1. HARINGEY & LONDON RESPONSE UPDATE
1.1 Update on COVID-19 "spike" in Haringey
In response to recent news reports of a “spike” of COVID-19 cases in Haringey, please see the message below from Dr Will Maimaris, Director of Public Health at Haringey Council, which should reassure residents of the current situation of COVID-19 cases in the borough. “We have no community outbreaks of COVID-19 in Haringey. The overall number of cases is very low (around 1 new case a day on average), so overall risk of being exposed to COVID-19 in Haringey is still low and much lower than other parts of the country. “There is always some fluctuation in case numbers from week to week, but this is from a very low base and within the realms of what we would expect. We will continue to monitor the situation. “While it is reassuring that that the number of new cases of COVID-19 continues to be low in Haringey, we must ensure we work together to keep it this way, by following public health guidance and acting with care and caution as we support our local businesses and schools to continue to open up. “Today we published our draft local COVID-19 outbreak management plan for Haringey. This plan outlines how Haringey Council will work with other agencies and other parts of the public health system to prevent and manage local outbreaks of COVID-19.”
Haringey Council have said: "It is vital that statistics are taken in context, and we are concerned by news reports which seem to be designed to scaremonger."
1.2 Haringey’s Outbreak Management Plan
On Monday the council published a new draft local COVID-19 Outbreak Management Plan for Haringey, which outlines how the council will work with agencies and other parts of the public health system to prevent and manage any local outbreaks of COVID-19.
The plan also seeks to understand the wider impact of COVID-19 on local communities, as well as provide a local infrastructure and oversight on outbreak prevention, which will then link into national programmes and neighbouring areas.
Priority areas include the local testing capacity, engaging with Haringey’s Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic communities, and supporting people to self-isolate.
View the COVID-19 Outbreak Management Plan.
1.3 Reopening Haringey's Sports Courts
Haringey are planning on reopening Sports Courts from 4th July. Due to the staff availability required to do this, and the changes needed to physical structures such as reinstalling basketball hoops, this reopening will be phased, and may draw out across many days.
Once open some courts will operate within certain hours only, and be supervised so that the Council can monitor the social distancing on the courts and if there is any immediate risk when back in use. Signs should be erected detailing opening times, and regarding any holiday programmes.
1.4 Businesses urged to keep following COVID-19 guidance
Haringey Council’s Environmental Health and Trading Standards team have been working closely with over 500 businesses throughout the borough to ensure correct guidelines are being followed during the COVID-19 outbreak.
The council is determined to stop the spread of the virus but unfortunately a minority of businesses have gone against government guidance and have continued to operate.
Officers from the Commercial and Environmental Health and Trading Standards have served Prohibition Notices to a number of premises asking them to stop any operation of the business.
1.5 Haringey businesses warned over COVID-19 testing scam
Bogus letters about COVID-19 testing have been sent to businesses in the borough, with the Haringey Council logo on. All testing is carried out by the NHS, not the council, and businesses are urged to be vigilant.
The letter is on counterfeit Haringey paper and claims the council is planning to run a series of tests to rule out problems and determine the nature of good health in the business. It also claims that it will be filmed for training purposes.
Officers from the council's Regulatory Service rarely notifies businesses of their visits and would normally just turn up when the premises is open for business. Where it is necessary to make an appointment, a mutually convenient date and time will be confirmed by phone or letter.
All officers will show an ID card with a picture and confirmation of their name and job title and any letters from the council will have a named director and full contact details for the officer/frontline team.
If in doubt you can call the offices and confirm the identification of the officer, prior to allowing them entry.
1.6 Update on Libraries
With the Government giving permission for Libraries to reopen this weekend, Haringey Council have provided the following update:
"We are currently considering plans to begin the resumption of some services across the borough’s libraries.
"It is very important to note that our libraries will not be reopening in full yet and it will be some time before all facilities are restored to usual order.
"We realise that library users will be keen to resume using the libraries, but it is imperative that we ensure public safety is the number one priority.
"We are looking into how we can begin reopening our library buildings to the public – in line with government guidelines on social distancing – and we will provide an update with further details on this as soon as they are available."
1.7 Support for those at risk of domestic abuse
We want to assure those at risk, or those experiencing domestic abuse, that support services remain available during the pandemic, at what we know will be an even more difficult time for many.
