Thursday 17th December 2020
Residents Bulletin
Due to the impact of the coronavirus (COVID-19), we are providing regular email updates to let you know about the latest information we have on local and national measures to contain the virus, any changes to local services and support that’s available.
If you do not wish to receive these updates please click on “unsubscribe” at the bottom of the page.
Further information is available from www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus
Click on the image above to view the video message
VIDEO: Leader reflects on tier 3 restrictions and vaccine
The Leader of Rotherham Council, Councillor Chris Read has reflected on the Government’s decision to retain Tier 3 Covid restrictions in Rotherham, arrangements for Christmas and the first Covid vaccinations in the borough.
Click here to view his video message on Rotherham Council’s YouTube channel.
Rotherham to remain under Tier 3 restrictions
Rotherham remains in tier 3 Covid restrictions
The Government has announced that Rotherham is to remain under Tier 3 – Very High Covid restrictions.
This means that many hospitality venues including pubs, restaurants, hotels and indoor entertainment such as cinemas and bingo halls must remain closed.
Under tier 3 restrictions people should must not mix with people from outside their own household or support bubble socially – either indoors or in many outdoor places. This includes in any private garden and most outdoor venues.
People can meet others in a group of no more than 6 people at some outdoor public spaces, such as parks or heritage sites – this is called the ‘rule of 6’. But even if you are meeting others in public outdoor spaces, caution is still adviced and social distancing must be used at all times.
View the full guidance and all the new restrictions for Tier 3 areas.
There are also some frequently asked questions about tier 3 restrictions available on the Council’s website, which we will continue to update, including answers to questions about how the Christmas bubbles work.
Why Tier 3 for Rotherham?
The Government has based its decision on which areas to place in each tier on five key indicators:
- case detection rates in all age groups
- case detection rates in the over-60s
- the rate at which cases are rising or falling
- positivity rate (the number of positive cases detected as a percentage of tests taken)
- pressure on the NHS, including current and projected occupancy
The regulations mean the Government will review the tier allocations for each area at least every 14 days.
Infection rate beginning to rise again in Rotherham
Rotherham had made significant progress in reducing the rate since the peak at the end of October, but infection rates have started to rise again in the last few days.
Infection rates in Rotherham currently stand at 234 per 100,000, which is similar to the rate two weeks ago when Rotherham was first placed in tier 3. Rotherham’s rate has worsened over the last few days and is also now the highest in Yorkshire.
Sadly, the number of people in hospital with and dying from Covid still remains high in Rotherham.
Tom is first Rotherham resident to receive Covid vaccine
The COVID-19 vaccination programme started in Rotherham this week as 94-year old Tom Drury-Smith from Todwick, became the first Rotherham resident to receive the ground-breaking vaccine at his local GP-led vaccination service.
Tom received his first dose of the life-saving COVID-19 vaccine on Tuesday, thanks to the huge effort across the NHS to protect people from the virus.
The NHS and its partners across Rotherham have been working hard to develop safe and effective ways to deliver a small amount of vaccines that will be available this week.
Groups of GP practices, known as Primary Care Networks (PCNs), are setting up local vaccination services across Rotherham to start vaccinating those aged 80 and over, as well as other residents identified in high-priority groups, on a phased basis during December and then in the coming months.
It’s really important that you do not to contact your GP surgery, hospital or NHS service about the vaccine, so as not to overwhelm them at what is already an extremely busy time.
The NHS in Rotherham will contact people in the high-priority groups when it is their turn to receive the vaccine.
Click the image to see the full list of business support packages available
We are urging local businesses to check if they are entitled to Covid-19 financial support.
A raft of different grants are available to businesses that have been affected either directly or indirectly by the pandemic. New schemes have been added recently, so businesses are being encouraged to check what’s available, even if they weren’t eligible for support from previous grant schemes.
The latest package to be added is a new discretionary grant for small and micro Rotherham businesses (less than 49 employees), for businesses who have been affected by Covid-19 but have not been entitled to previous support. This includes businesses registered too recently to qualify for central government support, as well as some people who are freelance, self-employed, mobile businesses or operating from home.
Other schemes are available for:
- businesses paying rent or rates that were forced to close by tier 2, tier 3 or national lockdown restrictions
- businesses paying rent or rates whose trade was directly impacted by tier 2, tier 3 and national lockdown restrictions
- businesses paying rent or rates that form the supply chain of those sectors directly impacted by tier 2, 3 and national lockdown restrictions (scheme now extended to 7th January)
- licensed taxi drivers.
- “Wet” pubs
We want to make sure that all business that have been affected get the support they need. If you think your business is eligible you can apply at https://www.rotherham.gov.uk/covid-business-grants
Length of funeral services to be reduced in New Year
From Monday 4th January 2021, East Herringthorpe Crematorium will be reducing service times in the crematorium chapel to 30 minutes and at a reduced cost of £775 per service.
This change is being made to create greater capacity for an increase in demand.
Webcasting is available free of charge to enable those who cannot attend to be part of the service, please request the webcast through your funeral director in advance of the service.
Burial services do not take place in the crematorium chapel at present and are either taking place elsewhere or at the grave side. These remain unchanged with regard to service length and cost.
For all funerals across the Borough please continue to follow social distancing, wear a face covering and please do not exceed 30 mourners in attendance. Excess numbers can result in the service being postponed and the police called to attend.
Christmas opening hours and emergency cover
|
