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England moved to National Lockdown

Central Government has put all of England into a national lockdown from today, 5 January.  You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.

The National Lockdown Guidance key points are listed below.

You can also visit the Gov.uk website for more Lockdown details and you can download a print-version here.

Education

Primary schools, secondary schools and colleges across England must move to remote learning until February half term, apart from vulnerable children and children of key workers. Alternatives to summer exams will also be sought by OFQUAL. Everyone will still be able to access early year settings, including nurseries.

While schools are closed, children who receive free schools meals will still receive them.

Leaving home

You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

• shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
• go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
• exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, which should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
• meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
• seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
• attend education or childcare - for those eligible

If you do leave home for a permitted reason, you should always stay local in the village, town, or part of the city where you live. You may leave your local area for a legally permitted reason, such as for work.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, shielding now resumes. This means you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work. The government will be sending you a letter with further information about shielding.

There is also additional advice for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable to coronavirus and households with a possible or confirmed coronavirus infection. 

We must all stick to the rules and follow the guidance set out by the Government.

The law will be updated to reflect these new rules. The relevant authorities, including the police, will have powers to enforce the law - including through fines and dispersing gatherings.

Covid-19: local cases data

We have seen a dramatic rise in COVID-19 cases locally with high positivity rates in those receiving tests. West Berkshire has had 3,683 confirmed cases of COVID-19 so far. The current weekly case rate is 377.4 per 100,000 population. All residents need to play their part and follow the National Lockdown rules.

You can find the latest information about the number of coronavirus cases in West Berkshire and beyond on the Public Health for Berkshire website.

Separately, you can also view the local COVID-19 data shown by electoral ward within West Berkshire.

Covid-19 Vaccination update

As well as continuing to provide Covid-19 vaccinations to residents at care homes, NHS Berkshire West will begin vaccinating people at the Newbury Racecourse next week, prioritising 80 year olds and over in the first instance. Road signage will be installed to support access to the site.  Please wait to be contacted by your GP's surgery, who will book you in as soon as slots are available. 

Please be on the watch for vaccine scams and fake NHS forms - the NHS will never ask for people's banking information. In addition, genuine texts from the Government would only come from UK_Gov and any links would be to GOV.UK/coronavirus. 

Support for Residents

Covid Winter Grant Scheme We understand that these are very challenging times and we are here to help. If you are in financial hardship due to the pandemic you may be eligible for financial support through the COVID Winter Grant Scheme. Already, we have issued over 1,400 grants totalling more than £292,000 to help people pay for food, shopping, utility and water bills, and essential household supplies.  Apply to COVID Winter Grant Scheme We are working our way through applications as quickly as possible. Deadline to apply: 15 March 2021.

Community Support Hub Our Community Support Hub is here to people such as those clinically extremely vulnerable who need extra assistance due to the impact of coronavirus. If you need support, please contact the Community Support Hub by phone on 01635 503579, by email, or via our online form.  The Community Support Hub is open during office hours between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Thursday, or between 8.30am and 4.30pm on Friday.

Support Services Operating Hours

You can look up the latest operating hours for our services on our Coronavirus Information for Residents page (scroll down to the Support Services section). This includes Household Waste and Recycling as well as Libraries information.

Please note that our website will experience service interruptions from midnight on Friday, 8th January until midnight on Sunday, 10th January for important maintenance updates.

For any emergencies out of hours please contact: 01635 42161. Please note this number is for emergencies only. When the Council offices are closed, please do not call this number in relation to a noise issue or bin collections. These can be reported online at https://www.westberks.gov.uk/reportaproblem and will be picked up the next working day.

Mental Health Tips and Support

During these stressful times it is important to focus on our mental health.

In the Every Mind Matters campaign we suggest focusing on these top five tips to reduce stress and anxiety:

1. Talk about your worries

2. Keep a regular routine

3. Manage your media and information intake

4. Do things you enjoy

5. Look after your body

See also how to stay mentally well this winter.

Talk to someone if you are struggling

If you, or anyone you know, is struggling with mental health at this time, please reach out and talk to someone.  The people based at the following resources are keen to provide emotional support.

Samaritans Newbury - emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call 116 123

Shout: 24/7 UK text messaging service to correspond with trained volunteers and clinical specialists about anything that is worrying you. Text SHOUT to 85258, 24 hours a day

West Berkshire Suicide Prevention: If you or someone you know is struggling with poor mental health and/or have had suicidal thoughts please visit this website for a range of resources for immediate and non immediate emotional support. 

Emotional Health Academy helpline: For young people aged 11-18 years. Open Monday to Friday, mornings and afternoons. Call 01635 503 587.

Kooth:  Free online counselling and emotional wellbeing support for young people 11-18 years of age.

Talking Therapies Berkshire: For those aged 17 and over with depression and anxiety. Open 8am to 8pm Monday to Thursday, and 8am to 5pm on Fridays. Call 0300 365 0200. 

Eight Bells for Mental Health: For anyone needing help or advice, contact coordinator@eightbellsnewbury.co.uk or mobile: 07387 962 220. Open Mondays 8am-8pm and Tuesdays to Fridays 10am-5pm.

See also additional resources for support.

Financial Support for Businesses

There is significant financial support available to businesses who have been affected by Coronavirus restrictions.

Since November West Berkshire Council has distributed more than £1.26 million in grants to local businesses who have either been forced to close, or seen a significant lose in trade due to restrictions. Further funding is being issued every day to those in need.

Financial support continues to be available to businesses including:

• The Local Restrictions Support Grant which supports rate-paying businesses that have been forced to close or have been directly affected by restrictions. If you received support in November then you will automatically receive support for December 19 onwards. Businesses that have not received support or were affected by Tier 2 restrictions in early December should still apply.

• A flat rate £1000 grant to pubs who can demonstrate that 50% or more of their income derives from the sale of alcoholic beverages. To supplement this, West Berkshire Council will match this grant from its own funds.

• The Additional Restrictions Grant scheme which support businesses who have been affected by restrictions and who have not received other grant support, or require further assistance.

The Government has just announced today (5 January) a new one-off support scheme for closed businesses, and we will update our website as details of this emerge. Please see our business information page for more information and to apply for a grant.

Business support grants West Berkshire Council

Fight the Flu

It is very important that those who are eligible for the Flu jab to get vaccinated, especially with Covid-19 in circulation this winter. If you have been invited by your GP to have the FREE Flu vaccine please take it up.

If you’re not sure if you are eligible speak to your GP today or visit the NHS website.

The flu virus strikes in winter and it can be far more serious than you think, especially if you are in one of the at-risk groups. The flu vaccine not only helps protect you against flu and serious complications, but also helps protect more vulnerable family members and friends.