Your coronavirus update: Test site opening hours, Tier 4 and Christmas rules, Christmas support and more

Having trouble reading this email? Click here to view in browser

Leader of the Council Clare Coghill green background

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

As the last few days before Christmas approach, I would like to extend my thanks to the residents of Waltham Forest for continuing to follow the rules, getting tested and helping protect our community. Being in Tier 4 for Christmas has been a huge shift for many of us, with plans having to be adjusted to make sure we keep each other safe.

Being in Tier 4 means that rules will not be relaxed over Christmas and we will no longer be able to create Christmas bubbles. Please make sure you are aware of the restrictions which are detailed below, to make sure you are protecting your loved ones during this holiday. Covid-19 is here for Christmas and we must make sure we take action.

In the last seven days, 4% of Waltham Forest's population has been tested - a huge achievement. This means more local residents are getting tested than the national or London average, and by doing this we are helping make sure the most vulnerable in our society are protected.

I have seen fantastic feedback across our social media channels, and know our residents have appreciated the friendly and cheery welcome they have received at our test sites. Thank you to all staff and volunteers who have been so welcoming to our residents during this challenging time.

You can still get tested this week and it's important you do so if you can. I know how worrying it can be if you have caring duties or are anxious about feeling poorly. I urge you to take action and get yourself tested. Details are below.

Stay Safe WF.

Testing available across Waltham Forest

We are proud to have tested so many residents over the last couple of weeks - thank you for taking the time to help us stop the spread of coronavirus.

Testing is still available, whether you have symptoms or not.

Open everyday between 7am - 9pm:

Stanley Road car park, Leyton E10 7EQ

Linford Road car park, Walthamstow E17 3LS

Open Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 between 9am - 3pm:

Church Lane car park, Leytonstone, E11 1HG

Open Thursday 24 between 9am - 3pm:

Richmond Road car park, Chingford, E4 7BN

You can still get tested over the Christmas period, and we have at least two sites open every day including Christmas Day.

For the full list of sites and opening days and times, please visit our website.

Test centre opening times

Taking care of your mental wellbeing

This festive period will be very different for some of our residents, and feeling more anxious or worried during this time is understandable.

We have put together some resources to help you take care of your mental wellbeing and provide support if residents are finding this period difficult.

Remember, be kind to yourselves, you are not alone and help is available.

If you or someone you know needs help with loneliness, feeling low or struggling to cope, you can get 24/7 mental health support by:

Calling Samaritans on 116 123
Texting ‘SHOUT’ to 85258

Mental health resources

40,000 face coverings and counting

Over the last couple of months, we have provided over 40,000 free face masks to residents and local businesses.

These have been given out at 40 engagement events at high-footfall locations, picked up from libraries, and also posted out to residents who ordered online or by phone.

By accepting, ordering and wearing a face covering, you are helping to protect our communities.

Thank you to every resident who is choosing to wear their covering to protect others.

If you need to leave home for essential reasons at any time, please make sure you've got your face covering with you.

And if you haven't got yours yet, you can order by calling 020 8496 3000 or online.

Order your free face mask

Council services over Christmas

We have created a dedicated webpage with information on changes to our services over the Christmas period.

The page includes information on our Customer Resolutions Centre, contacting the Council in an emergency, rough sleeping, libraries, waste collection and more.

Christmas service changes

Tier 4 and Christmas - what are the rules?

We are now in Tier 4 and will be over the Christmas period. Due to the high rates of Covid-19, in this area, we must have these restrictions in place during this time to save lives and protect the NHS.

Please remember:

You must stay at home. Please only leave the house for essential reasons: food, medical, work
No household mixing apart from support bubbles
You must not form a Christmas bubble, the rules will not be relaxed for Christmas
You can only meet with one other person outside and you cannot meet with anyone you do not live with in private gardens
You must work from home if you can and reduce your journeys as much as possible

Please make sure you read the full restrictions so you stay safe this Christmas.

Tier 4 rules

Nearly 6000 calls made to vulnerable residents this winter so far

Our ‘check-in’ call volunteers have been calling our most vulnerable residents this week to check that they’ve got everything they need to stay safe and well.

As we’ve entered a period of tighter restrictions, we've been checking that residents have food and essential items but also letting them know about befriending services that are available over the Christmas period.

A huge thanks to Jude and all our ‘check-in’ call volunteers, who’ve made thousands of calls over the past month. You can read Jude's story on Facebook.

If you feel you need support over the Christmas period, please visit the below webpage for more information.

Together, we are supporting each other through this challenging time.

Help and support

Nearly 600 businesses visited day one of tier 4 restrictions

The new tier 4 regulations on Sunday meant that some businesses were required to close, such as non-essential shops whilst other businesses had to change how they operate to reduce contact with their customers as we continue to tackle the rise in coronavirus infections.

Our enforcement team out and about on Sunday visited 580 premises, parks and public spaces.

Officers identified ten businesses who were not following the rules and were required to close. Businesses permitted to stay open must operate in a Covid-19 secure way to help stop the spread of infection.

Tier 4 regulations

Choosing local is still possible from home

It’s never been more important to choose local and support everyone – our local businesses need us now more than ever.

Many of our businesses have changed how they operate, showing amazing resilience and creativity.

You can still order online and click and collect, some are even doing deliveries to the local area. If you want to see what businesses are available, you can visit the online directory which lists them out.

Stay safe, stay local and support each other. You’re helping these local businesses survive and showing your pride in Waltham Forest. We salute you!

WF Connected

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.

Sign up for email newsletter

Choose which emails I receive

Want to stop receiving emails from Waltham Forest Council? Unsubscribe

Help