Coronavirus: Weekly update From Camden Council To keep you up to date with changes to council services and support available through the Council and its partners, you’ll find weekly updates here in the Camden New Journal. Visit camden.gov.uk/coronavirus for the latest on all council services and information on essential support, including how to access emergency food and financial support. The webpage contains information in different languages and formats. You can also check the rolling news feed at camden.gov.uk/coronavirusnews, Twitter @CamdenCouncil or speak to someone at the Council directly on 020 7974 4444 (option 9).
SIGN UP to the Council’s coronavirus e-newsletter for regular service updates, news and support at camden.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates
We all play our part in opening up more parts of our community safely and preventing a second wave – from wearing a face covering, to keeping our distance, to continuing to wash our hands. These simple actions can save lives and protect our community. Last week I wrote about our new campaign to raise awareness of NHS Test and Trace, called Keep Camden Safe. As well as providing tests for people with symptoms, you may be contacted by NHS Test and Trace and asked to self-isolate if you’ve been close to someone who’s tested positive, even if you have no symptoms yourself. Doing this is vital as you could spread the virus without knowing you have it. We want to reassure you that if you or others need to self-isolate, Camden is here to help. Together with our voluntary and community sector partners, we’re launching a community support package to those who need it. This provides access to food, and support with job and work needs, children’s education and caring responsibilities. This package would also be available if restrictions are tightened in Camden. If there’s a local outbreak, we may need to take swift action to reduce transmission and help protect the community. My pledge to you is that if this happens we will communicate all essential details to you clearly, and will always give you the help you need. For the latest on COVID-19 cases in Camden, visit camden.gov.uk/coronavirus-data. The best thing we can all do is to follow public health guidance and keep each other safe. Councillor Georgia Gould, Leader of Camden Council
Changes to self-isolation guidance Self-isolation guidance has changed and is longer than it was before. Now, if you develop coronavirus symptoms or have a positive test, you must self-isolate for 10 days. This means not leaving your home, other than to get a test. Camden Council knows that some people are worried about being able to self-isolate for different reasons – you can call the Council for support with this on 020 7974 4444 (option 9). • Look out for symptoms: • New, persistent cough • High temperature • Loss of or change in smell or taste If you develop symptoms, get tested straight away – visit nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119.
Help to raise awareness of how to get a test and how to access support with self-isolating. Take a photo of this page with your smart phone and share with your friends and family. Together, let’s help to keep Camden safe.
KEEP LONDON SAFE
camden.gov.uk/coronavirus 020 7974 4444 (option 9)
Face coverings Remember, you must wear a face covering on public transport and in indoor public spaces where safe social distancing may be difficult. From Saturday 8 August, the only indoor public spaces where face coverings will not be required will be in restaurants with table service, bars, and pubs.
This does not apply to children under 11, adults with breathing difficulties or anyone not able to wear a face covering because of a disability. Keep your face covering clean and wash your hands regularly to help stop the spread of the virus. For the latest guidance, visit gov.uk/coronavirus
Shielding update As of 1 August, the Government guidance is that people who are clinically extremely vulnerable are no longer advised to shield and can now visit shops, places of worship and other venues. You should, however, still try to keep your overall social interactions low. You can return to work if your workplace is COVID-
CORONAVIRUS
PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS
secure, though you should carry on working from home wherever possible. There’s still support for you to stay at home as much as you feel you need to. Visit camden. gov.uk/coronavirus to read the latest Government guidelines and find out about support or call 020 7974 4444 (option 9).
Camden libraries Pancras Square, West Hampstead and Queen’s Crescent libraries have reopened to offer access to computers only. To begin with, the libraries are operating reduced hours from 10.30am to 3.30pm, Monday to Saturday. Computers are spaced to enable social distancing, cleaned between users and available on a first come, first served basis. Please wear a face covering in libraries – this is mandatory from Saturday 8 August.
Summer activities
From Monday 17 August, Holborn and Swiss Cottage libraries will offer access to books through a Request and Read service. Simply order your books online or over the phone, then pick them up from a counter in the library. On return, books will be quarantined for 72 hours before becoming available for reissue. We aim to reopen the remaining libraries from September. Find out more at camden.gov.uk/libraries
This summer, children and young people can enjoy a huge range of activities offered by Camden Council and its partners.
• Holborn Community Association is running mini-camps and Girls Get Moving Week (24 to 28 family arts activities in spaces across Holborn August). Find out more and book at camden.gov.uk/ (socially distanced) and via Zoom – next week’s children-young-people. For more information theme is junk modelling. Find out more at phone 020 7974 8754 or email holborncommunity.co.uk sportsdevelopment@camden.gov.uk • The Council is running free football skills • Children aged four to 11 can join the Summer sessions at Cantelowes Sports Pitch for ages Reading Challenge, celebrating funny books, 8 to 12 on 11 and 18 August, and free Girls happiness and laughter – visit camden.gov.uk/ Get Moving Mondays multi-sports sessions summer-reading-challenge for ages 8 to 14 at Talacre Sports Centre on • For Camden’s full programme of activities, visit 10 and 17 August. The Council is also running camdenrise.co.uk/things-to-do. All activities multi-sports programmes, gymnastics will meet Government guidelines.
The CARAF Centre The CARAF Centre in Queen’s Crescent provides educational support to Black and minority ethnic and low-income families in Camden. The centre is offering free online support and activities delivered by professionals, including wellbeing, exercise, art, photography, singing, poetry and acting. Highlights this summer include a weekly community choir and drawing lessons for adults, online maths and science tuition sessions for 5 to 16 year olds, drama for 11 to 14 year olds, and spoken word poetry for adults with Rakaya Fetuga, winner of the 2018 Roundhouse Slam (pictured). Find out more and donate to support the CARAF Centre at thecarafcentre.co.uk
Contact your local councillor
Apply for a pavement licence New legislation passed by the Government makes it easier for cafes, restaurants, pubs and bars to apply for a pavement licence to use their immediate outdoor space to seat and serve customers. Businesses applying for a licence must display a public notice about their application in their shop-front window for seven days. Residents can also sign up to receive notifications about new licensing applications in their area. To find out more visit camden.gov.uk/pavement-licensing To support the local hospitality sector to reopen safely, Camden Council’s frontline presence team will be active in our local high streets and centres to make sure businesses are operating safely. Find out more about reopening your business safely at camden.gov.uk/covid-businesses
camden.gov.uk/coronavirus 020 7974 4444 (option 9)
CORONAVIRUS
PROTECT YOURSELF & OTHERS
While face-to-face surgeries are currently suspended, your councillors are still here to help. To get in touch, visit camden.gov.uk/councillors or call 020 7974 2792. You can also catch-up with council meetings by watching live or as recordings at camden.gov.uk/ councilmeetings. This week’s meetings include Planning Committee, tonight (6 August) at 7pm.