Your coronavirus update: Latest Covid-19 numbers, new commitments to you and how we're supporting our communities

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Leader of the Council Clare Coghill green background

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Update

In the last week Waltham Forest has had over 3,000 new cases and 23 Covid-19 related deaths. These are not just figures, these are real people and my heart goes out to all those people grieving at this most difficult time. I am urging all residents to think carefully about our actions over the next few weeks, as by following the restrictions we can reduce the spread.

Last week, I met with local leaders from a wide range of faiths to see if we could come together to agree to close all settings due to the seriousness of the situation. Many agreed with my view that the most important thing we can do to ensure the safety of the people of Waltham Forest is close until the spread of the virus significantly reduces. You can read the community statement put out to congregations across the borough.

This week, we have also updated our 12 commitments to ensure the right support continues to be there and that residents know what they can expect from their Council. Over the last couple of months, we have made these a priority for example providing 55,000 free face masks to residents so far, housing 130 rough sleepers and regularly checking-in on our most vulnerable residents. Along with these, we have added new commitments which include the most vital of all – doing anything we can to support our health partners get the vaccine to residents.

We all know that the vaccine is the only way out of this pandemic but it won’t have a significant impact on the spread of the virus for several months.

Please keep each other safe.

Testing available seven days a week in Waltham Forest

It's really important that whether or not you have symptoms, you get tested for Covid-19. By acting like we've got it and getting tested, we can help to stop the spread.

It's especially important to get tested regularly if you work away from your home.

Have symptoms? Go here for a test:

Open everyday 8am-8pm:

Stanley Road car park, Leyton E10 7EQ

Linford Road car park, Walthamstow E17 3LS

Don't have symptoms? Go here for a test:

Open everyday 10am-7pm:

Chingford Assembly Hall, Station Road, E4 7EN

One Hoe Street, Walthamstow E17 4SD

Jubilee Centre, Cathall Rd, Leytonstone, E11 4LA

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

Test centre information

Continuing to support our food banks

As part of our 12 commitments, we are continuing to support local food banks to ensure that they have the stocks and supplies they need to support residents facing food poverty this winter.

Here’s a picture of George and Kai delivering food supplies to our food bank partners who then work on a more local level to distribute supplies.

Our local food banks have healthy stocks of canned and other non-perishable goods, but are always very happy to receive fresh foods. If your situation allows and you wish to support a local food bank please visit our website.

Support a food bank

Leytonstone restaurant subject to enforcement

Waltham Forest Council’s enforcement team and police officers visited Leo’s Bar & Grill in Leytonstone on Friday 8 January 2021. Officers found two men sat at a table with two partially empty wine bottles, two large wine glasses and two shisha pipes with lit coals.

The current Covid-19 Regulations prohibit food and drink to be consumed on the premises and for shisha to be smoked. Police officers took the details of all present and advised the two individuals that they would each be issued with £200 Fixed Penalty Notices (FPNs). The venue itself was subject to a warning in October regarding the smoking of shisha and the Council is now considering a range of further enforcement actions against for this repeated irresponsible behaviour.

Call Metropolitan Police on 101 if you have concerns around individuals or businesses in your community following public health regulations.

Read current restrictions

Free face mask? Get yours today!

Thank you to every one of the 55,000 residents who have ordered a free face mask over the last couple of months.

You can still order your free face mask from us by calling 020 8496 3000 or by ordering online.

Wearing one is essential to protect our most vulnerable people.

Order your face mask

Restrictions are in place to keep you safe

We know how frustrating it has been to go into a new year whilst being in national lockdown, but these restrictions are in place to help keep us all safe.

It is vital that we all take responsibility to stop the spread to protect those that are most vulnerable and our NHS services too.

By bending rules you will be putting yours and other people's safety at risk.

Please remember:

Stay at home as much as you can.

Only leave home for essential reasons (work, food, medical reasons.)

It is against the law to meet socially with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble.

You can leave your home to exercise but this should be limited to once a day. If on your own, you can meet with one person from another household, but try and limit your contact with people as much as possible.

By pulling together and all taking action, we can tackle this virus.

Read full restrictions

Keeping you up to date with the latest vaccine information

We are continuing to help the NHS with the rollout of the vaccine, to protect the most vulnerable members of our community from this deadly virus.

We know that many of you are eager for you or your loved ones to be vaccinated. If you’ve been contacted by the GP to get a vaccination please attend your appointment.

For everyone else, please wait to be contacted by your GP.

NHS vaccination centres are scheduled to be open 12 hours a day, seven days a week. We’ve already started training hundreds of our Legends of the Forest volunteers to help the effort.

These volunteers will be integral to the smooth running of our vaccination centres over the coming days and weeks, so thanks to everyone who will be involved.

Learn about vaccines

Let ZED help improve your business

Has lockdown made you adapt your business, moving more online?

Then give ZED - our Zero Emission Delivery service a call.

ZED offer efficient and sustainable deliveries for local businesses and with customers 43% more likely to shop with retailers who offer sustainable delivery - it's a no brainer!

So, what can ZED offer your business?

Beat lockdown with same day deliveries
Order by 1pm for delivery that day
Cost effective and reliable
Cargo bikes cut congestion
Zero emissions delivery by friendly couriers

With nearly 60,000 deliveries made to local residents over the last three years, ZED are supporting local businesses to be more efficient and sustainable.

Talk to ZED

Council services

We are making sure we provide key services to our residents throughout this stage of lockdown.

To find out up to date service information, please visit our website.

Info on council services

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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