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
.Infections fall but Rotherham still ‘area of concern’
There has been a sharp decline in the rate of Covid-19 infections recorded in Rotherham, despite enhanced testing in the borough.
The 7-day infection rate, published weekly by NHS England shows rates fell by more than half, from 23.8 per 100,000 to 11.3 per 100,000 last week. This is due to a fall in the number of positive cases recorded in Rotherham, from 65 to 30.
But Rotherham is still rated as an ‘area of concern’ by the Government. Although this is the lowest of three escalation categories and relates to the level of infection in the community, it reminds us how vital it is that we all continue to do the basics right:
- Keep 2 metres apart whenever possible
- Wash your hands often
- Get tested immediately if you have symptoms, however mild
- Wear a face covering when required.
NHS Covid-19 data
.Got mild symptoms? Get tested immediately
In order to tackle our infection rate and Keep Rotherham Open, we are actively encouraging anyone with symptoms, however mild, or with any cause for concern, to get tested as soon as possible.
Test appointments can be arranged online or by calling 119. You can order a home-testing kit or attend the drive-through site at Midland Road, Masborough, or the new walk-in site at Forge Island.
Appointments are preferred at Forge Island and face-coverings must be worn.
The test itself takes less than a minute, is free of charge and painless. Test results are returned the next day.
If you receive a positive test result or have symptoms, you must self-isolate at home for 10 days from the start of symptoms. Anyone you have been in contact with should also self-isolate for 14 days, even if they get a negative test result as they may still be incubating the infection.
People testing positive will be asked to provide contact details of anyone they know they have been in close contact with so that the NHS Track and Trace team can get in touch with them to advise them to self-isolate.
Advice and support for anyone with concerns about self-isolating is available through the Rotherham Community Hub.
Further information on getting tested
Order and collect a book from your local library
Our new ‘Order and Collect’ service from local libraries is now available.
Customers can now search the online Library catalogue of thousands of titles, place an order for the book or books of their choice by phone or online and fix-up a time to collect it from their local library.
The service is only available for library members, but if you’re not currently a member, joining is also simple, using the website.
The following 11 libraries are taking part in the scheme, which is the first stage in the phased re-opening of local 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 our £7 million investment programme. Thurcroft Library remains temporarily closed.
For more details and to use the order and collect service online, use the link below. Alternatively you can email or telephone your local library for more information (click on the library name above for contact details).
Rotherham Libraries Order & Collect service
Are you taking advantage of the big meal deal?
Scores of Rotherham restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes are taking part in the Eat Out to Help Out scheme, which went live yesterday.
The scheme aims to give a boost to the hopitality industry by providing a 50% discount on food or non-alcoholic drinks to eat or drink in (up to a maximum of £10 discount per person) at participating venues every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday until 31st August.
Customers don’t need a voucher to get the discount – it will be automatically deducted from the bill.
The venue will then claim a reimbursement from the government for the discount they’ve given to the customer.
Just in Rotherham town centre, the following businesses are taking part:
- Churchills Bistro, All Saints’ Square
- McDonalds, Bridgegate
- The Plaice To Be, Bridgegate
- Interchange Cafe, College Walk
- Ginge’s Snap, Eastwood Lane
- Guests Tea Room, High Street
- The Bluecoat, The Crofts
- George Wright Boutique Hotel, Bar and Restaurant, The Crofts (Snail Hill)
- Pantry Green, Red Lion Yard
- Corner Cafe, Rotherham Indoor Market
- Rajas, Wellgate
- Sabirs Grill, Westgate
Opening times may vary. Please contact each business for more details.
For further details about the scheme and to enter your postcode to find participating venues in your part of the borough, click the button below.
Find local eateries that are participating
Face coverings to become mandatory at more locations
From this Saturday, 8th August, it will become mandatory for people to wear a face-covering at more indoor locations where they are likely to mix with others such as libraries, museums, galleries, places of worship and cinemas.
This will be in addition to the exisiting requirement to wear face coverings in shops, supermarkets, indoor shopping centres, indoor bus and railway stations, airports and on public transport.
Click the button below for a full list of the places where wearing face coverings will be mandatory from this weekend:
Where to wear face coverings
Government presses ahead with pause in shielding advice
Shielding guidance for the clinically extremely vulnerable was paused from Saturday.
Those who have been shielding over the course of the pandemic will no longer be advised to do so, and can begin to go back to work and school as long as the sites are COVID-secure.
The Government have said they based this decision on scientific evidence showing that the average incidence across the country remains lower now than the point when the decision was made to proceed with the pausing of shielding nationally.
Clinically extremely vulnerable – updated advice
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.
