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Tuesday 1st December 2020

Residents Bulletin

Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we are providing regular email updates to let you know about the latest information we have on local and national measures to contain the virus, any changes to local services and support that’s available.

If you do not wish to receive these updates please click on “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the page.

Further information is available from www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus


Tier 3

Coronavirus Tier 3: Very High Alert

Rotherham enters Tier 3 restrictions from tomorrow

Rotherham and the whole of South Yorkshire will enter Tier 3: Very High Alert Covid-19 restrictions from tomorrow(Wednesday 2 December), as the national lockdown comes to an end.

The changes mean that all retail, gyms and close-contact beauty services like hairdressers will be able to re-open but many venues including pubs, restaurants, hotels and indoor entertainment such as cinemas and bingo halls must remain closed in tier 3 areas.

In tier 3 restrictions you must not meet people from outside your household or support bubble socially, either indoors or in most outdoor places. This includes in any private garden and most outdoor venues.

You can meet others in a group of no more than 6 people at some outdoor public spaces, such as parks or countryside accessible to the public or a heritage site – this is called the ‘rule of 6’. Social distancing must be used.

View the guidance and all the new restrictions for Tier 3 areas.

There are some frequently asked questions about tier 3 restrictions available on the Rotherham Council website, which we will be adding to in the coming days.

Why Tier 3 for Rotherham?

The Government has based its decision on which areas to place in each tier on five key indicators:

  • case detection rates in all age groups
  • case detection rates in the over-60s
  • the rate at which cases are rising or falling
  • positivity rate (the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken)
  • pressure on the NHS, including current and projected occupancy

Despite overall infection rates falling in South Yorkshire for the last few weeks, case rates in the over 60s age group – amongst those most at risk from serious, life-threatening illness from Covid-19 – remain very high. Pressure on local NHS services also remains high due to the number of Covid-19 patients in local hospitals.

The Government will review the tiers for each area every fortnight.

If we follow the guidance and work together to improve the position in Rotherham there is a good chance we will be moved to a lower tier and some restrictions will be eased.


What the changes mean for Council services

Rotherham Leisure Complex

The end of the national lockdown will mean some Rotherham Council services will be available again from tomorrow.

Leisure centres and Herringthorpe Athletics stadium will be open and non-essential retail on all Rotherham markets will be able to trade.

However, Clifton Park Museum, Waleswood Camping site and the Civic Theatre are amongst the venues which must remain closed.

Our libraries will be closed to visitors, but our order and collect and online library sevice remains available.

Visit the Rotherham Council website for the latest information on services affected by Coronavirus.


Get tested

Click the image to book an appointment for a Covid-19 test at a local site

Get tested – even if your symptoms are mild

There is good Covid-19 testing capacity available at all the borough’s four sites – Midland Road (drive-through), Forge Island, Dinnington and Maltby.

Appointments are available seven days a week. Alternatively, a home testing kit can be provided.

It’s really important that you arrange to get a Covid-19 test as soon as possible if you are displaying any of the following symptoms, even if they are mild:

  • you have a high temperature
  • you have a new, continuous cough
  • you’ve lost your sense of smell or taste or it’s changed

If you have symptoms, getting a test is good for your own peace of mind and will help protect your family, work colleagues and others.

Book a free test here.


Emma Kayne

Click on the photograph to view Emma Kayne’s Covid video story

Emma’s Covid story: from holiday heaven to holiday hell

Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on lives and livelihoods – and both in the case of Emma Kayne’s travel agency business.

Local independent travel agency, Kayne Travel opened in Wath two years ago and was becoming a real success story – but the arrival of the pandemic has changed everything.

In the latest of our series of short videos about how Covid-19 has impacted the lives of local people in different ways, owner Emma Kayne talks about how it has hit her business and her customers. Click here to view Emma’s story.

You can still view the previous Covid stories on our YouTube channel:

11 year-old Beth from Rotherham on how her big plans for 2020 have been shattered, but how she’s still hoping to spend Christmas with .

Julie Adamson and her heartbreaking storyof losing her mother-in-law to Covid-19, being unable to visit her daughter who lives in supported accomodation and her ruined 50th birthday celebrations.


Public transport advice from South Yorkshire Travel

Public transport

Travel South Yorkshire is reminding passengers that they must not use public transport if:

  • they are displaying Coronavirus symptoms
  • they are self-isolating
  • they are living with someone who has symptoms or who is self-isolting

For the latest advice on using public transport during the pandemic and to view changes to regular services, visit the Travel South Yorkshire website.