Your coronavirus update: New alert level system, new test site open and accessible materials

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Leader of the Council Clare Coghill green background

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

From tomorrow (Wednesday 14 October) a new three-tier alert level system for coronavirus will be introduced, making sure each area across the UK has the appropriate level of restrictions based on their rate of infection. There will be medium, high and very high alert levels.

Here in Waltham Forest, we are currently in the medium alert level (tier one), meaning that current measures still apply and restrictions have not changed for us at the moment. Whilst this means there are no practical changes for London at the moment, this could change at any time.

We've had 251 new positive cases this week, so cases are still rising across London. It's important to understand each alert level and what restrictions may come into place for us in the future. You can read about each alert level on the government website.

We will continue to work hard to support residents and local businesses to tackle this virus. During the past month council enforcement officers have visited 794 businesses to make sure licensing, social distancing and other measures are being followed by our local economy and customers.

Please join me in protecting our borough, by taking preventative measures. By doing this, we can keep ourselves, our loved ones and our most vulnerable members of our community safe.

Third test sites opens

We want to make sure it's as easy as possible for our residents to get tested, if they experience coronavirus symptoms.

This week, we have opened a third test site in Waltham Forest, located at Linford Road Car Park in Walthamstow, which brings further capacity, allowing more residents to get tested.

Please remember, you must only order a test if you are experience coronavirus symptoms.

By ordering a test when you're not experiencing symptoms, it means you could be taking a test away from someone who really needs it.

To order a test, please call 119 or visit the government website.

Find out about our test sites

Accessible guidance is available

Here in Waltham Forest, we want to make sure every resident can access and understand coronavirus guidelines.

We are actively engaging with different residents and community groups to make sure we are providing the right information when communicating and engaging with our residents.

Whether this be translations into our top 10 languages, or easy read guidance for those residents who have a learning difficulty, we want to make sure we do this right.

We have created an accessible web page where you can find and download useful coronavirus guidance, including British Sign Language videos, easy read and translated materials. We will be continuing to update this webpage regularly.

Download accessible info

Hear from Cllr Naheed Asghar

Recently, we spoke to Cllr Naheed Asghar, Portfolio Lead Member for Health Partnerships and Poverty Reduction, about the importance of following coronavirus guidelines.

Cllr Asghar speaks about what preventative measures are, how we can get tested if we experience coronavirus symptoms and how we can all protect ourselves and each other.

Watch the video

Have you downloaded the app yet?

The NHS Covid-19 app is now available for you to download, making it really easy to protect yourself, your friends and family and others you come into contact with.

The app will help you to:

Know if you have been exposed to coronavirus
Receive updates about the risk in your local area
Easily check into venues using the QR scanner
Check your symptoms and book your test

By downloading the app, you can protect your loved ones efficiently.

Download the NHS app

Council Services

Our staff are continuing to work hard to deliver services to our residents, adapting these to make them safe where required.

Find out more

Information and advice regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing quickly and its important you keep up to date with those changes. The Council will be using email newsletters to keep residents and businesses up to date.

If residents have questions please visit our website, and use live chat to talk to one of our team, it's quicker than phoning.

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