Coronavirus update
This update includes important information on:
Update on Normacot testing
Hundreds of people in Normacot came forward for Covid-19 testing over the weekend and we'd like to thank them for their responsible and rapid response. We are continuing to work with local communities to manage an increase in coronavirus cases in the Normacot area.
Results
The results from the tests last weekend show that of the 398 people who were swabbed, 372 tested negative, the results are awaited on 15 cases, and 11 people tested positive. Including tests at bet365, it means that a total of 45 people have tested positive for the coronavirus in Normacot between 5-16 August. Coronavirus cases are monitored on seven-day totals, and city-wide the seven-day total of positive cases between 10-16 August is 55, of which 35 are from the Normacot area.
Extra testing session - Thursday, 20 August
The city council and the NHS are setting up another testing session which will take place on Thursday, 20 August between 10am and 3pm at Alexandra Infants School, Melville Road, ST3 4PZ. Please note that this session is for people who do not have symptoms of coronavirus. When coming for a test, please make sure you are social distancing and wearing a face covering.
If you have symptoms of Covid-19 including a high temperature, a new, persistent cough or a loss of taste or smell, please don’t go to Alexandra Infants School to be tested. Residents with symptoms must stay home and book a test at the local testing centres, at the bet365 Stadium, Stanley Matthews Way, Trentham Lakes, ST4 4EG or at Stafford Education and Enterprise Park, Beaconside, Stafford. You can book a test via www.nhs.uk/coronavirus, or ring 119, where help is available in other languages.
We are urging people in the Normacot area to get tested if:
- They have received contact from Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Public Health England or the NHS asking them to get tested.
- They have not done so yet.
Temporary closure of the Gillian Noor Mosque and Al Hafiz Academy
As a result of an increase in cases in the Normacot area, the Gillani Noor Mosque and Al Hafiz Academy have both taken the decision to voluntarily close to members of the public for the next 14 days. They closed at midnight on Tuesday, August 18. We are very grateful to them for taking this action as it shows how important it is to residents that they should not go out.
Ways to help protect yourself and others from coronavirus
All residents are reminded to continue:
- Washing your hands regularly with soap and hot water for 20 seconds.
- Stay home as much as possible. If you do go out keep two metres distance from other people.
- Wear a face covering on public transport, in taxis, in shops and in all indoor settings where the public have access, including places of worship.
- Minimise household to household contacts
- If you have any symptoms of a high temperature, a new, persistent cough or a loss of taste or smell, you must stay home and book a test. Please do not come to the Alexandra Infants School testing centre.
- If you are contacted by NHS Test & Trace, the city council or Public Health England, stay in for 10 days.
- If you are contacted by NHS Test & Trace, the city council or Public Health England, as a close or household contact stay in for 14 days.
For more information and advice on coronavirus (Covid-19) please visit Public Health England here and the NHS here.
Temporary closure of the Gillani Noor Mosque and Al Hafiz Academy
Due to coronavirus restrictions, we and our partners have made the difficult to cancel the Eid celebration event that was set to take place at Hanley Park on Sunday, 6 September. It is unfortunate that such celebrations and events cannot take place at the moment, and the activities proposed and large numbers of visitors this event is likely to attract would make social distancing difficult. Public safety is our priority and we'd like to thanks communities for their understanding and co-operation during these challenging times.
Cancellation of Eid event at Hanley Park
Due to coronavirus restrictions, we and our partners have made the difficult decision to cancel the Eid celebration event that was set to take place at Hanley Park on Sunday, 6 September. It is unfortunate that such celebrations and events cannot take place at the moment, and the activities proposed and large numbers of visitors this event is likely to attract would make social distancing difficult. Public safety is our priority and we'd like to thanks communities for their understanding and co-operation during these challenging times.
Government's easing of social distancing restrictions and tougher enforcement
The Government announced further easements to social distancing rules, with other parts of England's culture, sport, leisure and business sectors now being permitted to reopen - these include bowling alleys, skating rinks, casinos and indoor play areas. Beauty salons, tattoo studios, spas, barbers across England are now able to offer all close contact services and treatments. Following a series of pilots, indoor theatres, music and performance venues will also be able to reopen with socially distanced audiences. You can find the updated guidance here.
Tougher enforcement measures are now in place for the most serious breaches of social distancing restrictions. Fines will double to a maximum of £3,200 for those who repeatedly flout face covering rules, and on-the-spot fines will be introduced to those hosting or facilitating illegal gatherings of more than 30 people.
Leisure services survey - we need you
We're inviting residents to fill in a short survey to help us understand attitudes towards activity, exercise and local leisure centres. We're also asking some questions about exercise and physical activity during the coronavirus lockdown. All of your answers will help us to understand what things would stop you being active and from using your local leisure centre in the future - and help us to see what we can do to change that. Your responses are anonymous. Click here to go to the survey.
Second stage of Self-Employment Income Support Scheme
The second stage of the Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) is now open for applications. Those eligible will now be able to receive a second and final grant worth 70 per cent of their average monthly trading profits, paid out in a single instalment covering three months’ worth of profits, and capped at £6,570 in total.
Click here to find out more about the scheme.
The eligibility criteria remains the same as for the first grant, with people needing to have had trading profits of no more than £50,000, making up at least half of their total income. To make a claim for the second and final grant, the business must have been affected on or after 14 July 2020. HMRC has published guidance on deciding if a business has been adversely affected by coronavirus. This can be found here.
HMRC will contact all potentially eligible customers to advise them that they can claim for a second and final SEISS grant. The claim for the second and final grant must be made on or before 19 October 2020.
Guidance on claiming a grant through the SEISS can be found here.
Guidance on eligibility for claiming a grant through the SEISS can be found here.
Updates to places of worship guidance on singing and playing instruments
In line with updated guidance on performance, the guidance for the safe use of places of worship has been updated. Small groups of professional or non-professional singers are now able to sing in front of worshippers both outdoors and indoors. Singing in groups should be limited to a small set group of people and should not include audience participation. Wind and brass instruments can now also be played. Any instrument played during worship should be cleaned thoroughly before and after use.
Guidance for the safe use of places of worships can be found here.
A festivals checklist has also been developed to support local planning for religious festivals. The guidance includes information on how you can celebrate at home and with your family and at your place of worship safely. It can be found here.
Guidance for safely managing multi-purpose community spaces
The guidance for those managing community centres, village halls and other community facilities has been updated. As of 15 August, indoor performances to socially distanced audiences can take place, if in line with the performing arts guidance. Small wedding receptions (up to 30 people at a sit-down dinner) can now also take place. Click here to read the full guidance.
Testing people moving from the community into a care home
The guidance on how to protect care home residents and staff during the coronavirus outbreak has been updated to include a new addition on testing people moving from the community into a care home. The addition sets out a service model for testing people moving from the community into a care home along with existing local arrangements. Click here to view the full guidance.
 |
|
Stay Connected
If you enjoyed reading this update, why not check out the other updates and newsletters we offer by clicking here
|
|
