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Monday 19th October 2020

Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we will now be providing email updates to members and stakeholders every Friday to let you know about the latest information we have and any changes to local services that may be affected. We will issue further updates if required.

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Rotherham is at Covid local alert level - high

Infection rate in Rotherham increases again

The latest seven day average for infection rates in Rotherham has seen another significant increase.

The latest seven day Covid-19 infection rate in Rotherham is 273.9 per 100,000 (7 days to 10th October), with 778 new cases reported in the last week. This compares to a rate of 170.8 per 100,000 for the previous week, in which there were 520 new cases.

Rotherham Alert Level

Based on the Government’s new three-tier alert system, Rotherham is at Local Alert Level – High, often known as tier two (the middle tier).

View the full list of restrictions in place for Local Alert Level High

Click on the image below to view our easy-to-follow guide of the current restrictions in place in Rotherham and how they affect day-to-day activities.

Please remember, this relates to current restrictions and is subject to change, should the Alert Level be altered.

Covid Restrictions guide

Rotherham Covid-19 restrictions guide (Alert Tier 2 – High). Click to download


Update on Coronavirus Alert Level in South Yorkshire

Mayor Dan Jarvis has issued a statement on behalf of all South Yorkshire’s Leaders following a meeting with Government officials on Friday afernoon.

Mayor Jarvis confirmed that initial discussions have taken place regarding the coronavirus alert level in the region. He said that the talks were “constructive and provide a useful starting point as we work together to get the right restrictions and support in place.”

View the full statement on the Sheffield City Region website


Financial support for some self-isolating workers

Some residents who have been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test & Trace service may be eligible for the Government’s Test and Trace Support payment.

Those wanting to apply can use the online form on the Rotherham Council website. A £500 lump sum is available.

The scheme is open to those who are unable to work from home after being told to self-isolate either because they have tested positive for the virus or have been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace service.

To be eligible for the Test and Trace Support Payment, you must:

  • have been asked to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace either because you have tested positive for coronavirus or have been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace service;
  • be employed or self-employed;
  • be unable to work from home and will lose income as a result; and
  • be currently receiving Universal Credit, Working Tax Credit, income-based Employment and Support Allowance, income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance, Income Support, Housing Benefit and/or Pension Credit.

Although Rotherham Council is responsible for administering the scheme, the eligibility criteria is set by the Government.

You can apply online now.


Lancashire moved to Alert Level – Very High

The county of Lancashire has been moved up to the highest Alert Level – Very High.

Lancashire now joins the Liverpool City Region as the only places in the country currently under the highest coronavirus restrictions. Discussions on moving Greater Manchester to Alert Level Very High are ongoing.

Full details from the Government website.

Meanwhile Barrow-in-Furness, Chesterfield, Elmbridge, Erewash, Essex, all London boroughs, North East Derbyshire and York have been moved to Local Alert Level – High (the same as South Yorkshire).

Please remember, when travelling to different parts of the country, the alert level and associated restrictions in the area you live apply to you.


Italy removed from safe travel list as Crete is added

Italy

Passengers returning to England from Italy, San Marino and Vatican City State will need to self-isolate for two weeks under changes introduced at the weekend.

This is following an increase in confirmed coronavirus cases.

But there’s better news for travellers returning from the Greek Island of Crete. Crete has been added to the government’s travel corridor list following a decrease in confirmed cases of coronavirus.

This means passengers arriving in England from Crete will no longer need to self-isolate, provided they haven’t been in or transited through any other non-exempt countries in the 14 days preceding their arrival.

All travellers, including those from exempt destinations, are required to show a completed passenger locator form on arrival into the UK, unless they fall into a small group of exemptions.

Penalties for people who break self-isolation rules when returning from non-exempt countries have increased from £1,000 for first offences up to £10,000 for subsequent offences, which is the same as penalties for those breaching self-isolation following a positive COVID-19 test or contact from Test and Trace.

A list of the countries on the safe travel corridor list is available from the https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-travel-corridors.


£42m improvements to the Parkway announced

Plans for the widening of the Parkway (A630) – a main route between Rotherham and Sheffield – have been announced by the Government.

More than 65,000 vehicles a day use the road, which also links both Rotherham and Sheffield to the M1 motorway at junction 33.

The £46 million scheme will see the road widened into a dual 3-lane carriageway, markedly increasing capacity on the road. Junction 33 on the intersecting M1 will also benefit from carriageway widening and resurfacing, reducing congestion, cutting carbon (CO2) emissions, and further boosting capacity to help road users move about more easily.

Main works on the project are set to start soon with the scheme scheduled for completion in summer 2022.

See the announcement on the Government’s website