 National day of reflection to mark anniversary of lockdown
The anniversary of the UK's first Covid-19 lockdown will be marked next Tuesday, 23 March, with a minute of silence at 12pm and a doorstep vigil at 8pm, planned by Marie Curie.
The end of life charity is encouraging people to take a minute to reflect on the past year, remember those who've lost their lives, support those who've been bereaved, and hope for a brighter future after what has been an incredibly challenging year.
#TowerHamletsTogether
We will be releasing a short film on the same day, featuring partner organisations, community groups, and individuals, to say thank you for helping keep Tower Hamlets healthy, safe and supported throughout the past year. Look out for it on our website and social media channels next Tuesday.
 AstraZeneca vaccine safety
We are aware of recent reports and media coverage suggesting a link between the Covid-19 AstraZeneca vaccine and blood clots. In the UK the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) continues to recommend the use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, and today the European Medical Agency said the AstraZeneca vaccine is safe and effective.
If you’re eligible for your vaccine, first or second dose, please do not delay taking it. Vaccination continues to provide the best protection against Covid-19 for individuals, their families and the community.
 Covid-19 vaccines and Ramadan
With Ramadan approaching (12 April), we know some residents may be concerned about taking the vaccine during the fast.
Residents eligible for vaccination are being encouraged to not delay taking it up – either their first or second dose. Taking the vaccine remains the most important way to protect yourself, your family and community from the virus.
 New rapid Covid-19 test site opens
This week we opened our fifth Covid-19 rapid testing site at the Tramshed Community Centre in Bethnal Green. Appointments can be booked online, or people can use the service as a walk-in.
Anyone can get a rapid test to protect themselves and their family, but they are particularly important for key workers, anyone who cannot work from home or those living with people in these groups.
 United towards an anti-racist Tower Hamlets
Today we were proud to be a leading partner in the launch of the Tower Hamlets Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic Inequalities Commission report which is challenging the whole borough to take radical steps towards becoming anti-racist by 2025.
The Commission started its work following the killing of George Floyd, the Black Lives Matter protests and the fact that racial inequalities highlighted the disproportionately negative impact of Covid-19 on people from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds.
The active participation from local young people has also been a major part of the Commission’s work, and the launch has taken place a few days ahead of the United Nation’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination this Sunday (21 March) which has “youth standing up against racism” as its theme.
 Emergency food appeal relaunched
We are relaunching our emergency food appeal on behalf of food banks and schools in the borough. Food providers continue to see a huge rise in demand and need urgent support so they can help those who need it.
Thanks to the efforts of our residents and business partners, we were able to triple the monthly target we set in December, raising £16,000 to help provide food and essential toiletries to vulnerable residents. A huge thank you to all those who contributed.
There continues to be more need than ever for food support, so we have set a new target of raising £50,000. Please donate if you’re able so food banks in our borough can continue their vital work.
 Share your views - violence against women and girls
The government is reopening its consultation and seeking your views on how to tackle violence against women and girls. This will help to inform its tackling violence against women and girls strategy, which will be published in the summer.
The multiple choice survey takes about 15 minutes to complete and is open until 26 March.
 Community groups and council unite for first climate event
More than 70 participants, including key stakeholders, members of the community and council officers attended the first ever Tower Hamlets Climate Engagement Event, held on Wednesday 17 March 2021.
The online conference is part of our commitment to becoming a net-zero carbon council by 2025 and a net zero carbon borough by 2050 or sooner.
 Don’t forget Census Day this Sunday
Make sure you're counted this Sunday which is Census Day. Everyone living in England and Wales will need to take part in the survey that only happens once a decade.
The results are important as they influence where billions of pounds of public funding is spent on services like transport, education and health. We need to make sure that everyone in Tower Hamlets is counted and our borough gets its fair share of future public funding.
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