MyWestminster - 23 November 2020

Mon Nov 23 19:27:45 GMT 2020

Important updates for Westminster residents

https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-and-information?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651
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** Monday 23 November 2020
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** Public Health Updates
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NATIONAL RESTRICTIONS: Today, the government confirmed current national restrictions will end on Wednesday 2 December. A return to the three-tier system will start from Thursday 3 December, however each tier has been modified with slightly tougher restrictions to prevent the spread of the virus. Under the revised tiers, shops and gyms will reopen and there will be a return to the ‘Rule of Six’ for outdoor gatherings. The previous 10pm curfew for hospitality venues will change to a 10pm ‘last orders’ call with closing times at 11pm.

Full details on what tier London will be placed into is expected later this week. Keep an eye on our website (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-updates?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) , our social media channels (https://twitter.com/CityWestminster?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) and future editions of this newsletter (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/br20?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) for full details on what will be allowed under the new guidance.

Click here to read the government’s COVID-19 Winter Plan (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/937529/COVID-19_Winter_Plan.pdf?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) .
http://westminster.gov.uk/health-champions?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651
BECOME A HEALTH CHAMPION: On Wednesday 25 November, our COVID-19 Health Champions will be joined by the National Institute for Health Research (https://twitter.com/NIHRresearch?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) for a webinar on vaccines. Want to join the conversation? Sign up today to become a Health Champion and help your community (http://westminster.gov.uk/health-champions?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) !

Health Champions are part of the Westminster Connects’ volunteering hub (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-how-you-can-help?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651#covid-19-health-champions) which supports thousands of Westminster residents during these challenging times.

TESTING SITES: Our semi-permanent, walk-through testing centres are open seven days a week, from 8am to 8pm. Find the locations here (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/CovidTest?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) .

Mobile virus testing units will be available on North Carriage Drive in Hyde Park on Thursday 26 and Friday 27 November from 10.30am until 3.30pm.

A test must be booked in advance by calling 119 or on the NHS website (https://westminster.us1.list-manage.com/track/click?u=a50c8b0dd980669ef713b4cca&id=c2ec1cbb69&e=7f8f665642&utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) . Testing is most effective within three days of symptoms developing and anyone with symptoms can get a coronavirus test, whatever their age.

Information about semi-permanent testing centres is available on our website in other languages, including Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Portuguese, Tigrinya, Somali and Sorani (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/CovidTest?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651#coronavirus-semi-permanent-testing-centres) .
https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651

** Council Updates
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https://www.westminster.gov.uk/reopening-westminsters-hospitality-sector?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651
SUPPORTING WESTMINSTER BUSINESSES: Councillor Rachael Robathan, Leader of Westminster City Council, today welcomed the government’s decision to change the rules around the 10pm curfew coming into effect from 3 December (see above). In a letter to Matt Hancock, the Secretary of State for Health, sent last month, the Leader outlined her concerns that the curfew was devastating for Westminster businesses and encouraging crowds to gather on streets. Cllr Robathan has also today written to the Secretary of State for Business, Alok Sharma MP (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/coronavirus-advice-businesses?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) , to further emphasise the importance of a change to curfew hours.

Our commitment to support Westminster businesses continues with the approval of our winter hospitality schemes. Last week the Council approved, in principle, more than 40 winter al-fresco hospitality schemes that can begin operating safely from 3 December. The winter schemes will be able to operate until 30 April 2021 and will cover the whole of the city, including our world-famous West End area. The schemes not only include continuing outdoor dining, but also let establishments utilise infra-red heaters and canopies to protect patrons from the worst of the winter weather.

Full details on the ways we are continuing to support Westminster’s vital hospitality sector can be found here (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/reopening-westminsters-hospitality-sector?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) .
CALL FOR FAIRER COVID-19 BUSINESS GRANTS: Cllr Robathan has also put her support behind a call asking the government for a fairer COVID-19 grant scheme for businesses. The Additional Restrictions Grant makes payments for firms that are allowed to stay open during lockdown restrictions, but are nonetheless struggling to survive.

“The problem is the government funding formula is based on the number of residents, not the number of businesses,” says Cllr Robathan. “We have a relatively small population of just over 260,000 but the biggest business base in the UK with 50,000 companies here.

“We risk suffering from a simplistic calculation that turns the maths on its head and means money is spread too thinly. It is in everyone’s interests that Westminster businesses get the right funding. The West End delivers one in ten of all London jobs so not enough support for our businesses puts many London jobs at risk.”

A letter signed by Cllr Robathan and 11 other London council leaders and mayors (https://www.standard.co.uk/news/london/london-business-grants-coronavirus-b76968.html?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) calls for a rethink to make things fairer across the board.
TOP-RANKED SCHOOLS: Two of Westminster’s excellent primary schools have made it into the top 40 of The Sunday Times list of top primary schools in the country, based on their exam results.

The list identified the 600 highest-achieving primary and prep schools in England, surveyed out of 15,000 primary schools. Hampden Gurney C of E Primary School was ranked fourth in the country and St Clement Danes C of E Primary School came in at 39, based on their writing and maths aggregated SATs scores from 2019.

Cllr Timothy Barnes, Westminster City Council Cabinet Member for Children’s Services and Libraries, said: “It’s fantastic to see our schools recognised for their hard work in ensuring children receive the best education they can. To have two primary schools reach the top 40 out of all of the state schools in England is an incredible achievement and for Hampden Gurney to have reached number four on the list is truly a credit to the hard work of the teachers and pupils there.”
https://carers-network.org.uk/events/virtual-stall/?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651
CARERS RIGHTS DAY: On Thursday 26 November, as part of Carers Rights Day 2020, our Carers Network is hosting an online ‘Virtual Stall’ via Zoom, letting carers pop in, meet the team and find out how they can help.

There will be two sessions on the day, from 11am until 1pm, and from 2pm to 4pm. Details on how to join can be found here (https://carers-network.org.uk/events/virtual-stall/?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) and there is no need to register. If you need more details, email the team at: info at carers-network.org.uk (mailto:info at carers-network.org.uk) .
https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651
(Image via: UN Women)
UN DAY FOR ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN: This Wednesday (25 November) is being recognised by the United Nations as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women (https://www.un.org/en/observances/ending-violence-against-women-day?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) .

Partners across Westminster are organising a series of events to celebrate 16 Days of Activism (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/domestic-abuse?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651#16-days-of-activism-to-end-violence-against-women-) leading to December 10 – International Human Rights Day. Look out for such activities and how to get further involved across our social media channels (https://twitter.com/CityWestminster?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) .

There is simply no excuse for abuse in any form and it is vital to remember that it is not your fault, you are not alone, and support is available (https://www.westminster.gov.uk/domestic-abuse?utm_source=MyWestminster+Updates&utm_campaign=d1ec9e7012-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2020_03_22_10_27_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_bd2a0fcc47-d1ec9e7012-40059651) .

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