Hackney,
27
November
2020
|
16:36
Europe/London

Coronavirus update from the Mayor of Hackney

Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville
I would like to thank all of our residents, business owners, key workers, volunteers, voluntary sector organisations and those who work in Hackney for the changes they have made and the community spirit shown over the past eight months. 

Next Wednesday (2 December) the national lockdown comes to an end and Hackney is going back to Tier-2 with the rest of London. It is a welcome step, but I have to be very clear not a return to normal. Hackney residents are sadly dying again from Covid-19 and the NHS is starting to come under real pressure. So we must all remain steadfast and carry on practising hands, face, space and keeping to the guidelines. 

You must not mix with people from other households indoors, and even though you can meet in the rule of 6 outdoors, you must remain 2m away from those not in your household or bubble. London risks going into stricter Tier-3 restrictions if we don’t follow the rules, and we risk harming those around us. 

While some are saying that hope is now in sight with the vaccine, we don’t have it yet and there remains a long winter ahead. So we have to keep working together until that has achieved its goal to make sure our friends, family and communities are kept safe. 

I am asking everyone to do their bit to keep Hackney safe. That means:
- Hands: Keep washing your hands regularly or using hand sanitizer
- Face: Wear a face covering in enclosed spaces like shops, places of worship or public transport. Make sure it covers both your nose and mouth.
- Space: Stay at least 2m away from those not in your household or bubble
- Isolate: If you have any of the symptoms for Coronavirus, however mild, please self isolate for at least 10 days, unless you’ve had a negative test result
- Test: As soon as you get any Coronavirus symptoms, book a test immediately by calling 119, downloading the NHS COVID-19 app or going online to nhs.uk/coronavirus. We have worked hard to expand testing locally, so the sooner you get tested, the sooner you will get your result.
- Follow the government guidelines 

Times remain tough for Hackney businesses and they will be pleased that in the run up to Christmas more of our businesses can open for trade as long as they do so in a Covid safe way. It is important for us to shop locally and support these local businesses that have been so hard hit by the pandemic, making sure we are wearing our face coverings when doing so. 

There is information on our business support pages on what the new Tier-2 restrictions mean for business, we are also hosting a virtual business forum on 10 December at 6pm, if businesses want to register for this they can email businesses@hackney.gov.uk

Coronavirus has hit Hackney hard over the past year, with many tragic deaths, and we are sadly still seeing high levels of infection in the borough. So we must all use that renowned Hackney Spirit to keep each other safe.
Mayor of Hackney, Philip Glanville

For information

In Hackney there are a number of testing sites:

  • Dalston, Bentley Road Car Park, N1 4BZ (open 7 days a week 8am-8pm)
  • Hackney Central, Mare Street, E9 6ND (open 7 days a week 8am-8pm)
  • Stamford Hill, Sandford Court, Bethune Road, N16 5BB (open 7 days a week 8am-8pm)
  • Stamford Hill, Yesodey Hatorah School, Egerton Rd, N16 6UB
  • Homerton, Hackney Marshes Centre, E9 5PF

There are also 2 testing centres nearby that residents can also use:

  • Stamford Hill Primary Nursery Berkeley Rd, Haringey N15 6HD (7 days 8am-8pm)
  • GuildHall Yard, City of London, EC2V 5AA (7 days 8am-8pm)

To book an appointment at these sites call 119 or go to nhs.uk/coronavirus.