 Update on what the National Restrictions mean for West Berkshire
In line with the Government's National Restrictions, pubs, restaurants, non-essential shops, and gyms have closed from today, 5 November for four weeks until Wednesday, 2 December.
These new measures are intended to halt the spread of COVID-19, prevent the NHS being overwhelmed, and protect the population. They are also designed to ensure that schools, colleges and universities stay open and that as many people as possible continue to work.
At the end of the restrictions period, the Government intends to return to a local approach, based on the latest data.
To ensure that these measures are successful and that we have the best possible outcome by 2 December, we all need to play our part. This means living by the restrictions in place and continuing to follow the Government rules.
 Essentially, everyone must stay at home apart from for a few specific reasons such as education, work, medical reasons, and shopping for basic necessities. In addition, you must avoid meeting people you do not live with, except for specific purposes.
The new restrictions do allow businesses to offer takeaways, deliveries and click and collect so even though it's not possible to visit non-essential businesses in person, we encourage residents to support their favourite local shops, cafes and restaurants by shopping with them online or by telephone.
Read the full list of national restrictions on the government website and see a graphic summary here. The Government has also issued new guidance on supporting safe care home visits.
The NHS Covid-19 App will also keep you informed of the latest guidance from today, 5 November.
In summary, from today, Thursday, 5 November until Wednesday, 2 December the following applies:
- In general, you must not meet people socially. However, you can exercise or meet in a public, outdoor setting with people you live with, your support bubble or with one other person. You must not meet socially indoors with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble
- If you need medical attention, you are encouraged to go to hospital if you need to or contact your GP
- If you can work effectively from home, you must. Where you cannot, you should continue to travel to your workplace while following the COVID-secure guidelines
- You can still move home, though people outside your household or support bubble should not help unless absolutely necessary
These measures will be underpinned by law. Police and other authorities will have powers to give fines and break up gatherings.
Clinically extremely vulnerable people in England should not go to work and only go out for exercise and to attend health appointments. The Government will write to everybody who is clinically extremely vulnerable to set out detailed advice to follow while the new restrictions are in place.
We are sending a Covid-19 Winter Information leaflet to all residents in West Berkshire, as part of our Local Outbreak Control Plan. This leaflet should arrive in your post towards the end of November and translations into Hindi, Polish, Portuguese and Urdu will be available upon request.
In the meantime, thank you to everyone in West Berkshire once again for your support. Working together and following the rules means we can stay safe and save lives.
 We understand that these are very challenging times and we are here to help.
We are ensuring that there are sufficient resources in our Community Support Hub to help residents in financial hardship and/or who are clinically extremely vulnerable to get the support that they need. Anyone who needs help should contact the Community Support Hub on: 01635 503579, by email: westberksbct@westberks.gov.uk or via our online form. The Community Support Hub is open during office hours; call between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday, or between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Friday.
If you’re on a low income, unable to work from home and will lose income because you are required to self-isolate, you may be eligible for a £500 Test and Trace Support Payment.
The Furlough Scheme is being extended until the end of March 2021, as announced by the Government today. If you are enrolled, the Government will pay 80% of your wages for hours you do not work. To be eligible you must have been on your employer’s payroll by 30 October.
Similarly, support for millions more workers through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) will be increased, with the third grant covering November to January calculated at 80% of average trading profits, up to a maximum of £7,500. This will ensure that self-employed people whose business cannot continue, or those that have suffered reduced demand due to the outbreak, are supported over the winter.
Today, the Government has also issued a summary of economic support for jobs and businesses.
For further information on support available to residents, please visit our Coronavirus Information for Residents page.
We would also encourage any firm experiencing difficulty in paying their business rates to get in touch with us on businessrates@westberks.gov.uk and we will exercise flexibility with payments where we can. For further information on support for businesses, please visit our Coronavirus Information for Business page.
 Here is an overview of key council service operations during Thursday 5 November until Wednesday 2 December:
Culture and Libraries
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West Berkshire Libraries buildings are closed to the public. The Order & Collect service will still be available online or by phone on 01635 519813 (or ring the local library) or by email library@westberks.gov.uk. The At Home service will continue to deliver books to library members who are unable to make their own collections.
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West Berkshire Museum is closed to the public. See website for more information.
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Shaw House is closed for public visits. However, the Registration Service at Shaw House is still open for appointments. For information about the Registration Service please call 01635 279230.
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Parks: People will continue to be able to visit council-run parks, as long as they adhere to the guidelines on socialising outdoors.
Household waste and recycling
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Rubbish and recycling collections will continue as normal. Please continue to put your bins and containers out by 6am for collection. No excess waste - please make sure all rubbish is in your black bin with the lid closed.
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Recycling Centres at Newbury and Padworth will remain open. To use one of our sites please make sure you book an appointment before you visit: https://www.westberks.gov.uk/clickandtip. Please follow social distancing rules while on site.
Customer and community support
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Council Office Buildings: In the interests of safety we encourage you to continue to use our online service or contact Customer Services Switchboard for support (see below) unless it is absolutely essential that you need to visit the Council offices.
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Customer Services Switchboard is open as usual from 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday, or between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Friday. The team can be contacted by email: customerservices@westberks.gov.uk or telephone: 01635 551111. Further details.
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Community Support Hub is here to help those in financial difficulty or are clinically extremely vulnerable. The Hub can be contacted on telephone: 01635 503579, by email: westberksbct@westberks.gov.uk or via our online form. Opening hours: 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday, or between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Friday.
Additional services
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Car parks will remain open.
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Emergency and urgent housing repairs will continue for tenants living in our emergency temporary accommodation, but non-urgent repairs will cease. For any further advice or support with this please contact the Housing Service on 01635 519530 or by e-mail at TArepairs@westberks.gov.uk
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