Coronavirus update

This update includes important information on:

• Local covid-19 test centres to be piloted in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire
• Guidance on gatherings
• Guidance for schools on testing
• Faith leaders videos
• Every Mind Matters campaign
• Facebook Live

Local covid-19 test centres to be piloted in Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire

Three new coronavirus pilot test centres are to open – with the first in Stoke-on-Trent - from Monday 14 September.

The pilot, which will be housed at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, has been put in place to respond to a continued increase in demand for coronavirus testing across the city. It also follows an appeal by Cllr Abi Brown, the Leader of Stoke-on-Trent City Council to the Right Honourable Matt Hancock MP and Secretary of State for Health after a number of residents had been in touch about their inability to get a test locally.

The centre will be open on Monday and Tuesday between 9am and 2.30pm - booking is by appointment only 48 hours in advance and will go live from 9.30am tomorrow. 100 tests only are available for each day so residents should not turn up without an appointment or they will be turned away. The pilot will then move to Burton on Wednesday and Thursday and to Stafford on Friday. If successful, more tests will be made available across both the city and county.

Appointments are only available for Stoke-on-Trent and Staffordshire residents who are showing symptoms of coronavirus. Those who do get an appointment should follow covid guidelines when they visit including following social distancing advice, wearing a face covering and using hand sanitiser. Attendees are also being asked to bring proof of residency in Stoke-on-Trent or Staffordshire when they are being tested. This can include a photo DL, bank statement within a month, most recent council tax statement and a utility bill dated within 3 months and can be in hard copy or via a mobile device.

The centre will remain open to leisure centre users and there will be an alternative entrance for those who are due to be tested and a strict one-way system in place to ensure the building remains covid-secure.

Before trying to book at the pilot, people should first try to get a testing appointment through the national system. Bookings can be made via www.nhs.uk/coronavirus, or ringing 119, where help is available in other languages.

If not successful, booking for the local pilots is possible by booking 48 hours in advance if you are showing coronavirus symptoms. People can book from Saturday morning at 9.30am on stoke.gov.uk for Fenton Manor bookings and on staffordshire.gov.uk for Burton and Stafford bookings.

Booking information for residents making an appointment at Fenton Manor Sports Complex, City Rd, Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent ST4 2RR

• Please do not turn up if you do not have an appointment. Please try to book via the national booking system first.
• For Fenton Manor, closer parking has been arranged nearer to the testing room for those with appointments, so unless directed, please do not park on the main leisure centre car park. 
• The testing room cannot be accessed through the main leisure centre entrance.  Follow the signs and any marshal instructions. 
• Disabled access is available for those unable to climb steps. 
• Attend on your own, unless you need personal assistance or cannot arrange childcare.
• Wear a face covering throughout your visit (except as directed by medical staff) and stay 2m distance from any staff or other members of the public
• On arrival, go to the testing room directly and return home as soon as your test is complete
• Be ready to verify your identity and booking reference.

Pilot details

• Monday – Fenton Manor
• Tuesday – Fenton Manor
• Wednesday – Red Lion Community Centre, Rolleston Rd, Burton-on-Trent DE13 0JT
• Thursday – St Chads, Hunter St, Burton-on-Trent DE14 2SS
• Friday – Kingston Centre, Fairway, Stafford ST16 3TW

Guidance on gatherings

The government has announced new measures to suppress the virus and keep the number of infections down.

From Monday 14 September, you must not meet with people from other households socially in groups of more than 6. This will apply indoors and outdoors, including in private homes. This change will simplify and clarify the rules on social gatherings, so they are easier to understand and easier for the police to enforce. There will be a limited number of exemptions. COVID-19 Secure venues, such as places of worship, restaurants and hospitality venues, can still host larger numbers in total but groups of up to 6 must not mix or form larger groups. This rule will not apply to individual households or support bubbles of more than 6 who will still be able to gather together. Education and work settings are unaffected, and organised team sports will still be able to proceed, as will weddings and funerals up to 30. From Monday, this limit will be enforceable in law.

The government will be supporting Local Authorities and police forces to respond to breaches of COVID-19 Secure guidelines.  COVID-19 Secure Marshals will be introduced to help local authorities support social distancing in towns and city centres.

Further guidance on social contact can be found here.

Funerals

Following this government update, the number of mourners attending funerals will remain at 30.

All mourners unless exempt, will need to continue to wear a face covering an outside of the chapel at Carmountside Crematorium, mourners meeting in groups larger than 6 will contravene the new guidance.

Social distancing guidelines of 2 metres remain in place as does instructions to those who are experiencing symptoms of covid19 or in shielded groups. It will still not be possible to allow the singing of hymns or songs in the chapel due to the risk of expelling aerosols through singing (hymns and songs are played through the chapel’s sound system where mourners can listen during the services).

For more information visit our website here.

Registration Services

Please be reminded for all appointments call 01782 235260. Admittance to the Registration Service at Hanley Town Hall is by appointment only, the walk in service remains closed.

Death registrations continue to be registered via telephone. Please call for an appointment, the Registrar will then call you at the appointed time to complete the registration.

Birth Registrations can now be completed face to face at Hanley Town Hall, please call for an appointment. It is not necessary to bring the baby along to the appointment and where possible other children should also not attend. If parents are married only one parent can attend the appointment. If parents are unmarried both parents are required by law to attend. 

Notice of marriage and civil partnership appointments are now available please complete our online enquiry form and a registrar will contact you.

Marriage and Civil partnership ceremonies remain the same with a maximum of 30 people currently allowed in a covid secure space. This is subject to the size of the room the ceremony is due to take place in, 2 meters social distancing must be maintained throughout. If you have a ceremony booked or wish to book a ceremony please call us to discuss your options.

Citizenship ceremonies have now recommenced.

All activities are subject to the latest government advice on social distancing which remains under constant review. For more information visit our website here.

Guidance for schools on testing

Schools have been issued with guidance on testing and the advice for parents and teachers. You can find this here. Schools should not advise pupils or teachers to take a test unless they exhibit one or more of the listed symptoms - a high temperature, a new, continuous cough and a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Most people with coronavirus have at least 1 of these symptoms.

If there is a confirmed case then schools should not advise entire classes or year groups to get tested. Only those with symptoms or those advised by their clinician or Local Authority should get a test. Schools must not require students to provide evidence of a negative test before letting them back to school.

Faith leaders videos

Faith leader Imam Naeem Tariq has presented several videos communicating general coronavirus advice in both English and Urdu. The following videos are available to watch:

Imam Naeem Tariq with advice on NHS Test and Trace (English)

Imam Naeem Tariq with advice on wearing face coverings (Urdu)

Imam Naeem Tariq with advice on socially distancing (Urdu)

Please share these videos with anyone you think may find them useful.

Every Mind Matters campaign - children and young people

The coronavirus outbreak has affected everybody in one way or another, and that includes children and young people. Every Mind Matters has tips and advice to help you look after the mental wellbeing of the children and young people in your life. There are resources available for parents and care givers and self-care videos for young people. 

For more information and to download resources, please click here.

Facebook Live

Due to technical difficulties our latest Facebook Live session that was due be broadcasted this morning from Staffordshire and Cheshire Equine Assisted Psychotherapy (Friday, September 11) did not go ahead.

However council leader, Abi Brown still discussed the Community Investment Fund with a previously successful applicant and talked about how the scheme is set to launch again on Monday, September 21 for groups to apply for funding, in a video that has now been posted on our Facebook page.

You can watch video on our main Facebook page here: https://www.facebook.com/sotcitycouncil/

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