UPDATES ON GOVERNMENT’S ROADMAP, COVID-19 VACCINES, ENGAGEMENT & SUPPORT

Posted on: 25/02/2021

Dear all,

As you are aware that the Government has set out its phased roadmap to bring England out of national lockdown. Along with the rest of the country, restrictions will gradually lift in Westminster in four steps, starting from Monday 8 March.

For now, we all need to continue to stay at home.

Step 1 will begin on 8 March and include:

Education

Pupils and students in all schools and further education, and those on university courses requiring on-site assessment can safely return to face to face teaching, supported by twice weekly testing of secondary and colleges.

Wraparound Care

Breakfast and after school classes reopen and activities including sport can restart, where necessary.

Social Contact

• People can meet 1 person outside for outdoor recreation.
• Clinically Extremely Vulnerable to shield at least until 31 March.
• Every care home resident will be able to nominate one named visitor able to see them regularly provided they are regularly tested and wear full PPE.

From 29 March:

Social contact

People will be able to meet outside in groups of up to 6 (the Rule of 6) or with one other household, including in private gardens.

Sport

Outdoor sports facilities will be able to re-open and organised outdoor sports will return subject to guidance

• Step 2 will come into effect no earlier than 12 April and will include:
• Non-essential retail and personal care services will reopen.
• Indoor leisure activities such as gyms will reopen.
• Holiday lets reopen for use of individuals or household groups.
• Begin to reopen pubs and restaurants outdoors – no curfew and no substantial meals required.
• Zoos, theme parks and drive in cinemas will reopen, as will public libraries and community centres

Step 3 will follow no earlier than 17 May and will include:

• Most restrictions lifted- up to a limit of 30 people
• Able to see friends and family indoors subject to the rule of 6 or a meeting of two households
• Reopening of pubs and restaurants indoors along with cinemas and children’s play areas, hotels, hostels and B&Bs
• Theatres, sports stadia and concert halls reopen subject to capacity limits

Step 4 will come into play no earlier than 21 June and is expected to:

• Remove all legal limits on social contact and on weddings and other live events
• Reopen everything including nightclubs and large events such as theatre performances above the limits at step 3, potentially using testing

Each step is dependent on these four tests being met and may be revised according to the data-

1. Vaccine programme continues successfully
2. Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in deaths and hospitalisations
3. Infection rates don’t risk a surge in hospitalisations
4. Assessment of risks is not fundamentally changed by new variants of concern

More information including the full roadmap can be found on GOV.UK.

VACCINATION:

Covid-19 vaccines are being rolled out largely across England, including Westminster. More than 15 million people (1 in 3) in England have been vaccinated with their first dose.

Residents aged 65 and over can now book their vaccine online or calling 119- without an invite.

You do not need to wait to be contacted if any of the following apply:

You are aged 65 and over You have previously received a letter saying you are at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable) You are an eligible frontline health worker You are an eligible frontline social care worker

You can book appointments at a larger vaccination centres or a pharmacy that provides COVID-19 vaccinations.

For all other residents-

The NHS will let you know when it's your turn to have the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination. Please attend your appointment when you’re called for it, so we are collectively able to reduce the impact of serious illness, hospitalisations and deaths, and we can come out of the lockdown slowly, but cautiously.

More information How you will be contacted for your coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Vaccine engagement:

If you’d like Q&A sessions, discussions or workshops with your residents, service users or staff and volunteer groups to address COVID-19 vaccine concerns, please get back to me (Muskaan) at mkhurana@westminster.gov.uk or call 07506202574 to discuss options.

In the meantime, please refer to our Covid-19 Vaccine FAQ's, which are regularly updated to reflect emerging concerns.

AGE UK COVID-19 Vaccination Transport:

If you are aged 50+, AGE UK can arrange free taxi transport to and from your Covid-19 Vaccination appointment within Kensington & Chelsea, Hammersmith & Fulham, Westminster, Hillingdon, Harrow and Brent area. Please contact Amy Shallon at ashallon@ageuk.org.uk or call 07947 188 221.

Please continue to stay at home, keep travel to a minimum and continue to follow hands, face, space when out and about.

Let’s keep safe, informed and connected.

Thank you!

Best wishes,
Muskaan
Muskaan Khurana

Community Resilience Manager
Public Health
Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea | Westminster City Council

Westminster City Council
64 Victoria Street
London SW1E 6QP
mkhurana@westminster.gov.uk
0750 6202 574
www.westminster.gov.uk