I’m writing to you with my latest update on the response to the
Coronavirus or COVID-19 pandemic in
Harrow. ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌


[CV Update]

Dear John,

 

Firstly, my thoughts are with those in Harrow with family or direct
links in Afghanistan. After pressure from MPs, I certainly believe it
was the right move to recall Parliament this week. The Prime Minister
must now take urgent steps to find a broad cross-party consensus on
plans to work with allies to avoid a greater humanitarian crisis and
lay out a strategy to prevent Afghanistan becoming once again a safe
haven and operational hub for international terrorism. There is
undoubtedly a real risk of a humanitarian disaster, particularly for
women and girls. There needs to be a coordinated approach from the
international community to the changing situation on the ground, and a
strategy to try to protect the gains made in the last 20 years on
human rights.  Thank you to everyone that has been in contact so
far. For anyone living in Harrow West who has family or direct links
in Afghanistan - please feel free to get in contact with me on
[email protected]. For people currently in Afghanistan,
please register with the British Embassy Kabul on +93 (0) 700 102 000
or +44 (0)1908 516666 and select the option “Consular services for
British nationals”.

[St Dominics students]

I would like to say a huge well done to those GCSE and A-Level
students in Harrow that received their results last week. You have
endured under very difficult circumstances but have pulled through
together. A huge thank you too to all the teachers, parents and school
support staff who have worked incredibly hard in the face of big
challenges to get us here. Good luck on your next steps what ever that
may be and do get in touch if there is anything you would like to
raise.

For much of the country, the “pingdemic” will come to an end this
week. The Government has confirmed changes to the current
self-isolation rules and those who are doubled jabbed and are a close
contact of a positive Covid-19 case will no longer be required to
self-isolate unless they themselves test positive. Additionally, to
ensure young people can make the most of their education, under-18s
will also be exempt from self-isolation. 

Over the past week, Harrow has seen 663 cases of coronavirus, which
is DOWN 7% FROM LAST WEEK, at the same time we have seen 61
PATIENTS admitted to hospitals in the past seven days. As Local
authorities continue to monitor the spread of the Delta and Beta
variants, it is worth recognising that two doses offer the best
protection against either variant at this time. According to our local
NHS Trust, the most ill in our hospitals are not vaccinated - 73% of
those admitted in June/July were not fully vaccinated. 61% had no
vaccination at all. So I continue to  urge everyone that has not yet
done so to book their vaccine here
[[link removed]]
 – not only to keep yourselves safe but to reduce the spread, save
lives and reduce the pressure on our NHS. Vaccines are now being
offered to all those who are 16 and older.  While I and well over
half of Harrow have now been fully vaccinated, we still need people to
get their doses when they are called.

Book your vaccine today
[[link removed]]

Harrow still remains one of the best performing boroughs in London for
vaccinations, with OVER 70% of eligible Harrow residents having had
at least one dose and OVER 60% fully vaccinated. Again, we owe a
huge thank you to everyone that has brought us to this level and
continue to make this happen -  all of our NHS staff at London
Northwest Healthcare Trust, community pharmacies, local volunteers at
Byron Hall, Tithe Farm, Grims Dyke who have been quietly supported
by Metropolitan Police Service officers, London Fire Brigade, the
Armed Forces, Harrow Council staff & numerous others. 

I hope readers continue to stay safe and regularly check in on loved
ones.  As always, 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. If you feel
fine and are leaving the house on a regular basis – please do get a
free rapid test and help stop the asymptomatic spread
via [link removed]
[[link removed]]

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

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.

✈️ GREEN, AMBER AND RED LISTS FOR TRAVELLING ABROAD  ✈️

In May, the Government announced GREEN, AMBER AND RED lists for
travelling abroad. Red list countries are not permitted for travel for
the purpose of leisure, while fully vaccinated people are now allowed
to travel to green and amber list countries without having to
quarantine upon their return. Last Month, the Transport Secretary
announced green “WATCH LISTS” to be updated every three weeks,
with countries on the list kept under review, responding “to
emerging evidence, with a particular focus on variants of concern”.

 

The Government state they will update and potentially amend the
list EVERY THREE WEEKS to avoid excess disruption, but a decision
can be made immediately, as seen in cases like France. 

 

You can sign up to an email alert to be notified when this list
changes here.
[[link removed]]

 

THE CURRENT GREEN LIST COUNTRIES:

Arrivals from green list countries need to take a pre-departure test
as well as a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test on or before day two
of their arrival back into the UK.

