Thursday 2 July 2020
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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Play your part – help keep Rotherham open
With national lockdown measures easing further from this weekend, it’s still essential that everyone continues to play their part. If we don’t, more restrictions will need to return.
The additional freedoms we will get back from 4th July come with additional responsibility.
To help keep Rotherham open it’s more important than ever that:
- We keep two metres apart whenever it is possible
- We wash our hands well and often
- We self isolate and request a test immediately we begin to show covid-19 symptoms. The same goes for your child or someone else you care for
Please follow these simple steps and help to protect loved ones too by sharing the message with family, friends and on social media.
Coronavirus information from the NHS
Response to media coverage on weekly Covid-19 cases
Rotherham’s Director of Public Health, Teresa Roche has responded to media coverage yesterday about areas in the country with relatively high covid-19 infections rates.
She said: “You will have seen in the news that Leicester has been placed back into stricter lockdown measures, and that other places have been highlighted as having relatively high Covid-19 rates of infection. Rotherham has been one of the towns mentioned in some of these news stories, but it is important for me to reassure you that recent rates of infection in Rotherham are far lower than those in Leicester.
“However, we cannot be complacent and we want to see the rates reduce further.
“With that in mind, we continue to emphasise the importance of keeping a safe distance and of hand washing, especially with an eye on this weekend when pubs and restaurants begin to reopen. The Council will be promoting more communications to this effect over the coming days and weeks.
“As all other councils are doing, we are following our Local Outbreak Control Plan.”
Pubs and restaurants prepare to re-open on Saturday
As many pubs and restaurants prepare to re-open from this weekend, visitors are being told to expect a very different experience to the one prior to lockdown.
Licensed premises are only permitted to open if they have carried out a risk assessment in relation to the spread of Coronavirus, and have introduced measures to control the risks on their premises.
These measures are designed to keep customers and staff safe – please ensure you follow any instructions that they give you, so that everybody can enjoy their night out and stay safe.
Due to social distancing requirements, it is likely they will be operating at a lower capacity than usual.
The Council’s Licensing officers will be working with South Yorkshire Police and Community Protection Unit this weekend across the borough to assess the levels of compliance and provide advice and guidance to licencees. Formal action will be taken where appropriate.
If you plan to go out for a drink or a meal remember to wash your hands regularly while you’re out and always keep a safe distance between you and those from different households.
It’s vital that you don’t head out if you’re showing any symptoms. Self-isolate and book a test as soon as possible by calling 119.
Rotherham Show to return in 2021
Unfortunately, Covid-19 has made it impossible to hold this year’s Rotherham Show safely.
The annual event which attracts tens of thousands of people to Clifton Park, is one the biggest of its kind anywhere in the country. However, regulations currently prevent events and mass gatherings, and with many vendors, stall holders and artists either on furlough or furloughing staff, we are unable to hold this year’s event.
Instead we’re working with our partners on a series of smaller, cultural events, which will include online content for people to engage with from their homes, through the course of the year as restrictions are lifted.
More details will be announced in due course – and we’re already planning for the 2021 Rotherham Show on 11th and 12th Septembernext year.
Watch our video for more information:
Video: The 2020 Rotherham Show
Working towards re-opening our libraries
The Prime Minister’s announcement about the easing of lockdown measures on 4th Julyincluded provision for the re-opening of libraries, museums and some other council-run buildings, where it was safe to do so.
We are currently working up detailed plans for the phased re-opening of some of our facilities. Unfortunately we will not be in a position to re-open any of our libraries or museums from 4th July.
Following Government guidance will require changes to the way we normally operate, staff training and some adaptation of our buildings so that they are safe for you and our staff.
We will provide an update on these plans as soon as we are able.
Our Library service is continuing to operate online, as well delivering services to customers via its Facebook page.
Rotherham Libraries online
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2021 Secondary School applications now open
Parents of Rotherham children born between 1st September 2009 and 31st August 2010 can now apply for a secondary school place, using our school admissions website.
Parents will be recieving a formal letter explaining how they can apply in the next few days, setting out arrangements for the admission of children moving from primary to secondary school in September 2021 and explainng how to apply for their preferred schools.
The closing date for applications is 31st Octoberthis year.
Access the admissions website, which includes a guide to the process for parents and carers, by clicking on the link below.
Secondary School admissions website
Getting in touch…
During this challenging time please, where possible and appropriate, use our online services rather than calling via telephone. We’re receiving a high level of calls daily and want to ensure we’re able to answer urgent calls regarding vulnerable residents and our front line services.
