Staying Safe
A national lockdown is now in place to control the spread of Covid-19 as rates rapidly increase across London and the country.
Everyone must now stay at home, and only leave home for specific reasons.
Full details of what you can and cannot do are available on the Government’s website.
Places of worship are permitted to stay open and information on the safe use of places of worship can be found online.
Covid-19 infections are rising fast in Tower Hamlets and the rest of the country. There is plenty of testing capacity to meet local demand and testing options for both people with symptoms and people without symptoms.
If you have symptoms
Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19 (a new or continuous cough, a high temperature or a change to/loss in normal sense of smell or taste) should book a test online through the national system or call 119.
Tower Hamlets residents will be offered an appointment at the closest testing site to them. In Tower Hamlets there are local testing sites in Shadwell, Mile End and Isle of Dogs. There is also a mobile testing unit near Canary Wharf and other temporary sites. Appointments at all these sites are available through the national system.
If you have no symptoms
Covid Rapid Testing – Lateral Flow Tests
Rapid Covid-19 tests are one of the tools being used to help to detect and fight Covid-19.
Research shows that one in three people who have Covid-19 never show any symptoms, but that does not mean they are not infectious. These tests can help identify people with high levels of virus who do not have symptoms.
The rapid Covid-19 tests, known as Lateral Flow Tests, can give results than the standard test. Your results are normally available within one hour. If you test positive you will be directed to get a standard test at a different test centre to confirm the result.
You should take up the offer of free and regular rapid Covid-19 tests, even if you have no symptoms. Quick and regular testing can help protect you and those you live with.
There are two rapid testing sites in Tower Hamlets:
- Ecology Pavilion, Mile End Park, E3 5TW. The Ecology Pavilion is a walk-up rapid test site.
- 96 Burcham Street, Poplar, E14 0SH. 96 Burcham Street is an appointment-only site and to attend, residents must book an appointment online beforehand.
Both sites are open 10am to 7pm.
Keep Tower Hamlets Safe is Tower Hamlets Council’s plan that covers the measures and procedures that will be taken if there is another Covid-19 outbreak.
Tower Hamlets Food Appeal
Tower Hamlets Council has launched an emergency food appeal on behalf of 31 food banks and food providers in the borough amid the ongoing challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.
The appeal, which is asking partners, business and residents for financial donations, is in response to the huge increase in the number of people needing help with food over the course of the pandemic. Many local food providers have reached crisis point and will be unable to continue supporting vulnerable residents without urgent support.
Since the start of the pandemic, Tower Hamlets Council has distributed 190 tonnes of food to those who needed it and invested £950,000through its resident support scheme. Despite this the need is greater than ever this year.