However, they do not need to quarantine on return (unless they receive
a positive result) or take any additional tests.

The countries that are currently on the green list are as follows:

1. MADEIRA

2. MALTA

3. BULGARIA

4. ANGUILLA

5. ANTIGUA AND BARBUDA

6. BARBADOS

7. BERMUDA

8. TAIWAN

9. CAYMAN ISLANDS

10. DOMINICA

11. GRENADA

12. TURKS AND CAICOS

13. BRITISH ANTARTIC TERRITORY

14. BRITISH INDIAN OCEAN TERRITORY

15. MONTSERRAT

16. PITCAIRN ISLANDS

17. ISRAEL AND JERUSALEM

18. SINGAPORE

19. AUSTRALIA

20. NEW ZEALAND

21. BRUNEI

22. ICELAND

23. GIBRALTAR

24. FALKLAND ISLANDS

25. FAROE ISLANDS

26. SOUTH GEORGIA AND THE SOUTH SANDWICH ISLANDS

27. ST HELENA, TRISTAN DE CUNHA, ASCENSION ISLAND

28. HONG KONG

29. CROATIA

30. AUSTRIA (ADDED TO GREEN LIST FROM 04:00 BST SUNDAY 8 AUGUST)

31. GERMANY (ADDED TO GREEN LIST FROM 04:00 BST SUNDAY 8 AUGUST)

32. SLOVENIA (ADDED TO GREEN LIST FROM 04:00 BST SUNDAY 8 AUGUST)

33. SLOVAKIA (ADDED TO GREEN LIST FROM 04:00 BST SUNDAY 8 AUGUST)

34. LATVIA (ADDED TO GREEN LIST FROM 04:00 BST SUNDAY 8 AUGUST)

35. ROMANIA (ADDED TO GREEN LIST FROM 04:00 BST SUNDAY 8 AUGUST)

36. NORWAY (ADDED TO GREEN LIST FROM 04:00 BST SUNDAY 8 AUGUST)

 

The most recent travel review was on the 4TH AUGUST and another will
be expected later this month.

Full details on the lists and rules can be found here: 

 

[link removed]
[[link removed]]


VACCINATION UPDATE

[Vaccinations]

This month 16 AND 17 YEAR OLDS in Harrow will begin to receive text
messages offering a first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. These
vaccinations are intended to provide a vital two weeks of immunity
against the virus before young people return to school in September.
16-17 YEAR OLDS will be able to walk-in to the BYRON HALL NHS Covid
Vaccination Centre just next to Harrow Leisure Centre, Christchurch
Avenue, Harrow HA3 5BD.

 

All those aged 18 AND OLDER, continue to be invited to receive the
vaccine. If you live in Harrow or the surrounding area and you have
not yet had your Covid-19 vaccine, you can now book into Byron Hall
here:  [link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

When you attend for your vaccine please bring some ID with you and
your NHS number if you have it.

 

The vaccine is currently being given to

 

* people aged 16 and over
* people at high risk from COVID-19 (clinically extremely vulnerable)

* people who live or work in care homes
* health and social care workers
* people with a condition that puts them at higher risk (clinically
vulnerable)
* people with a learning disability
* people who are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19
* Find out more about who can get a COVID-19 vaccine
 

- Visit the nhs.uk website for more info and guidance on how to
book: [link removed]
[[link removed]]

HARROW LITTERPICKING HEROES - ARE YOU AN ACTIVE LITTER-PICKER, OR PART
OF A GROUP OF LITTER-PICKERS?

[South Harrow Litter-pickers with Campaign Summer School]

I am delighted to share that the indefatigable group of South Harrow
Litter Pickers have been nominated for a Harrow Heroes Group Award.
Over the past month, South Harrow Litter Pickers collected 215 bags of
litter, accruing 205 volunteer hours (That’s roughly 29 working
days!) and reported 49 flytips. This is an incredible contribution and
is making a huge difference in South Harrow. 

 

Across Harrow, dedicated litter picking groups are being set up for
roads and local areas. Comprised of friends, neighbours, parkgoers and
more, these groups really care about our community and really want to
Keep Harrow Clean. If you are a frequent litter-picker, please get in
touch. I would love to highlight the work you do, to help clean up our
community and hopefully encourage more people to join you. 

