The government has announced an immediate national lockdown to control the spread of COVID-19, with rates rising across London and the UK. 

From 12.01am on Wednesday (6 January), the national lockdown comes into law. Residents are advised to follow the lockdown guidance immediately, meaning that you should stay at home and only leave home for specific reasons, such as: 

• Shopping for essential items and medicine
• To travel to work, but only if you cannot work from home
• To seek medical help, get tested or get vaccinated
• To escape domestic abuse.

Council leader Julian Bell said: “Across London, cases rose rapidly last month with the latest figures for Ealing showing a weekly infection rate of 857.8 per 100,000. The new strand of the virus spreads rapidly and, so, a ‘stay at home’ order, along with other restrictions, will become law across the country.

“People must avoid contact with others and are only permitted to leave their homes for a limited set of reasons. Each and every one of us need to follow these new rules so that we can keep Ealing safe, protect the NHS and save lives.”

Full details of what you can and cannot do are available on the government’s website. Further information on the impact on council services will be available is available on the council’s website.

Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until at least the February half term. Early Years settings currently remain open, such as nurseries.

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential. You should not attend work and you will receive a letter from the national programme about the reintroduction of shielding.

The council continues to support vulnerable individuals and households through a mix of virtual and face-to-face interactions. The Ealing Together line remains available to vulnerable residents: 020 8825 7170.  Information for residents on financial advice, work support and taking care of health and wellbeing is available on the council’s website.

Residents can keep up to date on COVID-19 and find out support available to them by going to council’s website.