Dear John,

Following yesterday’s announcements find the below summary roadmap with full details available here. All dates below are subject to change based on virus transmission. There are many questions that remain, but it is good to see a roadmap and I have raised a few pressing questions below 

 🔴 March 8th:

📚 Schools and colleges will be opening 

Can meet one other person for a ‘coffee’ 

Care homes can receive one regular visitor 

🔴 No earlier than 29th March:

No legal requirement to stay at home - but many restrictions remain 

Outdoor gatherings allowed with up to 6 people  

Outdoor sport for children and adults allowed 

Asked to ‘stay local’ 

Still asked to work from home 

🔴 No earlier than 12th April:

💇Hairdressers

Non essential retail

Libraries

Museums

Theme parks 

Zoos

Outside hospitality 

Indoor gyms

Swimming

Holiday

Funerals have up to 30 attendees, weddings, receptions and wakes can have 15 

Weddings

Review on international travel completed 

Bulk of university students can return 

🔴 No earlier than 17th May:

6️⃣ People from different households inside your home (rule of 6 remain)

Indoor venues (pubs and restaurants, hotels and B&B, play centres, cinema, group exercise) all opening. Mixing limits to remain. 

Sport indoor venues have up to 1000 spectators (half capacity) 

Sport outdoor limit will be 4000 (or half capacity) 

Very large venues limit of 1/4 full

Weddings allowed with a limit of 30, christenings and barmitzvahs permitted 

🔴 No earlier than 21st June all social limits lifted 

🎵 Nightclubs open

No limits on social contact 

Larger events 

🔴 Questions remaining: 

❓ We need clarity on an extension of isolation payments to all - Labour called for the Govt to expand eligibility for the £500 self-isolation payment to anyone without occupational sick pay instead of this only being available for people on working benefits. https://www.theguardian.com/.../labour-urges-rishi-sunak...

- It’s good to see Govt has listened to Labour and will extend support for self-isolation to parents of self-isolating children, but we need to know if a £500 payment will be given to everyone that isn’t eligible to sick pay, to ensure that everyone can afford to isolate.

❓We need clarity on whether all the evidence on schools opening on March 8th will now be published. School staff should also be prioritised for vaccinations and Keir Starmer called for this again today.

❓Businesses needed more certainty. Indoor hospitality won't reopen until 17 May at the earliest - more than a month after they have to start paying business rates and more than two weeks after furlough ends. We need clarity on whether business support will be extended.

🦠 Over the past week, Harrow has seen 281 cases of coronavirus, ⬇️ down 78 cases from last week. It’s good to see the rate per 100,000 is down to 175 in Harrow today; down from close to 1,000 just a month ago. The need to stay vigilant, to wear a mask, wash hands & socially distance remains critical though, especially with the emergence of Covid variants.  The need to stay vigilant, to wear a mask 😷, wash hands 🧼 & socially distance remains critical though, especially with the emergence of Covid variants.

🧪 If you feel fine and are leaving the house on a regular basis – be sure to get a free rapid test and help stop the asymptomatic spread. Rapid test centres are opening across Harrow and have stopped hundreds of people from spreading Coronavirus so far. 1 in 3 people with Covid do not display any symptoms & mobile units across Harrow have already identified hundreds of people who did not know they were Covid positive. Book a free rapid test at the Beacon Centre, St Ann’s Shopping Centre, Harrow Arts Centre, Harrow Civic Centre, or Shree Swaminarayan Temple Stanmore, open 7 days a week.

Book a test: https://www.harrow.gov.uk/test

My thoughts continue to be with the loved ones of those who have died, and with those who have contracted the virus. Again, I can only begin to imagine the sense of fear and loss families must be feeling. 

I hope readers continue to stay safe, socially distance and regularly check in on loved ones.  Again, people are being urged to remain vigilant for any symptoms of Covid-19 If you're feeling unwell with any of the symptoms of Covid, a new continuous cough, high temperature, or a loss of or change to taste or smell, it's vital that you get tested. 