 

There is a Facebook Group that Harrow litter-pickers can join
here: [link removed]
[[link removed]]

CAMPAIGN SUMMER SCHOOL 

[Campaign Summer School]

Every year, I have great demand for work experience in my office and
the pandemic has unfortunately placed that on hold. I am also aware
that young people have not been able to access as many opportunities
due to the virus. So, last month, I wanted to offer up some first-hand
insight into the world of political campaigning for young people in
Harrow – bringing in local and national campaigners, and influential
voices from Harrow to Westminster. 

 

We started the week at ‘Made in Harrow’ – together collecting
hundreds of signatures for my campaign to extend parking relief to NHS
workers. Students heard from a number of Harrow-based campaigners,
first working with ‘London’s Community Kitchen’ in their
campaign mission for ‘Zero Waste and Zero Hunger’, following the
success of their first Made in Harrow event. Later in the week,
students joined South Harrow Litter-Pickers with workers from
Shaftesbury Circle McDonald’s to support their efforts to ‘Keep
Harrow Clean’.  

 

[Campaign Summer School in West Harrow]

Closing the campaign school in City Hall, students met with newly
elected Brent and Harrow London Assembly Member, Krupesh Hirani.
Students were able to hear about Krupesh’s campaigns in youth and
disability charities. Early in his career, Krupesh worked to change
the public perception of young people in the media, challenging
newspaper editors to share just as many positive stories about young
people as negative stories. During the week Gareth also returned to
his roots, taking students to the Harrow Civic Centre, for a tour from
council leader Graham Henson, as well as holding discussions with the
Mayor Ghazanfar Ali and Cabinet Member for Community Cohesion, Cllr
Peymana Assad. Students also spoke with former Harrow Independent
Councillor, Georgia Weston on her successful campaign to save Pinner
Farm. 

 

While on a national level, students spoke to Eden Kulig of Voluntary
Service Overseas, who quizzed Gareth on his years as a Minister in the
Department for International Development and shared the work that VSO
are doing to bring Medical, Teaching, Agricultural skill training to
countries in need. Students also spoke with Harrow local, Fatima
Ibrahim, the co-executive Director of Green New Deal UK, who shared
their efforts to bring about “system change not climate change”
and build support across the country for a Green New Deal. 

 

[Campaign School in City Hall]

HARROW COUNCIL

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

BOOK A FREE TEST ONLINE
[[link removed]] OR
CALL 119

[Harrow Council]

FEEL FINE? GET TESTED

A reminder to get a regular test in a rapid test centre - about 1 in 3
people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms but can still infect
others. The NHS advice is to do a rapid test twice a week (every 3
to 4 days) to check if you have the virus. If people test positive and
self-isolate, it helps stop the virus spreading. Even if you’re
vaccinated, there’s still a chance you can pass COVID-19 on, so you
should keep getting tested regularly.  [🦠] 

You can test at sites across Harrow, including at many pharmacies
[[link removed]], open 7 days a week. 

BOOK A FREE TEST: [link removed]
[[link removed]]

[Get a test]

AS ALWAYS, BOOK A TEST IF:

• You have coronavirus symptoms: 🤒 fever and/or new and
continuous cough and/or loss of or change to sense of taste or smell

• You are an ‘essential worker’ who is not having symptoms

• You have been asked by NHS Test & Trace or Harrow Council to have
a test

 

FINDING SUPPORT

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: [link removed]
[[link removed]]

 

Please don’t be afraid to reach out by phone 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

 

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​

[link removed]
[[link removed]]

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
[[link removed]] 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
[[link removed]] – 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
[[link removed]]
 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
[[link removed]]
  - 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 
[[link removed]] - a
service fully geared up to supporting families through the crisis.
Tel: 0300 0032324 or email [email protected].

·       DAWN [[link removed]]  - 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 [[link removed]]  - 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 
[[link removed]]  - 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].

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

CAN YOU PROVIDE SUPPORT?

LONDON'S COMMUNITY KITCHEN

[LCK]

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 thousands of
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:
[link removed]
[[link removed]]

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
[/Harrow.foodbank.org.uk ]  [/Harrow.foodbank.org.uk ]for more.

HELP FROM ME

[Zoom surgeries]

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

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Sent by email from the Labour Party, promoted by Keith Ferry on behalf
of Gareth Thomas, both at 132-134 Blenheim Road, Harrow, HA2 7AA
Website: www.labour.org.uk to join or renew call 0345 092 2299.

                                             
             

The Labour Party, 105 Victoria St Westminster, London, SW1E 6QT, United Kingdom
[link removed]