Friday 14 May 2021
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.
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Further information is available from www.rotherham.gov.uk/coronavirus
From Monday 17 May 2021, there will be further easing of Lockdown Restrictions as part of the Government’s Road Map.
While many of you will be glad to meet with family and friends indoors and outdoors, it is still important that everyone helps to stop the spread of coronavirus by following best practice such as observing social distancing and wearing face coverings when they are in public spaces.
If you are meeting with friends or family, there are ways you can minimise the risk of spreading COVID-19 by keeping close contact down to a minimum, opening windows to allow good ventilation, and washing your hands and cleaning surfaces regularly.
Here are the changes from Monday:
- You can meet with up to 6 people or 2 households indoors.
- Outdoor gatherings will be limited to 30 people.
- Indoor hospitality can reopen with table service only.
- Indoor entertainment venues such as cinemas, museums, bowling alleys, cinemas, and children’s play areas will be able to reopen.
- All hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen and can be used by groups of up to 6 or 2 households.
- Organised indoor sport will be able to take place for all, including gym classes.
- Up to 30 people will be able to attend weddings, receptions and wakes. This limit will also apply to other types of significant life events including bar mitzvahs and christenings.
- Funerals will no longer be limited to 30 people but will be determined by how many people the COVID-secure venue can safely accommodate with social distancing.
- The rules for care home residents visiting will allow up to five named visitors (two at any one time), provided visitors test negative for COVID-19.
- There will no longer be a legal restriction or permitted reason required to travel internationally. There will be a traffic light system for international travel, and you must follow the rules when returning to England depending on whether you return from a red, amber or green list country.
- The Government will also allow some larger performances and sporting events in indoor venues with restrictions in place.
Libraries update
Eleven of Rotherham’s Libraries are open including: Aston, Brinsworth, Dinnington, Greasbrough, Kiveton, Maltby, Mowbray Gardens, Rawmarsh, Swinton, Thorpe Hesley, and Thurcroft.
Riverside House Library and Kimberworth are open for Order & Collect only.
The following libraries will remain closed due to refurbishments: Wath and Wickersley libraries.
The following changes will be in place for reopening due to COVID-19 restrictions:
- Temporary revised opening hours means sites will open 30 minutes later and where sites exceed a 5:30pm closure time, will close at 5:30pm;
- All sites will close for one hour over lunch time; (sites to close at their normal lunchtimes where applicable and the rest will close for lunch 1.00pm-2.00pm)Sites will limit the amount of people in the library at any one time; (posters will be displayed)
- The use of the hand sanitiser at the entrance is encouraged and a face mask must be worn upon entry (unless exempt).
- Libraries will be operating a track and trace system; (where customers have a smartphone we ask that you scan on the QR poster) A one-way system will be in operation and two-metre social distancing must be observed; There will be a limited service available to begin with to ensure the risk of cross contamination and help minimise the spread of Covid-19;
- Limited use of PCs and will require a 2 hour maximum pre booked slot; (this can be booked on the self serve machine or contacting the library to book a PC)
- Returned items must be dropped in the relevant box or at the self-service machine where staff will quarantine for 72 hours;
- Printing and photocopying facilities
See latest information on library openings and Order and Collect service
The rate of cases of COVID-19 in Rotherham has stabilised this week and is currently at 38.8 per 100,000 with 103 cases in the borough in the last week. This remains above the England average rate of 22.1 per 100,000. Cases remain predominantly in the unvaccinated cohorts of secondary aged children and younger adults. Vaccination is not only helping to keep people safe from harm, but it is also reducing transmission and enabling us to keep the case rate lower and to continue the easing of restrictions.
Despite the emergence of the ‘Indian’ variant across the country, vaccination is still showing good effects. As the local rate remains higher than the national average and with highly transmissible variants, it is really important that we continue to follow the current guidance, meeting outside where virus transmission is reduced and by getting vaccinated as soon as you are offered your chance.
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As of 8am on Wednesday 12 May, there were 6 inpatients in Rotherham Hospital who have tested positive for Covid-19, of which none were in critical care. This brings the total number of inpatients who have tested positive since the start of the pandemic to 2,571.
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Restrictions at our Household Waste Recycling Centres are changing from Monday 17 May to allow more visitors on site and help reduce queuing times.
Since last year the number of vehicles allowed to unload at the sites has been significantly reduced due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Traffic management has been in place to prevent the risk of queuing traffic causing a safety issue to the roads outside the sites.
From Monday up to 30 people will be allowed at the sites at once, and visitors to the sites are encouraged to wear face coverings and maintain social distancing while unloading their waste. Traffic management will be removed and will only be brought back if safety issues arise.
- Greasbrough – Car Hill, S61 4QL
- Bramley – Lidget Lane, S65 4LY
- Rawmarsh – Warren Vale, S62 7SS
- North Anston – Magilla, Common Road, S25 4AH
All sites are open 7 days a week, 10am to 6.30pm.
Collect your rapid tests from your local library!
You can collect rapid lateral flow test kits from Rotherham Libraries from Monday 17 May. All you need to do is pop into your local open library and ask for your tests from the reception or entrance.
You can collect them from the following libraries:
- Aston
- Kimberworth
- Kiveton
- Maltby
- Mowbray Gardens
- Rawmarsh
- Swinton
- Thorpe Hesley (available from Tuesday 18 May)
- Thurcroft
Each test kit comes with seven tests and a booklet which tells you how to do your test and how to record your results.
If you need help or advice, contact our Lateral Flow Test centre via email at LFTtestcentre@rotherham.gov.uk.
We’ve created a new video about the lateral flow test support at our community test site at the Unity Centre so you know what to expect when you visit.
The Unity Centre is open every Tuesday and Friday from 8:45am – 3:15pm for anyone over the age of 16. The test centre will also be closed between 12:30pm and 1:00pm for lunch break.
No booking is required, but you may be asked to queue at busy times.
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