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Wednesday 6 January 2021
The Prime Minister has announced a new national lockdown and instructed people to stay at home to control the virus, protect the NHS, and save lives.
The decision follows a rapid rise in infections, hospital admissions, and case rates across the country, and our hospitals are now under more pressure than they have been at any other point throughout the pandemic.
An estimated one in 30 people were infected with COVID-19 in London between December 27 and January 2, official figures show.
We’re asking everyone in Redbridge to do their bit and follow the rules currently in place. This means you must only leave you home for the following reasons:
- shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
- go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
- exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area
- meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
- seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness, or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
- attend education or childcare - for those eligible
All primary schools, secondary schools, and colleges will move to remote learning, except for the children of key workers and vulnerable children. Schools will be required to provide remote education for those learning at home.
Early years settings (including nurseries and childminders) remain open.
All non-essential retail, hospitality, and personal care services must close or remain closed. Restaurants can continue delivery, takeaway, or click-and-collect of food and non-alcoholic drinks, but venues will no longer be able to serve takeaway or click-and-collect alcohol.
Essential shops and garden centres can remain open.
The full details on what you can and cannot do are available here
Message from Redbridge Council Leader, Cllr Jas Athwal
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The Leader of Redbridge Council has responded to the national lockdown announced by the Prime Minister.
Cllr Jas Athwal said: “Coronavirus cases in Redbridge are very high, among the highest in the country, and our hospitals are in danger of becoming overwhelmed. Nine months ago, at the beginning of this dreadful pandemic, we took to our streets to applaud the work of our amazing NHS staff, care home workers, and those key workers who keep our services running.
“We must act now to support our doctors, nurses, hospital porters, social care workers, and all other key workers to enable them to continue to save and improve lives. I would also like to thank our teachers, teaching assistants, and school support staff for constantly rising to the challenge of putting our children first despite very difficult circumstances.”
Read the full statement here
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 Redbridge Council is now offering Lateral Flow Device (LFD) testing, also known as rapid COVID-19 testing to residents. These tests are strictly for those who don't have any COVID-19 symptoms and are either unable to work from home or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. People who do not fall into this category should please stay at home as per the national guidance.
These tests are one of the new tools being used to help detect and fight COVID-19. Research shows that one in three people who have coronavirus never show any symptoms, but that does not mean they are not infectious.
The tests are quick and convenient, delivering results in under 30 minutes.
Residents can get tested between 10am and 7pm daily at the following venues:
- Redbridge Central Library, Ilford, IG1 1BP
- Wanstead Youth Centre, 144 Elmcroft Ave, E11 2DB
It’s always better to book your test in advance. Walk-in appointments can be limited, and you may have to wait.
 If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste), please self-isolate as soon as you can and get tested at one of the sites below.
You can do this by booking an appointment online, ordering an at-home testing kit, or calling 119.
The testing sites are located at:
- Mildmay Road Car Park, 1 Mildmay Road, Ilford IG1 1HW
- Gants Hill Library Car Park, Cranbrook Road, Ilford IG2 6SX
- Charteris Car Park, Charteris Road, Woodford IG8 0AL
All testing centres are open seven days a week between 8am and 8pm.
 The NHS has started to deliver COVID-19 vaccines to people across the UK, in what is the largest vaccination programme they have ever undertaken.
Over a million people in the highest priority groups have already received the vaccine in the UK. In Redbridge, almost 3,000 vaccines were delivered across our sites between 16 & 21 December.
You may have seen the media coverage concerning the vaccine delivery programme.
The government has decided that the delivery of the Pfizer-BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines should be given to as many eligible people as possible before the second vaccine dose is administered. This decision has been taken based on the scientific findings concerning the effectiveness of the first dose.
GPs will be contacting some people who have had their first dose of the Pfizer vaccine to delay their second dose.
We would also ask people to please remember the following:
- please don't contact the NHS to seek a vaccine; they will contact you. In the situation where you have a query about your existing vaccination appointment or an existing appointment you have missed, you must contact your own GP.
- when they do contact you, please attend your booked appointments
- you must continue to follow all the guidance to control the virus and save lives
Please check our website for the latest updates and a vaccinations Q&A.
 If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise, or if it is essential. You should stay at home and not attend work.
If you cannot work from home, your employer may be able to furlough you under the COVID-19 Job Retention Scheme.
If you have been told by the NHS to self-isolate, either because you have tested positive for coronavirus COVID-19, or you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive, you may be entitled to some financial support during your self-isolation period.
If you are eligible, you will receive a Test and Trace Support Payment of £500.00
If you have any questions, please email us here.
If you need support, our Wellbeing Service can also help and support people at the greatest risk from coronavirus in the borough.
This includes advice or assistance with food, medication deliveries, and signposting to support they might need to keep them safe and secure in their home or place of residence.
You can also call the well-being service on 020 8708 5555. We are open five days a week, from 9am to 5pm.
 With national lockdown measures now in place, you might experience some changes to council services, so we can continue to support residents.
For information on council services, click here.
 Healthwatch Redbridge are aware that some communities and individuals are undecided about having the vaccination.
Healthwatch Redbridge are currently asking people to tell them if they were offered the vaccination, whether they would have it, and if not, why not.
You can do this through their survey link. Please do share the link with colleagues, family, and friends, to help develop a better understanding of where there might be concerns, and to help ensure relevant information can be provided in order for individuals to make informed choices on being vaccinated.
 The Council has been alerted of a COVID-19 scam in which a fake survey asks residents to provide details of how they have coped with the pandemic and to provide personal details, including their bank details.
This survey has not been sanctioned or authorised by any local authority. Please take great care when providing your personal details to any third party.
If you would like to report any instances of fraud attempts, please email them here.
 For many parents in Redbridge, the current lockdown will bring added challenges of juggling parenting and working from home, with home-schooling. Here are some helpful tips and advice to get you through lockdown with the kids.
Help keep your kids moving indoors with The Body Coach, Joe Wicks, and his PE with Joe exercises classes. The classes are designed for children to support their emotional and mental health, and will start from next Monday on his YouTube channel. Live sessions will be on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday at 9am.
Here are some other helpful tips for managing your new working day:
- Establish a daily routine for yourself and your children
- Continue to make pack lunches for younger children, maybe similar to what they had in school, to ease the lunchtime and snack pressure on yourself
- Communicate with your partner. If you live in a two-parent household, discuss your workload with one another so that you can establish how your working days are going to run alongside taking care of your children
- Be honest with your work team. During such an uncertain time, it is important to be honest with yourself and those you work with. Daily hours may need a more flexible approach. You can discuss this with your line manager
The NSPCC lists an extensive range of activities and online support resources to help parents juggle working from home and childcare.
There are also some great links to online learning resources through the BBC - click here.
 With people now confronted with the prospect of spending more time together under the same roof, domestic violence can sadly increase as a direct result.
If you’re concerned for your safety or that of a loved one, please visit www.redbridge.gov.uk/reachout or call 0800 145 6410.
In an emergency, always call 999, and don't forget you can seek help to escape domestic abuse.
 During lockdown, we are asking all residents to consider the wellbeing of children in Redbridge.
Unfortunately, more children may be at an increased risk of abuse, harm, and exploitation from a range of people whilst at home.
Please report any concerns, no matter how small here or call our child protection team on 020 8708 3885.
 Having the flu jab is even more important this winter. Catching COVID-19 and flu together may cause severe complications. In some cases, it could also result in death.
If you're pregnant, obese, or have an underlying health condition such as diabetes or asthma, please don't delay in booking your flu vaccine via your GP or local pharmacy.
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