This year has been hard for everyone and huge sacrifices have been made by us all. I want to say thank you for the effort residents have made in coming together to support each other and for following public health guidance. This is something we will need to continue to do over the coming weeks and months.
The NHS is reporting serious issues in hospitals as COVID-19 infections have risen sharply in London and the UK in December.
This has led to increased demand for hospital care. So, I am urging residents to continue to follow the public health guidance and the restrictions for Tier 4.
As it is New Year’s Eve, I know we are all tempted to meet up with friends and family. Please remember that Tier 4 means that this is not possible this year. You should not mix with anyone outside of your household,
unless they are in your support bubble. You should also only leave your house if you have an suitable reason.
Police are able to fine you up to £6,400 for breaking the tier rules, and you can get fines of up to £10,000 for gatherings of more than 30 people.
Delayed return for schools
All settings will remain open as normal for vulnerable pupils. Children of critical workers will also be able to attend school.
Primary schools and nurseries within primary schools in Ealing – vulnerable children will return from Monday, 4 January
as will children of critical workers. All other pupils will not now return until Monday, 18 January.
High schools in Ealing – vulnerable children will return from Monday, 4 January along with children of critical workers. Students in years 11 and year 13 are expected to return to school on Monday, 11 January. Other year groups are currently expected to return Monday, 18 January.
Early years, nurseries and childminders in Ealing are unaffected by these restrictions and will remain open as usual.
Special schools are unaffected by these restrictions and will remain open as usual.
Vaccines
We have had some good news which offers light at the end of the tunnel from COVID-19. The Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine was approved yesterday,
which can be added to the approved vaccine made by Pfizer last month.
The Pfizer vaccine has started to be administered in Ealing to people working in frontline services and to some patients over the age of 80.
Over the coming weeks and months more of us will be invited to a vaccination appointment.
Please remember that there is no need to contact your GP,
they will contact you when your vaccine is ready. This is a huge step forward in tackling the virus and helping us go back to some form of normality.
With that good news I hope it encourages residents to continue
to do their bit in stopping the spread, so that we can protect our family, friends, and protect the NHS.
EU citizens welcome here
We value our EU citizens and want you to stay in Ealing. More than 76,000 EU citizens have applied for settled status in our borough. We want you all to stay, you still have 30 June 2021 to apply for settled status.
Get tested
Please be aware the 111 service is currently under extreme pressure in our area. GP surgeries are open as normal, except on weekends and bank holidays.
If you need non-COVID medical help this weekend, please call your practice at any time – you will be advised of the extended hours GP service for your area.
If you have COVID symptoms, go to the NHS website or call 111. In a medical emergency, you should dial 999 as usual. Thank you for supporting the NHS.
