National lockdown: Key public health message to Camden residents
As a result of rapidly rising cases of coronavirus, increased hospital admissions and increased strain on the NHS, on Monday 4 January 2021 the Prime Minister introduced an immediate national lockdown. This legally requires everyone to stay at home – the single most important thing everyone can do to control the spread of the virus, save lives and protect the NHS.
Camden residents must stay at home at all times unless leaving the house for a legally permitted reason:
- to shop for basic necessities, including shopping for a vulnerable person
- to go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, but only if you cannot reasonably do so from home
- to exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day and you should not travel outside your local area.
- to meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are allowed to form one
- to seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm, including domestic abuse
- to attend education or childcare if eligible – see below
Other restrictions include:
- You must work from home if you can
- You must not socialise indoors or outdoors with anyone you don’t live with or are not in a support bubble with
- You must only travel for a permitted reason and walk or cycle where possible
- Clinically extremely vulnerable residents are once again asked to shield at home.
- You can only leave the house to exercise once a day, either by yourself, with your household or with one other person at a 2 metre social distance.
- All primary and secondary schools will close to all pupils aside from children of key workers and vulnerable children, until at least after February half term, and move to online and remote learning. Nurseries and early years services will remain open.
You can view the new public health measures, which apply until at least the middle of February, in full, on the Government website.
My clear and heartfelt message to Camden residents is to please stay at home wherever possible. Coronavirus cases are very high in Camden so residents have a much higher risk of catching it than previously. This is a dangerous situation that requires every one of us to play a part - we continue to see rising infection levels and hospitalisations in London putting the NHS under huge strain.
“The news of a lockdown is heartbreaking for so many residents already struggling. Despite the fatigue we all feel, we must continue to follow the public health advice - keep a two-metre social distance from anyone outside of your household, regularly wash your hands and wear a face covering - to save lives and protect each other. The last year saw so much pain but it also saw extraordinary generosity and community spirit. I know Camden will come together again to get us through a difficult winter.
"Another lockdown will bring great anxiety for many residents – concerns about their child’s education or childcare, money worries or for people separated for a further amount of time from loved ones. I can assure you that Camden and our communities are here to support you through this at this difficult time. We will work closely with our family of schools to ensure all our children continue to get the best education possible and a greater rollout of digital devices, and together with our voluntary and community sector, we will support sections of our community facing food poverty, hardship and isolation. We will also be clear with the national Government that more resources will be needed to deliver vital local services and support our businesses struggling to survive. We will do everything in our power to support the vaccine rollout, which gives us real hope for much brighter times in the months ahead.
“Thank you to all Camden residents who are making sacrifices to stop the spread of the virus and to every single person on the front line working to keep us safe.
Do you need support?
If you’re worried about anything – including self-isolating, your housing situation, accessing a business grant, your finances, home-schooling your children or your mental health – please contact the Council for advice and support. You can call 020 7974 4444 (option 9) or go to our website.
Got symptoms? Self-isolate and get a free test
Coronavirus symptoms are:
- a new, continuous cough;
- high temperature;
- loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste.
If you develop symptoms, however mild, you must self-isolate to prevent you passing it on. This means not leaving home at all.
To book a free test go to nhs.uk/coronavirus or call 119. Alternatively, if you need help, you can book an appointment at the Ramsay Hall test site (W1T 5HB, no step-free access) directly with Camden Council by calling 020 7974 4444 (option 9).
Follow public health advice to help prevent you catching or passing on coronavirus
- Wear a face covering in indoor public spaces and busy outdoor spaces, unless you’re exempt
- Wash your hands regularly and thoroughly
- Keep 2 metres apart from people you don’t live with
National lockdown restrictions are due to last until at least mid-February. For more information, go to the Government website.