Tier 4 restrictions introduced in London and the south east. Relaxation for Christmas mixing scrapped.

There is a new variant of the corona-virus which increases the transmission rate. Today the Government have announced that Tier 4 restrictions come into force in London and the south-east from 12.01 on Sunday morning.

Given the early evidence on the new variant of the virus, the potential risk means Christmas can no longer go ahead as planned

Those in tier 4 areas should not mix with anyone outside their household at Christmas, though support bubbles will remain in place.

Across the rest of the country, up to three households can meet but this will be limited to Christmas Day only, rather than the five days previously set out.

There will be no relaxation on the 31 December, so people must not break the rules for new year’s.

Tier 4 restrictions are broadly equivalent to the national restrictions brought in during November.

In tier 4:

·         Residents must stay at home, apart from limited exemptions

·         Non-essential retail, indoor gyms and leisure facilities and personal care services must close

·         People must work from home if they can, unless this is not possible eg manufacturing and construction sectors

·         People should not enter or leave tier 4 areas

·         Tier 4 residents must not stay overnight away from home

·         You can only meet one person from another household in an outdoor public space

·         Communal worship can continue to take place

·         The new variant is concentrated in tier 4 areas, he says, but is nonetheless present around the country.

·         Everyone in all tiers must stay local, he says.

·         Carefully consider whether you need to travel abroad, Johnson says, and follow the rules in your tier.

·         Those in tier 4 will not be permitted to travel abroad, apart from limited exceptions such as for work purposes.

METROPOLITAN POLICE - STREATHAM NEIGHBOURHOODS NEWSLETTER FOR NOVEMBER

This week’s news

Firstly, we would like to wish a warm welcome to PC Jack Sharp, the new police officer for Streatham Hill, and PC Bola Adebakin, who will be working on Streatham Wells.

An update about the 13 year old boy who was attacked outside Dunraven School on Wednesday 25 November: he was put in an induced coma at the time but today has been awake and talking.  We send him our very best wishes and hope he makes a speedy recovery.  The suspect remains in police custody at this stage. 

A bike was stolen from the communal area on Madeira Road.  PCSO Reynolds and PC Pearl found the bike and checked the report to find out who the owner was.  It was returned to them soon afterwards.

PC Takenaka handled a neighbourhood dispute which ended up with the suspect being interviewed for a public order offence.

PC Pearl had some good information from residents regarding drug dealing in Fernwood Avenue. He conducted some patrols there and believes that he disturbed a drug dealer who was about to come and sell drugs.

Officers were called to Copley Park by Lambeth Council with regards to a vulnerable lady being targeted by a rogue trader.  The suspect is 5’ 9” tall, with white thinning hair.  He tells people that he is an antique dealer.  He could be targeting other people around that area.

Crime Advice

There has been an increase in bike crime and breaking into sheds.  Please make sure your property is secure.  Where bikes are concerned, please lock them up securely.  A “D” lock is one of the best cycle locks you can buy.  You can also invest in a shed alarm which can be fitted to make you shed secure.

Covid-19 Advice

Please ensure you follow the latest Government guidelines. Please see post below on the Tier 2 rules. This will help the NHS and other key workers stay as safe as possible so they can continue their amazing work to keep us safe.

Everyone can help to control the virus by staying alert and taking precautions to protect themselves and others.  As well as the above, please remember you should:

·              Hands:   wash your hands regularly and thoroughly with soap and water for at least 20 seconds throughout the day or use hand sanitiser if you cannot do this.

·              Face:   wear a face mask or face covering over your nose and mouth on public transport, if you are staff or a customer in shops, taxis, bars and restaurants and in any confined spaces and anywhere else where social distancing is difficult.

·              Space:   keep your distance inside and outside - stay at least two meters away from anyone outside your household or 1 metre with a face covering or other precautions.

·             Get a test:   if you are feeling unwell and have symptoms.  If you have a positive test result, isolate immediately with members of your household for 10 days.  Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.  You can visit the NHS website to book a test or alternatively call 111 for advice.

Remember that everyone can help to control the virus by staying alert, following the rules and taking precautions to protect themselves and others.

