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Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we will now be providing regular email updates for residents to let you know about the latest information we have and any changes to local services that may be affected.
If you do not wish to receive these updates please click on “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the page.
You can check the latest information on our website at any time by going to https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus
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Local libraries launch book order and collect service
A new ‘Order and Collect’ service will be available at 11 Rotherham Council libraries from next Monday, 3rd August, as the first stage of a phased re-opening of libraries in the borough.
If you are interested in a particular author or title, you can search the online Library catalogue to see if the book or books you want are on the shelf at the library of your choice, and then fill out the form on our website or call the branch to place an order for collection from that site.
Library staff will then agree a date and time for people to come to the library to you to come and pick up the books. This will help in managing queues safely and in line with social distancing requirements.
The Order and Collect service will be available from the following libraries:
- Riverside House
- Maltby
- Dinnington
- Aston
- Wickersley
- Swinton
- Wath
- Brinsworth
- Greasbrough
- Rawmarsh
- Thorpe Hesley
Mowbray Gardens, Kiveton Park, and Kimberworth Libraries will remain closed for the time being whilst improvement work is carried out as part of the £7 million investment programme announced by the Council earlier this year. Thurcroft Library will remain temporarily closed.
For more details and to use the order and collect service, visit the libraries section on the Council’s Libraries website at https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/libraries . Alternatively you can email or telephone your local library for more information.
The Libraries website is also home to a wide range of online resources, including access to e-books and e-magazines.
Exemptions from new mandatory face covering rules
The wearing of face coverings is now mandatory in enclosed public spaces such as shops, supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, indoor transport hubs, banks, post offices and on public transport.
However, many people are exempt, including those with visible and hidden disabilities. While people with hearing difficulties, who rely partially or completely on lip reading, will struggle to communicate with those wearing coverings.
Please be patient and understand that while there are benefits for all of us in the wider use of face coverings, it can make life more difficult for some people and/or is not an option for them.
Government advice is that you do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to. This includes (but is not limited to):
- young children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommended face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
- not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
- if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
- if you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
- to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others
- to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you
- to eat or drink if reasonably necessary
- in order to take medication
- if a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering
There are also scenarios when you are permitted to remove a face covering when asked:
- if asked to do so in a bank, building society, or post office for identification
- if asked to do so by shop staff or relevant employees for identification, the purpose of assessing health recommendations, such as a pharmacist, or for age identification purposes including when buying age restricted products such as alcohol
- if speaking with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound. Some may ask you, either verbally or in writing, to remove a covering to help with communication
People are not required to prove they are exempt and it is for individuals to choose how they would want to let other people know that they are.
However, for people who would feel more comfortable showing something that says they do not have to wear a face covering, exemption cards are available to print out or show on a mobile phone, using the link below:
Shielding guidance set to change from Friday
The Government has indicated that the requirement for some vulnerable people to shield will be paused from this Friday (1st August) unless the transmission of Covid-19 in the community starts to rise significantly.
This is subject to final confirmation.
If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you should have received a letter advising you to shield, or have been told by your GP or hospital clinician directly to shield.
If you fall into this group you may still be at risk of severe illness if you contracted Covid-19, so even after Friday it is still advised that you stay at home as much as you can and continue to take precautions when they do go out, such as regular hand washing, avoiding touching their face and keeping 2 metres away from peoplenot from their household / bubble wherever possible.
From 1 August, they will be advised they can go out to more places and see more people, including:
- go to work, as long as the workplace is COVID-secure – but carry on working from home if possible
- children who are clinically extremely vulnerable can go back to school (when the rest of their class goes back)
- go out to buy food, to places of worship and for exercise – keeping 2 metres away wherever possible
Comprehensive guidance is available on the Government’s Covid-19 website about what’s changing, according to the different clinically vulnerable and extremely clinical vulnerable groups people fall into.
This also includes the latest advice for other clinically vulnerable people, including if you’re 70 or older, pregnant or usually need a flu jab for underlying medical conditions.
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People returning to the UK from Spain (including the Spanish islands) now need to self-isolate for 2 weeks.
The Government announced at the weekend that Spain was being removed from the ‘travel corridors’ list, following a significant increase in the level and pace of change in confirmed Covid-19 cases in parts of the country.
The Foreign Office is advising against all non-essential travel to Spain. Initially this applied to mainland Spain only, but has now been extended to cover Spanish islands, including popular holiday destinations such as Majorca, Ibiza, Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
The government is urging employers to be understanding of those returning from Spain who now will need to self-isolate.
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Celebrating Eid safely
With Eid al-Adha due to be celebrated by Muslims across the world from Thursday evening, the Government has updated its places of worship guidance to help support Mosques to put appropriate safety measures in place.
At home, people are advised to limit risks around the transmission of the virus. Those risks increase whenever households mix.
If you have family members who do not normally live with you they need to be treated as a separate household.
This advice applies when you are marking any religious festival or family celebration:
- Try to meet as few people from outside your household as possible
- Groups of up to two households (a household means those who live together or are in a support bubble together) can meet socially in any location or a group of up to six people from more households can meet outdoors.
- Wash your hands frequently and keep 2 metres apart from people outside your own household or bubble, even in other people’s homes.
- Any food being shared should be pre-wrapped, and prevent friends and family from using any dishes and cutlery other than their own.
- Family visits to a grave should follow the social distancing rules, keeping 2 metres apart between different households outdoors or indoors.
Rotherham residents urged to follow water safety advice
There are concerns about an increasing number of young people and young adults meeting, swimming and behaving anti-socially at several local lakes and rivers, inclusing Waverley Lake, Ulley Country Park and Treeton Dyke.
The Council is working alongside the Police and Fire Service to raise awareness of water safety, engage with those involved and take enforcement action if necessary.
Every year across the UK and Ireland, around 700 people lose their lives in a water-related incident. Most of the incidents are completely avoidable.
Drowning accidents are especially high in the summer months.
Please help to avoid another tragic summer this year by sharing the following water safety advice:, especially with your children or other young people and young adults you know.
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