Haringey coronavirus (COVID-19) updates
Government suspends shielding
People who have been shielding during the Covid-19 pandemic have been told that they no longer need to do so, at least for the time-being.
The Government has said that from the beginning of August those who are “clinically extremely vulnerable” can go out.
That means they may:
- go to work if it is Covid-secure, but should carry on working from home wherever possible
- shielded children can return to school or nursery
- go outside but you should keep overall social interactions low
- go shopping and eat out while following social distancing rules
Please continue to wash your hands carefully and more frequently than usual and ensure that you maintain thorough cleaning of frequently touched areas in your home and workplace.
The changes mean that people who have been shielding will no longer receive free food parcels, medicine deliveries and basic care from the National Shielding Service.
However, you will still be able to get:
- local volunteer support which can be organised by Haringey Council
- prescriptions, essential items and food you buy delivered by NHS Volunteer Responders
- priority slots for supermarket deliveries (if you previously registered for free food parcels)
This guidance may change if the number of cases goes up.
Pick up Ready Reads at your local library now
With the summer holidays on and school libraries closed, you may need help finding suitable reading material to keep the kids busy.
Haringey libraries are offering Ready Reads, a selection of books chosen by our librarians based on your tastes. All you have to do is tell us what you or your children enjoy reading. You can’t request specific authors or individual books, but give us some tips and we will do our best to choose a batch of books that we think will be to your liking.
There are six books in each pack and one pack is available per library card.
You can order your Ready Reads by completing this Ready Reads online form or by calling us on 020 8489 2700, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.
Ready Reads is available in all Haringey libraries, except Coombes Croft, Hornsey and Marcus Garvey Libraries, which remain closed. We will provide further updates on the opening of all three libraries as soon as they are available.
We also have Haringey Story Time and Rhyme Time to entertain your children – videos of children’s book readings and nursery rhyme singalongs are available here.
Keeping safe in the hot weather
For most the chance to enjoy some summer sunshine will come as a welcome relief.
But we know some people may find themselves indoors because of the pandemic.
And just because people are not out in the sun, it does not mean they won’t feel the effects of the soaring temperatures.
It’s important to check that older friends, family and neighbours are coping during the hot weather, but you’ll need to do things differently this summer.
Keep in touch over the phone and follow the Public Health England’s guidance on how to safely care for others to help us #BeattheHeat.
So please, keep an eye out for anyone who may be indoors over the next few because they are:
• Limiting contact with others due to a high risk of a severe illness.
• Self-isolating because they or someone in their household has a coronavirus infection or have been in contact with someone.
• Recovering at home following severe illness.
People most at risk are:
• Older age: especially those over 75 years old, or who are socially isolated.
• Chronically ill: including those with heart or lung conditions, diabetes, renal insufficiency, Parkinson’s disease, or severe mental illness.
• On certain medications, including those that affect sweating and temperature control (for example, diuretics, antihistamines, beta-blockers and antipsychotics).
• Unable to adapt behaviour to keep cool: for example, the very young, those with a disability or bed bound, or have dementia.
• Those living or working in places with high temperatures: living in a top floor flat, being homeless, activities or jobs that are in hot places or outdoors and include high levels of physical exertion.
Advice for keeping healthy:
• Drink plenty of fluids and avoid excess alcohol.
• Open windows when the air feels cooler outside; cover windows exposed to direct sunlight.
• Slow down when it is hot.
• Cool your skin with water using a wet sponge or flannel.
• Stay connected and listen to the weather forecast.
• Dress appropriately for the weather.
• Follow the government’s advice about how to protect yourself and others from COVID-19.
You can find more information about how to #BeattheHeat by checking Public Health England’s website.
See also case numbers and rates, health advice - including tests and vaccines, Council service updates, financial and other support for residents, business support, how you can help and COVID scams and misinformation.
Visit the Gov.UK and NHS websites for more help and support.
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