Rail replacement buses will run between Upminster and Grays via Rainham.
|
From next week this Living in Havering email bulletin will be published twice, rather than three times a week. These bulletins will be published every Tuesday and Friday. So the next publication date will be Tuesday 18 May.
If you currently only receive these bulletins once a week it is probably because you opted during your original sign-up, or subsequently, to receive a weekly digest rather than each bulletin on the day of publication.
If that is the case for you, and you want to change that, let me know by email and I can make sure you receive every bulletin as soon as it's published.
Peter Stremes, Editor
|