Advice from the NHS website on what to do to prevent catching and spreading the virus is as follows:

Ø    wash hands frequently with soap and water or use a sanitiser gel.

Ø    catch coughs and sneezes with disposable tissues.

Ø    throw away used tissues and then wash your hands.

Ø    if you don’t have a tissue, use your sleeve.

Ø    avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands.

Ø    avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

The most important thing is regular and thorough hand washing, preferably with soap and water. Coronavirus spreads when an infected person coughs or sneezes small droplets – packed with the virus – into the air.  These droplets can be breathed in and cause an infection if you touch a surface they have landed on then touch your eyes, nose or mouth.

Coughing and sneezing into tissues, not touching your face with unwashed hands, and avoiding close contact with infected people are important to stop the spread of the disease and to keep everyone safe.

Contact Details for the Streatham Safer Neighbourhood Teams

The contact details for the four Streatham Safer Neighbourhood Teams are below:

Team	Telephone	Email	Twitter
Streatham Wells	0750 098 2773	streathamwells.snt@met.police.uk	@MPSStreathamWells
St Leonards	0792 023 3841	stleonards.snt@met.police.uk	@MPSStLeonards
Streatham South	0792 023 3834	streathamsouth.snt@met.police.uk	@MPSStreathamSth
Streatham Hill	0792 023 3842	streathamhill.snt@met.police.uk	@MPSStreathamHill

Hands   →   Face   →   Space

Stay alert   →   Control the Virus   →   Save Lives

Stay safe everyone !

Coronavirus: What you need to know

London is in Tier 2: High alert.

https://www.london.gov.uk/coronavirus/coronavirus-what-you-need-know

These are the Tier 2 rules for London, starting Wednesday 2 December:

Meeting others remains restricted

• You must not socialise with anyone you do not live with in any indoor setting unless they are in your support bubble. This applies both at home and in any indoor public place, including places of worship, pubs and restaurants.
• You must not socialise in a group of more than six people outside (the rule of six).  This includes in gardens and public spaces like parks.
• There are some exemptions on the Tier 2 rules for meeting others.  For example, if you are gathering for work or education, for formal support groups, or for formal childcare, or to provide care for someone vulnerable.  Remember these Tier 2 rules don’t apply if you need to escape from injury or harm. Full list of exemptions.

Many businesses and venues can reopen

• All non-essential retail can open. Remember you must wear a face covering in shops unless you have an exemption.
• Gyms, leisure centres, sports facilities can open. Organised indoor sport and exercise classes can resume, but you must not socially mix with others you do not live who (or are not in your support bubble). 
• Hairdressers, barbers, and beauty services can open. 
• Restaurants and cafes can open.  Pubs and bars can also open, but only if they are operating as restaurants with table service.  All hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals. 
• All hospitality venues must stop taking orders at 10pm and close by 11pm.  Deliveries and takeaways can continue until later. 
• Cinemas, museums, theatres and other entertainment venues can open, but they must close at 11pm. 
• You can attend both indoor and outdoor events like performances and shows, and to watch spectator sport. Capacity will continue to be limited.

Read more on restrictions on businesses and venues in Tier 2 areas

Work and travel

• You should continue working from home if you can.   
• You can travel to venues or amenities which are open, but you should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible.  You should continue to walk or cycle where possible, and plan ahead to avoid busy times and routes.   
• If you travel from a Tier 2 area to a Tier 1 area you must continue to follow the London Tier 2 rules.  You should avoid travel to or overnight stays in Tier 3 areas.

Places of worship and community settings

• Communal worship can now begin again, but you still cannot meet socially with other households in these venues. 
• Public buildings like libraries and community centres can be fully open, but you still cannot meet socially with other households in these venues. 
• Weddings and funerals can take place. 15 people can attend a wedding ceremony and 30 people can attend a funeral service. 

NHS services, including GP services and dentist remain open.

