Friday 23rd October 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

We want to hear your Covid story

Everyone has been affected by COVID in one way or another.

As part of our work to try to keep people safe and reminding people why sticking to the rules is important to reduce the risk in Rotherham we want to share people’s personal COVID stories.

It could be that you’re someone who has had the disease and recovered or that you have sadly lost a loved one.

For others it may be that you’ve been made redundant or that you’re struggling to keep your business from going under.

Perhaps you were due to be married this year or go on a holiday of a lifetime, but because of COVID your plans were ruined?

Whatever your story, we would like to hear from you.

These stories will form part of our campaign using social media, newsletters and videos to bring the people of Rotherham back together to share the same goals or keeping each other safe.

Please email us at corporate.comms@rotherham.gov.uk  with a few lines in answer to these questions. Please include your first name and age.

• How have you been affected by COVID?
• How does this make you feel?
• What would you ask people of Rotherham to do now?

We won’t do anything with your story until we have spoken to you.

Rotherham infection rate passes another grim milestone

The COVID infection rate over the last week has passed 500 per 100,000 for the first time.

The seven day infection rate in Rotherham for this week is 502.2 per 100,000 (7 days to 24th October), with 1,360 new positive cases reported in the last week. This compares to a rate of 377.2 per 100,000 for the previous week, in which there were 1,080 new cases.

New Covid testing site is coming to Dinnington

There are plans to build a new walk-through COVID testing site in Dinnington.

The new site, which will be located in a central location within the town, is set to open in early to mid November.

As well as being more accessible for Dinningtion residents, it will also be easier to get to than the Forge Island testing site for people living in areas like Laughton, Laughton Common, North and South Anston, Thurcroft, Harthill and Kiveton.

Testing is by appointment only.

Anyone showing Coronavirus symptoms, even mild ones, should book an appointment for a test as soon as possible. You must book a test on the NHS website or by calling 119.

Following a national shortage of testing slots several weeks ago, local testing sites are once again reporting good availability.

If you’re getting a test because you have symptoms, you and anyone you live with must self-isolate until you get your result. This also applies to anyone in your support bubble (where someone who lives alone – or just with their children – can meet people from 1 other household).

You must also self-isolate while you’re waiting to get your test.

Celebrate safely this Halloween

With Halloween coming up this weekend, Rotherham residents are being asked to celebrate safely and reduce the risk of spreading COVID, This increase in infections locally and the new Tier 3 restrictions makes it even more vital that any Halloween celebrations remain safe and limited to single households or online. If you have little ones and you’re looking for safe ways to celebrate this weekend, the RMBC Events Facebook page is packed with ideas.

We will still remember them

To reduce the risk of Covid infections, especially for elderly veterans, this year’s Remembrance Day and Armistice Day commemorations will be held online.

The Council has been left with no alternative other than to cancel this year’s Remembrance Service and Parade but is giving local people a chance to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice from home, with an online, pre-recorded broadcast on Remembrance Sunday, 8^thNovember in Rotherham – in line with the time honoured tradition.

Residents will be able to view the virtual service on the Council website at www.rotherham.gov.uk/remembrance and on the Council’s social media pages at 10.15am on Sunday, 8th November and on Wednesday, 11th November.

People are being advised to pay their respects in the week ahead from Monday, 2^nd November through to Armistice Day, Wednesday, 11^th November to avoid crowds gathering at the Cenotaph and to ensure social distancing.

The Royal British Legion is suggesting a number of ways in which people can pay their respects, including holding a remembrance service in your garden or creating an online book of remembrance. Visit the RBL website for details.

Household Waste & Recycling sites to open 7 days a week

Starting from this Sunday, Rotherham’s four Household Waste and Recycling Centres will all be open 7 days a week. The sites at Greasbrough, Bramley, Rawmarsh and North Anston are open between 10am and 4pm Monday to Sunday during winter and will be open between 10am and 6.30pm during the summer months. Social distancing restrictions are still in place in order to keep everyone safe and therefore queuing occurs at times. However, it is hoped that by providing additional opening days, visits will be more spread out, which will make social distancing easier and help reduce the risk of infections. Residents are reminded to limit the number of visits they make where possible to ensure that everyone who needs the sites is able to access them. Further information about Household Waste & Recycling Centres is available from the Council’s website.

Neighbouring areas move to Very High Alert Level

Areas neighbouring South Yorkshire are also moving to the Very High Alert (Tier 3) Alert Level.

Nottinghamshire moved to Very High Alert Level with effect from today and West Yorkshire will also move to Tier 3 from Monday.

For full details about the restrictions in place in each Very High Alert Area, including South Yorkshire, see the Government’s website.

Cyprus and Lithuania removed from travel corridor list

Starting from 4am on Sunday 1st November, travellers returning to England from Cyprus and Lithuania will need to self-isolate for two weeks, the Government has announced. This is follows an increase in COVID cases. 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.

Getting in touch…

During this challenging time please, where possible and appropriate, use our online services rather than calling via telephone. We’re receiving a high level of calls daily and want to ensure we’re able to answer urgent calls regarding vulnerable residents and our front line services.