 Service updates due to red weather warning
The Met Office has a red weather warning in place across the south from 10am to 3pm today (Friday 18 Feb) due to extremely strong winds. High winds are expected to continue throughout the weekend.
The Covid-19 vaccine centre due to open today at Wokingham Library will not open due to the storm. All local lateral flow and PCR testing centres are also closed today.
To protect our residents and staff, our libraries, community centres, leisure centres, children centres and Wokingham Youth Centre are also all closed today.
We are asking residents to avoid parks and woodlands. The cafes at Dinton and California Country Parks will be closed.
Schools will be contacting parents directly on school closures.
Rubbish collections are continuing, but please take in your green recycling bags and food waste containers as soon after collection as possible.
Please stay safe. We will post any further updates on our Facebook and Twitter pages.
 Weekly Covid-19 statistics
The weekly case rate in the borough per 100,000 people is 792.2 (up to 12 Feb). Going forward, we will move away from reporting on the weekly case rate, as the figures are being exacerbated by a large drop in testing numbers.
We expect this to change further next week following Central Government’s planned announcement on ‘Living with Covid’. We will include further information on that in next week's update.
To continue tracking infection rates and other Covid-19 news and insights in the borough, visit the Berkshire Public Health website.
 New Covid-19 vaccine site at Wokingham Library
We’re excited to announce that a new walk-in Covid-19 vaccination centre is opening at the Wokingham Library, to help make access to the vaccine easier for residents.
It was due to open today, but is unable to because of the storm. We are hoping it will open tomorrow (Saturday 19 February) - please keep an eye on our Facebook and Twitter pages for updates.
Here’s what you need to know about this new vaccine centre:
- The site will open from 2pm to 7pm on Fridays and 11am to 4.45pm on Saturdays and Sundays, with nearby parking at Denmark Street Car Park and across the town
- First, second, and booster doses of the Pfizer vaccine are available to all eligible people over the age of 12, including pregnant women
- People can be vaccinated regardless of whether they have proof of address, a GP or NHS number, or indefinite leave to remain in the UK – simply turn up with no appointment necessary
A review of the site will take place after six weeks, so we’re encouraging residents to make good use of the facility. The best way to tackle Covid-19 is increased vaccination and research by the UK Health Security Agency has found that people who are vaccinated are less likely to develop long Covid even if they catch the virus.
If you tested positive in December and were unable to get your booster, it’s now time to come forward for it (28 days from when you tested positive). Parents, carers, and guardians are also encouraged to bring children and young people over the age of 12 to this new site over half term if they have decided to have them vaccinated.
 Covid-19 business grants available
To help support businesses that continue to be impacted by Covid-19 restrictions and the spread of the Omicron variant, we have been awarded an additional amount of funding to distribute to businesses in two different grants. These are:
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Additional Restrictions Grant – a one-off discretionary payment of £1,000, made by Thursday 31 March 2022. The money is being given on a first-come-first-served basis
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Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant – one-off grants of £2,677, £4,000 or £6,000 depending on the rateable value of trading premises - applications must be made by 18 March
You will need to submit evidence to demonstrate loss of demand and income and provide other information – please see the full details and information on how to apply on our website.
Please note, we aim to process applications within ten working days. If your application is approved, your grant payment will be paid into your account within a further five working days. If you have any questions, please email NNDRGrants@wokingham.gov.uk.
 Get news on new facilities for our area
Want to know more on new leisure centres, schools, parks, roads, and other community facilities?
Next week we publish our monthly Infrastructure News email update, covering all the progress on the latest new facilities for the area.
It’s one of more than a dozen different newsletters we send to thousands of residents each month on the topics which matter most to them. Sign up using the button below.
 Have a wonderful half-term
We would like to thank all parents and guardians for supporting our schools over this past term. Our work together as a community helps everyone to stay safe and well – it is our hope that you have a well-deserved break.
As we look to the second half of the winter term, let’s continue to keep up this good work – while things will be changing around Covid rules and requirements they haven’t all changed just yet. Have a read of our latest leaflet, which covers:
- Tips if you’re travelling abroad this half term
- Other guidance on staying safe when out and about
- Information on the Covid-19 vaccine and our new site at Wokingham Library (see article above)
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