1. Keep a safe distance from others.  Stay two metres apart from people you do not live with as much as possible.   
2. Wherever you cannot keep a safe distance from others wear a face covering. It is mandatory to wear a face covering on public transport and in shops. 
3. Wash your hands frequently and carry hand sanitiser when you are out. 
4. When meeting people you don’t live with do so outdoors where possible.  Make sure indoor venues have good ventilation; open windows and doors when you can to allow fresh air to circulate.  
5. If you develop COVID-19 symptoms (high fever, continuous cough, loss of taste or smell) then self-isolate immediately and request a test as soon as you can. 
6. If you are over 60 or clinically vulnerable you could be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. You should therefore be especially careful to follow the London Tier 2 rules and to minimise your contact with others. If you are clinically extremely vulnerable then the Government is advising you to work from home and to stay at home as much as possible. The Government will write to everyone who is clinically extremely vulnerable with detailed advice.

Read the full government guidance pages.

What you need to know for Christmas

This Christmas is still going to be very different to previous years. 

The Government has announced that between Wednesday 23 and Sunday 27 December you can form an exclusive “Christmas bubble”.  These can include people from a maximum of three households and they must be exclusive. If you are travelling to Northern Ireland, you may also travel on the 22 and 28 December in addition to the other days.   

When deciding how you want to spend Christmas you should remember that the more people that mix from different households, the more likely it is that you or someone else will catch or spread coronavirus. This puts yourself, your family, friends and communities at risk, undoing all of our efforts to bring down cases.   

Consider the risks carefully before agreeing to form a Christmas bubble. Especially if you are thinking about meeting up with vulnerable people or would need to travel a long distance.  You should try and keep your Christmas bubble as small as possible.  Do what is best and safest for you and your loved ones.

Lock-down information

Over the weekend, the Prime Minister announced a four-week national lockdown that came into force today, Thursday 5th November. This is to stop the rise in the spread of Covid-19, which is rising rapidly in all parts of the country including in Lambeth.

We are all advised to stay at home, except for specific exceptions. Which include:

• For education, including schools and universities

• For work, if you cannot work from home

• For exercise and recreation outdoors, with your household or on your own with one person from another household

• For medical reasons, appointments and to escape injury or harm

• To shop for food and essentials
• And to provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer

The government has decided that all non-essential shops, leisure, entertainment venues, pubs, bars, restaurants must close, though takeaway and delivery services will be available.

Single adult households can still form exclusive support bubbles with one other household, and children will still be able to move between homes if their parents are separated.

If you are clinically vulnerable, or over the age of 60, you should be especially careful to follow the rules and minimise your contacts with others. The full guidance is available at https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november.

Lambeth Council will close key council buildings such as leisure centres, though schools, educational settings and parks will remain open. 

The council will be seeking to continue its click-and-collect library services and the online library of e-books, magazines, films, and documentaries will continue to be available.

Recycling centres will remain open and household waste will be collected as normal.

Free food for kids in South London during half term

 

New rules in place as Lambeth and London move into Tier 2 - HIGH ALERT

COVID-19 numbers are rising rapidly in Lambeth and across London. Since midnight on Friday the whole of London moved to ‘Level 2’ – HIGH restrictions, which means we must all follow extra rules to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

New restrictions are in place in Lambeth and London. The key new rules that affect us all include:

·         You must not socialise with anybody other than members of your household or support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place

·         Social mixing between households is not allowed indoors, including in homes, pubs or restaurants.

·         The ‘Rule of Six’ will continue to apply outdoors, including in private gardens.

·         Restaurants, cafes and pubs can remain open but must close by 10pm, and will need to follow the ban on households mixing indoors

·         Retail, schools, public transport and universities will remain open.

You can also also read the government guidance for more detail about the new restrictions.

What Tier 2 ‘High Alert’ Means

The Government has produced this infographic, which explains the practical changes and restrictions which being in this alert status means:

The new measures are in addition to the national rules and guidance so please continue to:

1. Keep your distance
2. Wash your hands
3. Wear a face covering
4. Self-isolate if you have symptoms while you arrange a test, or if you are advised to because you have been near to someone else who has tested positive

If you are worried about the impact of the new restrictions, or about self-isolating, there is support available. Whether you have a practical concern like how you will get groceries, a mental health issue like being alone, or how it will affect your finances there is help and advice available:

https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/get-support-for-yourself-or-a-vulnerable-person

Lambeth’s Covid-19 Dashboard

Up-to-date data on the rates of Covid-19 infection in Lambeth are fully available on the council’s website here: https://www.lambeth.gov.uk/covid-19-stats

NHS Covid-19 Testing

The Department of Health and Social Care have opened and are mobilising a number of local Covid-19 testing sites in the borough which are being run by G4S.