The response to Coronavirus is being directed by Government centrally working with Public Health England, the Government’s advice is available here. Government assistance specifically for businesses  is available here.  

A reminder that if you need to get in touch about the issues covered here – or anything else – please contact my office on 0207 219 4243 or e-mail me at [email protected]. Please bear with us, as we have received five times our regular casework correspondence in recent months.

Vaccination Stats 💉

Great to see Harrow is the best performing borough in London for vaccine take-up.  Our NHS staff and volunteers at London North West University Healthcare NHS Trust and across the borough continue to do a quite remarkable job for us; quietly supported by Metropolitan Police Service officers, London Fire Brigade, the Armed Forces and Harrow Council staff. 

A message from Healthwatch Harrow:

We are getting in touch to let you know that Healthwatch Harrow have just launched their latest resident survey.

The short survey is all about the impact of Covid-19 on Harrow residents’ mental health and wellbeing. So if you live in Harrow and would like to share your views (anonymously), please do complete the survey on the link below:

https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZRMDLPS

Finding Support

The renewed lockdown measures will have created anxiety and stress for many. Don't be afraid to reach out for help if you are worried about your mental health:  Samaritans: 116 123, CALM: 0800 58 58 58, Young Minds:0800 018 2138, The Mix (under 25s): 0808 808 4994, Harrow Council also encourage calling the Coronavirus Hotline: 0208 901 2698

Harrow Talking Therapies

If you're anxious, feeling low or stressed about the impact of the virus on you or loved ones, Harrow Talking Therapies Service is here to help.

Part of the NHS Improving Access to Psychological Therapy service, it supports people feeling isolated or worrying about what's going on, as well those dealing with depression, bereavement and insomnia. 

Available via phone or video call: https://talkingtherapies.cnwl.nhs.uk/harrow

Coronavirus Hotline

The council continues to operate a hotline telephone number during weekends in order to provide support to those in need of assistance in Harrow - if you are in need of support due to Covid please give the hotline a call - 0208 901 2698

Guide to Tax Debt and Mental Health​

https://www.riftrefunds.co.uk/tax-refunds/uk-tax-refund-advice/tax-debt-and-mental-health/

Some of the topics in the above guide to tax debt and mental health will be of support to constituents, in order to:

Understand the impact of debt to mental health - the different kinds of debt (e.g. tax debt) and how they can be a key source of stress, depression, and anxiety if not planned and managed properly.

Advice for dealing with debt such as setting up a Debt Management Plan or an Individual Voluntary Arrangement (IVA), qualifying for a Debt Relief Order (DRO), or even filing bankruptcy to get some protection and keep life essentials like pension savings safe from creditors.

What to do if debt problems begin affecting your mental health. This includes recognizing the symptoms and early warning signs of mental health problems associated with debt as well as advice on where to turn to for help and support.

Other useful information and resources, including debt charities and organisations that are dedicated to helping people conquer their debt problems.

Support for Domestic Abuse Victims

Anyone that is experiencing domestic abuse can now go into a Boots or an independent chemist and seek help. If they say the codeword ‘ANI’ (pronounced Annie), they’ll be taken to a private room and asked if they want to call 999 or a domestic abuse helpline. ANI stands for Action Needed Immediately.

📞National Domestic Abuse Helpline 0808 2000 247

📞Respect helpline for male victims of abuse 0808 8010327

Firm Foundation

Due to COVID - FirmFoundation have suspended drop-in facilities. If you are homeless and rough sleeping, you can call Streetlink on 0300 5000 914. Ring Harrow Council on 020 8424 1093 – you can also contact FirmFoundation through the Contact Us page on their website or call the office on 02084265515.

Fresh Horizons CND

The Fresh Horizons CND charity based in Wembley has supported accommodation available for the single homeless in Harrow during the ongoing coronavirus restrictions. If you or someone you know is in need of supported accommodation, Fresh Horizons can be contacted by telephone at 0300 321 4702 or via email at [email protected]

Support for children and young people

Harrow Council, Harrow CCG, and Young Harrow Foundation have put together a joint document signposting residents to a collection of some of the most helpful and trusted sources of information and guidance for children and young people’s wellbeing.

