Your coronavirus update: Covid-19 test sites and celebrating New Year safely

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Leader of the Council Clare Coghill green background

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

I know that no one’s year has been what we had hoped or expected and we have all had to make sacrifices for the good of everyone else. I know this festive period can be a lonely one for many, especially with the restrictions that have been put on all our lives. It is important we all look after one another and there are services available if you need mental health support.

The spread of the virus continues to rise and health services are more stretched than they have been at anytime during the pandemic. Over the last week alone we have had 2559 new Covid-19 cases in our borough and tragically 10 related deaths.

With New Years Eve approaching, I appreciate how tempting it can be to meet up indoors or outdoors with friends and family, but I urge you not to. With the virus spreading in all parts of Waltham Forest, meeting up in large groups brings huge risk to you and your family. Anyone can catch this virus and some have it without showing symptoms, so please think twice before socialising with others.

By keeping going, following the rules and taking preventative measures, we can all look to a more hopeful and positive 2021.

Stay Safe Waltham Forest.

Picking up essential items? Stay safe.

As part of Tier 4 restrictions, you should be staying home and only leaving the house for essential reasons such as food, medicine or work.

If you do have to leave your home for one of these reasons, please make sure you take your face covering with you.

Unless exempt, you need to wear it in shops, on public transport and anywhere that you can't keep away from people you live with.

This will protect yourself, other people and also support the local community, so please make sure you comply.

Remember to also wash your hands regularly and stay away from people you do not live with.

Tier 4 rules

Council services over Christmas

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

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

Info on council services

Getting tested in Waltham Forest

You can still get tested every day between Christmas and New Year.

Whether or not you have symptoms, getting tested will help us stop the spread of Covid-19 across Waltham Forest.

Stanley Road car park, Leyton E10 7EQ and Linford Road car park, Walthamstow E17 3LS:

Tuesday 29, Wednesday 30 and Thursday 31 December: 8am - 8pm

Friday 1 January: 9am - 3pm

The Score Card car park, at 100 Oliver Rd, Leyton:

Friday 1 January: 9am - 3.30pm

Richmond Road car park, Chingford, E4 7BN and Church Lane car park, Leytonstone, E11 1HG:

Wednesday 30, Thursday 31 December and Friday 1 January: 9am - 3pm

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

Test centre information

Think NHS 111

Knowing the right place for medical help over the Christmas and New Year holidays can help you get the treatment you need faster.

If you think you need A&E, just contact 111 first. They can help you right away and if you need urgent care, they can book you in to be seen quickly and safely.

If you feel unwell and it is not an emergency please call your GP.

You can also find out which pharmacy is open near you over Christmas and New Year to give you the medicines and advice you need, by visiting the NHS website.

NHS 111

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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