A site in Streatham is due to open from October 24th (tbc) at:

Streatham Common Car Park, SW16 3BX. This site will be open 7 days a week from 8am-8pm.

Testing is available by appointment only for those with coronavirus symptoms and anyone with one or more of these symptoms should book a test via the national portal at www.nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119. 

The new regulations: coronavirus (covid-19)

 It can be difficult to keep up with the new government regulations about covid-19.

Below is a re-cap from the government web site which can be found at this link:

 https://www.gov.uk/government/news/coronavirus-covid-19-what-has-changed-22-september?medium=email&source=GovDelivery

It is critical that everybody observes the following key behaviours:

• HANDS - Wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds.
• FACE - Cover your face in enclosed spaces, especially where social distancing may be difficult and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
• SPACE - Stay 2 metres apart where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place.

Face Coverings

• Customers in private hire vehicles and taxis must wear face coverings (from 23 September).
• Customers in hospitality venues must wear face coverings, except when seated at a table to eat or drink. Staff in hospitality and retail will now also be required to wear face coverings (from 24 September).
• People who are already exempt from the existing face covering obligations, such as because of an underlying health condition, will continue to be exempt from these new obligations.
• Guidance stating that face coverings and visors should be worn in close contact services will now become law (from 24 September).
• Staff working on public transport and taxi drivers will continue to be advised to wear face coverings.

Working from home

To help contain the virus, office workers who can work effectively from home should do so over the winter. Extra consideration should be given to those people at higher risk.

Businesses

• Businesses selling food or drink (including cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants), social clubs, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement arcades (and other indoor leisure centres or facilities), funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls, must be closed between 10pm and 5am. This will include takeaways, but delivery services can continue after 10pm (from 24 September).
• In licensed premises, food and drink must be ordered from, and served at, a table.
• Customers must eat and drink at a table in any premises selling food and drink to consume on site (from 24 September).
• Businesses will need to display the official NHS QR code posters so that customers can ‘check-in’ at different premises using this option as an alternative to providing their contact details once the app is rolled out nationally (from 24 September).
• Businesses and organisations will face stricter rules to make their premises COVID Secure (from 28 September):
• A wider range of leisure and entertainment venues, services provided in community centres, and close contact services will be subject to the COVID-19 Secure requirements in law and fines of up to £10,000 for repeated breaches.
• Employers must not knowingly require or encourage someone who is being required to self-isolate to come to work.
• Businesses must remind people to wear face coverings where mandated.

Meeting people safely

• Support groups must be limited to a maximum of 15 people (from 24 September).
• Indoor organised sport for over 18s will no longer be exempt from the rule of six. There is an exemption for indoor organised team sports for disabled people (from 24 September).
• There will be a new exemption in those areas of local intervention where household mixing is not allowed to permit friends and family to provide informal childcare for children under 14 (from 24 September).
• Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions will be restricted to a maximum of 15 people (down from 30). Other significant standalone life events will be subject to the ‘rule of six’ limits, except funerals (from 28 September).

How long should I self-isolate?

Self-isolating means staying at home and not leaving it.

People who have symptoms of coronavirus should isolate themselves for 10 days and arrange to get tested. Symptoms include:

§  a new continuous cough

§  a high temperature

§  a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell

Other members of their household should isolate for 14 days and not leave their homes.

The Rule of Six (RoS)

When seeing friends and family you do not live with you should:

·         meet in groups of 6 or less

·         follow social distancing rules when you meet up

·         limit how many different people you see socially over a short period of time

·         meet people outdoors where practical: meeting people outdoors is safer than meeting people indoors because fresh air provides better ventilation

Limits on the number of people you can see socially have changed. When meeting friends and family you do not live with (or have formed a support bubble with) you must not meet in a group of more than 6, indoors or outdoors. This is against the law and the police will have the powers to enforce these legal limits, including to issue fines (fixed penalty notices) of £200, doubling for further breaches up to a maximum of £6,400.