Local support is available in Haringey and you can find out more on the council’s Violence Against Women and Girls pages: https://www.haringey.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/public-health/domestic-abuse-and-violence-against-women-and-girls-vawg/covid-19-and-violence-against-women-and-girls-vawg
You can ring the Haringey Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0300 012 0213, available Monday to Friday 10am-5.30pm or email: HaringeyIDVA@niaendingviolence.org.uk
There is also a freephone, 24-hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline number - 0808 2000 247 - run by Refuge.
1.8 Reminder that Parking Enforcement set to resume imminently
Haringey Council have announced that parking enforcement is set to resume in a phased approach starting this week: - Week commencing 29 June: The new one-day £15 parking charge comes into effect and most parking contraventions will be enforced. Enforcement of loading bays, temporary traffic orders and suspended bays will also begin.
- Monday 6 July: Full enforcement will resume on the 6 July. This includes the restart of Penalty Charge Notices (PCN) enforcement of permit bays, shared-use and pay by phone bays and public car parks.
Therefore please ensure any expired permits are renewed before the 6th July, and visitor permits are used in line with the dates above.
More info and details on how to renew here: https://www.haringey.gov.uk/news/parking-enforcement-resume
1.9 Congestion Charge changes
As lockdown begins to ease, congestion in central London continues to rise. Transport for London say there are now as many cars in the congestion zone as there were before the lockdown began, even with many people working from home.
TfL have now announced that the daily charge will increase from £11.50 to £15 per day (£17.50 for those paying during the three days after the day of travel) and charge hours will be extended to 07:00 to 22:00 from the current hours of 07:00 to 18:00, to reflect peak traffic hours during the pandemic. The scheme will operate seven days a week and all year around except Christmas Day.
Read more about Congestion Charge changes
1.10 Celebrating Haringey’s unsung Heroes
Do you know someone making a difference in the community during the coronavirus pandemic?
The Mayor of Haringey, Sheila Peacock has announced a new ‘Haringey Heroes Awards’ to celebrate Haringey’s unsung heroes. To find out more or make your nomination, click here.
1.11 Local Food Banks still require urgent donations
Food banks continue to support residents across the borough and are seeing supplies running desperately low. If you are able to support them please consider doing so.
Muswell Hill Foodbank (The Trussell Trust) - If you need food
- The Muswell Hill Foodbank on Pembroke Road is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You will need to get a voucher from one of the Referral Agencies (Citizens Advice, Social Services, Job Centres, some schools and doctors surgeries and other local charities) before going to the foodbank. Strict social distancing is in place to ensure the safety of clients and volunteers.
- The foodbank urgently needs donations
The Holy Trinity Food Bank Stroud Green - Open every Sunday from 1.30pm – 3.30pm.
- Please drop off donations at the food bank between 1.30pm - 3.30pm on Sundays. Alternatively there are dedicated collection bins at:
- Sainsbury’s, 175-179 Stroud Green Road, N4 3PZ
- Londis, 9-11 Ferme Park Road, N4 4DS
If you would like to make a monetary donation please email: htfoodbank@gmail.com and for more information visit: http://www.holytrinityfoodbank.org.uk/
The Gospel Centre Food Bank corner of Raleigh Road / Wightman Road, N8 OLT - Open Tuesday 6.30-8.30pm or Sunday 11.30-1pm.
- Requires donations of non perishable food
- Supporting those in need, especially from N8, N4 and N22 – no referral required
Enquiries to gospelcfoodbank@gmail.com
Other Local Foodbanks
1.12 Volunteering opportunities for local residents
Our voluntary organisations are working under huge pressure and looking for more help from the community:
1.13 Telephone befriending service
Staying at home can be lonely and it can be difficult to connect socially. As the lockdown continues this become ever more difficult for some of our residents.
Haringey Reach and Connect offer free calls to people in Haringey who would like to receive regular weekly calls from a friendly and supportive volunteer. The calls last approximately 30 minutes, and take place on the same day, at the same time, each week.
They match older people and volunteers carefully, to ensure they have some common interests and friendships are reviewed regularly, to ensure that both parties find them enjoyable.
If you would be interested in becoming or having a telephone befriender, please contact Reach and Connect who are running a special expanded service to respond to COVID-19, using this link: https://reachandconnect.net/get-support/telephone-friendship |
