New phoneline to help vulnerable residents & more local advice

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Council launches new phoneline to support vulnerable residents 

We have set up a new phoneline to support residents that have been identified as being extremely vulnerable and at the highest risk of severe illness from COVID-19 caused by coronavirus. 

This number is for Tower Hamlets residents, their families or their carers to let the council know if they have any urgent requirements.

The line can also be used to discuss any concerns around social isolation and help people may need with food supplies, access to medication or worries about debt, for example.

The council is in the process of contacting all Tower Hamlets residents that have been identified through the NHS as being at highest risk of severe illness from coronavirus, to support them with the care needs and health and wellbeing.

Find out more > 


Shielding our vulnerable residents 

Certain groups of people with existing illness and underlying health conditions are considered extremely vulnerable and at risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

You may be considered extremely vulnerable if you:

  • have had an organ transplant
  • are having certain types of cancer treatment
  • have blood or bone marrow cancer, such as leukaemia
  • have a severe lung condition, such as cystic fibrosis or severe asthma
  • have a condition that makes you much more likely to get infections
  • are taking medicine that weakens your immune system
  • are pregnant and have a serious heart condition

If you're at high risk, you will be contacted by the NHS by Sunday 29 March 2020. Do not contact your GP or healthcare team at this stage – wait to be contacted. If you haven't received a letter by this date, you can discuss any concerns with your GP or a hospital clinician.

How to protect yourself if you're extremely vulnerable:

There are extra things you should do to avoid catching it. These include:

  • not leaving your home – you should not go out to do shopping, pick up medicine or exercise.
  • stay at least two metres (three steps) away from other people in your home – as much as possible.

Ask friends, family or neighbours to pick up shopping and medicines for you. They should leave them outside your door. In general, you should be avoiding any face to face contact with others. 

If you are at high risk, you should take these extra steps for the next 12 weeks.

If you need help getting deliveries of essential supplies like food, you can register to get coronavirus support. The council is also helping to coordinate support for residents who are extremely vulnerable.

People at the highest risk of severe illness from coronavirus and extremely vulnerable residents can call the council on our new phoneline: 020 7364 3030. This number is for Tower Hamlets residents, their families or their carers to let the council know if they have any urgent requirements.

More advice >


Clap for carers

Hurrah! Tower Hamlets joins national cheer for carers 

It was so great to see and hear so many of you clapping at 8pm last night to show your appreciation for carers, the NHS and everyone working so hard to defeat coronavirus.

Videos have been appearing widely on social media showing the Tower Hamlets community clapping and cheering from windows, front doors, balconies and gardens. It was fantastic to be a part of this national round of applause to express gratitude to those on the front line - and your efforts even resulted in #EastLondon trending across Twitter for putting on such a great local show of support! 

Check out the council's show of support and other local videos using this link.


Use canals safely

Local updates and advice

Reminder about our Register Office

Please be aware that as a result of current circumstances, our Register Office is currently only able to accept death registrations. We are also now running as an appointment only service.

If you need to book an appointment, please email register.office@towerhamlets.gov.uk  and we will reply as soon as we're able to. 

We are expecting new legislation to come in soon in relation to the services of our Register Office, and will provide more information as soon as it is available. Please continue to check our website for any updates or changes to the service.


Update on canals and social distancing 

The Canal & River Trust canals and rivers remain open, but please note use of these areas should now be limited to help keep people safe.

If its waterways are local to you, and you use the towpath for your daily exercise or journey to undertake essential work, you are now urged to please avoid any stretches with boats moored against the towpath, and of course, strictly observe social distancing at all times. This means keeping two metres away from others.

You can find the latest information on the Canal & River Trust's website page as the situation evolves. As always, please stay safe as we all work together to look after one another at this unprecedented time.


All Points East

As a result of the current circumstances, event organisers have announced that All Points East 2020 will be cancelled. The much loved festival was due to take place in Victoria Park in May.

You can find out more about this on the All Points East website.


Watch out for scams

Please watch out for scams 

A reminder that government, police, the National Crime Agency (NCA) and others are urging the public to be aware that criminals are using coronavirus to scam people.

Some websites, emails or phone numbers can look like they’re part of an official government service - but they can be fake. If you're unsure, please do not respond.

Scams so far have included criminals using government branding to try to trick people, including impersonating HMRC to make false offers of financial support or fraudulently asking for bank details in order to support parents with free school meals. 

  • Do not give out private information (such as bank details or passwords), reply to text messages, download attachments or click on any links in emails if you’re not sure they’re genuine.

Read more advice >


Groceries at door

How to help others while looking after your safety

Many people are coming together to play their part and help provide essential support to friends, family and vulnerable individuals during the coronavirus pandemic.

This is really heartening to see happening in Tower Hamlets, but it's vital that anyone lending a hand does so safely.

Please read the updated government guidance on how you can help and importantly, how you can do this safely.


Self employed

Support for self-employed workers

The government has published details on how to claim a grant through the coronavirus (COVID-19) Self-employment Income Support Scheme.

You can use this scheme if you're self-employed or a member of a partnership and have lost income due to coronavirus.

This scheme will allow you to claim a taxable grant worth 80 per cent of your trading profits up to a maximum of £2,500 per month for the next three months. This may be extended if needed.

Find out more > 


Coronavirus: useful links


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