England has moved into a national lockdown because Covid-19 cases are continuing to rise rapidly across the country and urgent action is being taken to save lives and protect the National Health Service. The Stay at Home requirement has been reinforced; you must stay in the local area for the few purposes for which you are permitted to go out. You should read the government advice at www.gov.uk/coronavirus to understand what you can and cannot do whilst we live under this national lockdown as there are some differences from previous arrangements.
The detailed government advice, which is to be made into law, includes requirements on when you can leave home, permitted exercise, support and care bubbles, travel, going to work, school, college and university arrangements, care home visits, and visiting places of worship.
Our website includes Shop Local information, and we have a host of other information (see the Coronavirus tab at www.norwoodforum.org) covering government advice, community support, health and wellbeing and things to do in these times.
The advice on personal measures you must take remains:
Stay at Home
You must not leave or be outside of your home or garden except in a few specified circumstances.
Get Tested
If you have Covid-19 symptoms (new cough, high temperature, loss of taste or smell) book a free test immediately (www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119) and self isolate by staying at home. If you test positive for Covid-19, you must self isolate.
Hands Face Space
You must continue to wash your hands regularly, wear a face covering, and maintain social distance.
London has moved from the second national lockdown to tier 3, to tier 4, a continuation of tier 4, a reversal of the decision to reopen schools, and now to national lockdown in a period of less than five weeks. We expect government publicity material and further advice to be provided shortly - including support for business and other financial support. The above government web page www.gov.uk/coronavirus will be updated accordingly and/or we will publish news as necessary. The government is not expected to review the lockdown until at least mid-February 2021, but this may change - especially if the spread of Coronavirus is not being brought under control.
Lambeth Council is providing free Covid-19 testing as part of local efforts to cut its transmission. Testing is available for people in the borough that may have Covid-19, but are not experiencing any symptoms. Around one in three people with Covid-19 do not have any symptoms, but they can still pass it on. The quick, free ‘lateral flow tests' are on offer now; read further and register here. The tests allow people to check if they have Covid-19, with results usually returned within an hour. An appointment must be booked in advance and walk-in requests will not be accepted.
The government advice on vaccines is also on the www.gov.uk/coronavirus web page. The BBC has published useful information on the vaccine rollout which explains the position in more depth.
