UK Government: COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021 - The Roadmap out of Lockdown for England

Click infographic to enlarge.

The government has published the ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’, setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England and how it will continue to protect and support citizens across the UK.

‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’ is available to download and read in various formats at >> www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-spring-2021

#Coronavirus | #Covid_19 | www.gov.uk/coronavirus

Upchurch Matters

NHS Kent and Medway CCG - Community Bulletin

Kent and Medway hits milestone in Covid-19 vaccination programme

The NHS in Kent and Medway met its first national milestone in the vaccination programme this week by offering vaccinations to everyone in the top four priority groups: people aged 70 and over, those on the shielded patient list (considered clinically extremely vulnerable), older adults in care homes and frontline health and care workers.

Together, this achievement means we have delivered a total of 455,910 vaccines in Kent and Medway, protecting hundreds of thousands of people from the worst effects of this deadly virus.

Thank you to everyone who has been involved in the most complex and important health intervention of our lifetimes – this was an ambitious target and it would not have been possible without the collective effort of so many people across the Kent and Medway health and care system.

If you have not yet had your first dose of a Covid-19 vaccine and are either 65 years and older, on the shielded patient list (considered clinically extremely vulnerable) or a frontline health and social care worker, you can book your first dose appointment through the national booking system.

You can book online or by phoning 119.

Read our latest vaccine programme update on our website

Thousands more people invited for Covid-19 vaccine

The NHS is now offering vaccinations to people aged over 65 and those who have underlying health conditions. These two groups are cohorts five and six as indicated by the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI.)

Cohort five is people aged 65 to 69. If you are in this group, you will receive a letter from the national booking service and you can book an appointment at one of our large vaccination sites or community pharmacy services.

Cohort six includes people aged 16 to 64 with certain underlying health conditions and carers. They will be invited by their GP surgery for a vaccination appointment.

More details on our website: www.kentandmedwayccg.nhs.uk/covid19vaccine

More people to be asked to stay at home and shield

The Government has announced (16th February) that many more people, who may be at serious risk from Covid-19, will be asked to stay at home and shield.

New technology has allowed clinicians to identify people for whom a combination of factors puts them at greater risk from Covid-19.

If you are one of these people, you will be sent a letter from NHS England in the coming days with further advice.

If you are over 70, you will have already been invited for a covid vaccine, but adults aged between 19 and 69 years, who fall within the new group, will now be prioritised and invited to receive a Covid-19 vaccine as soon as possible.

Kent Together has information online about support available for people who are advised to shield or you can call 03000 41 92 92.

Medway Council has information online about support for people who are advised to shield or you can call 01634 333 103.

Free school meals

With schools operating differently due to the Covid pandemic, and many families financially worse off, your child (or grandchild) might now be eligible for free school meals due to a change in circumstance.

If your child is under 19 and in full-time education, you can check if you can get free school meals for them on Kent County Council's or Medway Council's website.

Read the full bulletin at >> http://bit.ly/3dwmI0g

NHS Kent and Medway Clinical Commissioning Group

Swale Borough Council - Local Plan Consultation Could be Extended Until the 30th of April

Councillors are being asked to extend Swale Borough Council’s local plan review consultation to Friday, 30th April.

The extension will be discussed at the upcoming full council meeting on Wednesday, 21st February 2021.

If approved, the additional 38 days will increase the total consultation period to almost 12 weeks.

Cllr Mike Baldock, deputy leader and cabinet member for planning, said:

“We are proud of the policies and innovative approaches proposed in the local plan review in response to the imposed Government housing targets.

“We have never before had to conduct a review of a local plan during a pandemic. Without the ability to hold face-to-face meetings and make draft documentation available in public places, running an effective and inclusive consultation is more difficult.

“We’re working to overcome these challenges the best way we can by holding virtual meetings, making the plan available on our website and mailing out hard copies to those who need them

“As a listening council, we want to respond positively to public requests for more time, and we are asking councillors to extend the consultation period to the 30th of April.

“We know it’s important for local people to have enough time to review the draft plan and put forward their representations, so we’ll be asking councillors to approve the extension to the consultation period at next week’s full council meeting.”

The consultation started on Monday, 8th February and the local plan review can be viewed on the council’s website here

With libraries and council offices closed due to the pandemic, it won’t be possible to provide physical copies of the plans at these locations. Hard copies, or extracts from documents, may be made available on request from: LPcomments@swale.gov.uk or by calling: 01795 417 014.

The full report can be viewed here

Swale Borough Council

Medway Council - Spring Events Cancelled

The English Festival at Riverside Country Park.

Medway’s spring festivals and events will not go ahead this year amidst the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Government restrictions on mass gatherings remain in place, with social distancing requirements anticipated for some time while the roll-out of the vaccine continues.

Medway Council has cancelled The English Festival, which would have been held in April, and May’s Rochester Sweeps Festival. Both events would usually attract large crowds of thousands of residents and visitors from outside of Medway, making social distancing almost impossible. There are currently no plans to reschedule these events.

Future events beyond the end of May 2021 will be kept under review by the council, as the government announces more information about its roadmap for recovery.

Cllr Howard Doe, Medway Council’s Portfolio Holder for Community Services, said:

“I know this will be disappointing news to many, but it’s important we continue to take measures to protect the health and well-being of our residents and staff. We are continuing to closely monitor government guidance and review other scheduled events planned for the year ahead.”

In the meantime, Medway Council is reminding other potential event organisers to think carefully before going ahead with plans for public gatherings and encouraging them not to jeopardise the wellbeing of the public.

Event organisers have a legal responsibility to ensure the necessary plans are in place to help keep the public safe. For advice and guidance when organising an event, contact the Medway Safety Advisory Group. For contact details and more information, visit: medway.gov.uk/organisingevents

Cllr Doe added: 

“We know how much everyone is looking forward to getting back to some sense of normality, but we would urge people to take caution to ensure Medway’s case rate does not rocket again. If you were thinking about organising or attending a spring event, such as a public Easter egg hunt, then please think again. The virus is still living amongst us and even those who have been vaccinated are at risk of spreading it to others. We are not out of the woods yet and everyone should continue to play their part to keep themselves and their loved ones safe, as well as protect our NHS.”

Medway Council and Kent Police are continuing to work closely together to offer guidance and advice to the public, including businesses, about the government restrictions and will not hesitate to issue fines to those caught breaking them.

Medway Council

Bicycle Stolen - Newington

Hartlip, Newington & Upchurch Ward

Crime Number: 46/25092/21

Between Monday the 15th and Tuesday the 16th of February, a bicycle was stolen from a garden shed in Merton Drive, Newington.

If you have any information that could help investigators please contact Kent Police on telephone number 101 and quote the relevant crime number above.

For more information on crime prevention visit: www.kent.police.uk

Kent Community Messaging

Emergency Road Closure - South Bush Lane, Rainham

It will be necessary to close South Bush Lane, Rainham from Thursday 18th February 2021 for up to 2 days.

The road will be closed from the junction with Meresborough Lane, for 1170 meters heading north on South Bush Lane.

The alternative route is via A2 London Road, Spade Lane and Meresborough Lane.

It is planned that the road will be closed between 09:30 hrs and 15:30 hrs each day.

This is to enable restoration of customers services to be carried out by BT Openreach.

Kent County Council 24hr Contact Centre: 03000 418181

For details of roadworks see: https://one.network

Kent County Council - Highways, Transportation & Waste