There are exceptions where groups can be larger than 6 people. These include:

·         for work, or the provision of voluntary or charitable services

·         registered childcare, education or training

·         supervised activities provided for children, including wraparound care, youth groups and activities, and children’s playgroups

·         providing support to a vulnerable person

·         providing emergency assistance, and to avoid injury or illness or to escape risk of harm

·         for arrangements where children do not live in the same household as both their parents

·         fulfilling a legal obligation, such as attending court or jury service

·         elite sporting competition and training

·         wedding and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions – up to 15 people

·         funerals – up to 30 people. This does not include wakes, other than for religious ceremonial purposes

·         exercise classes, organised outdoor sport or licensed outdoor physical activity, and supervised sporting activity (indoors or outdoors) for under-18s

·         indoor organised team sports for disabled people

·         support groups of up to 15 participants – formally organised groups to provide mutual aid, therapy or any other form of support. This includes support to victims of crime, recovering addicts, new parents, people with long-term illnesses, those facing issues relating to their sexuality or gender, and those who have suffered bereavement.

·         protests – if organised in compliance with COVID-19 Secure guidance. All individuals must be socially distanced

Where a group includes someone covered by such an exception (for example, someone who is working), they are not counted as part of the gatherings limit. This means, for example, a tradesperson can go into a household of six without breaching the limit, if they are there for work.

Government has announced an initial £60 million to support additional enforcement activity by local authorities and the police.

The spread of the virus is also affecting our ability to reopen business conferences, exhibition halls and large sporting events, so we will not be able to do this from 1 October.

The government’s expectation is the measures described above will need to remain in place until March.

Act now to keep a voice for St Leonard’s ward and Streatham on Lambeth Council

The Local Government Boundaries Commission for England (LGBCE) is reviewing the number of Councillors in Lambeth and how the borough should be divided up into wards. Lambeth council have submitted a plan to the LGBCE which will reduce Streatham’s Councillors from 12 to 11 by shrinking the size of St Leonard’s ward and reducing representation from three Councillors to two. 

You can read the Labour proposal here:

https://bit.ly/3kduPPb

Ward boundaries in Lambeth were last reviewed in 1999 - that’s when our current Streatham wards were established (St Leonard’s, Streatham Hill, Streatham Wells and Streatham South).   

We believe that St. Leonard's ward should maintain its 3 Councillors to ensure we are properly represented.

Is it a coincidence that St Leonard’s happens to be home to three of the six non-Labour Councillors in Lambeth? All are Green Party representatives and have been very successful in fighting St Leonard’s and Streatham’s corner on so many issues to make Streatham a safer, cleaner, greener and fairer place to live, work and thrive. 

When it comes to holding Labour to account, following the money and standing up for their constituents, people can see what a difference such strong opposition is making. We need that to continue, as we know how hard it is to make Streatham’s voice heard in the council and we are often neglected in favour of the north of the borough - a prime example being the Lambeth Transport Strategy (2016-2036) that didn’t mention Streatham at all.

Regardless of your political persuasion, we believe that effective opposition on the council (from anywhere on the political spectrum) is essential to ensure that it functions fairly and democratically and stops complacency...

The Green Party response

Our proposal retains 3 Councillors in St. Leonard's ward

What You Can Do

Ø  To make your views known, please go to: https://consultation.lgbce.org.uk/have-your-say/21383

Ø  Please forward the link to this blog to any friends, family or groups you think may be interested.

Ø  Please follow and Retweet @GreenPartyScott - use the hashtag #savestleonards

Ø  Visit the Streatham Green party Facebook page

Ø Email streathamgreenparty@gmail.com with your reasons why St. Leonard's ward should remain intact

                        Whatever you do, please be quick!

The deadline for comments on these changes is 

Monday 21st September.

 

Councillor Scott Ainslie 17^th September 2020