For young people (high school and college age), the document ‘looking after ourselves’ can be found here – covering how to stay healthy, stay connected and learn new skills during this time.

Support and online resources for the family

Harrow Council have collected a range of online resources  for all members of the family to keep entertained while libraries are closed. You will be able to find resource to help with homework, eBooks, newspapers and magazines and keeping yourself healthy and motivated.

Counselling services and mental health support

•       5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing   - A fantastic primer on stress, anxiety and depression from the NHS. Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.

·       Relate Family Mediation  - a service fully geared up to supporting families through the crisis. Tel: 0300 0032324 or email i[email protected].

·       DAWN  - provide a counselling service to the local community of Harrow and its neighbouring boroughs. Tel: 020 8427 6796 or email: [email protected]

·       Need To Talk  - offering 1 to 1 counselling supporting their clients or any client by telephone or webcam. Tel: call/ text on 07427548559 or email [email protected]

·       Ignite Trust   - During these challenging and uncertain times, Ignite Trust is working hard to ensure they continue to provide support to the boroughs most vulnerable and at-risk young people. Email [email protected].

·        Every Mind Matters - Expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental health and wellbeing.

Harrow Council

The council has a webpage covering their own response to the coronavirus pandemic, this is regularly being updated and is available here.  

Book a free test online or call 119

😷 Getting tested at a local testing centre: 🧪

Feel Fine? Get Tested

Rapid test centres are opening across Harrow and have stopped hundreds of people from spreading Coronavirus so far. 1 in 3 people with Covid do not display any symptoms & mobile units across Harrow have already identified hundreds of people who did not know they were Covid positive

Book a free rapid test at the Beacon Centre, St Ann’s Shopping Centre, Harrow Arts Centre, Harrow Civic Centre, or Shree Swaminarayan Temple Stanmore, open 7 days a week. 

Book a free test: https://www.harrow.gov.uk/test

As always, book a test if:

Book a free test  - Tests must be booked in advance. 

Can you provide support?

London's Community Kitchen

London's Community Kitchen (based at The Bridge, next to Harrow Leisure Centre) run a Free Surplus Food Market open to everyone every Friday from 3-5PM. This operation continues to serve over 10,000 people across Harrow and London. Please consider donating or getting involved in any way that you can with this incredible Harrow-wide response to the coronavirus pandemic: https://www.londonscommunitykitchen.com/home-1

If you’re ever in need of their support, the Community Kitchen want to help - they won’t ask you for any details, or anything in return, just turn up and they will provide you with food.

Volunteer:

The Community Kitchen would love any support to keep their operation running as effectively as possible. Please get in touch with Vivette Morrow: [email protected]  and once you have had a Covid test, she will help set you up as a volunteer!

Harrow Foodbank

Harrow Foodbank continues to highlight the impact of in-work poverty and the number of ways that people find themselves at a crisis point. Donations are accepted in collection bins after checkout at all major supermarkets. The Foodbank continue to emphasise the majority of its users are in work, but many are in need of emergency food provisions. If you can, please consider providing a monetary donation to the food bank, they have acquired a van and plan to make deliveries to vulnerable residents across the borough in 2021 - send an email to [email protected] or visit Harrow.foodbank.org.uk for more.

Help from me

I appreciate that whilst this outbreak of Covid-19 is currently dominating a lot of our thoughts, other concerns and problems do not disappear. However, to help reduce the spread of infection, I am asking members of the public who need to contact my office to do so by phone or email rather than in person and further, I will continue to hold surgery appointments exclusively by telephone and Zoom video conferencing. This is a temporary measure and a sensible precaution to protect vulnerable people.  Please be assured we continue to offer a full service of advice and support to members of the public who need it. 

My office can be contacted on [email protected] or by telephone on 0207 219 4243 (Monday-Friday). Please bear with us, as we have received five times our regular casework correspondence in recent months.

Stay safe,

Gareth