Coronavirus cases are rising rapidly across the country, below you can find local and national guidance to help you and your loved ones stay safe.

In this update

• Haringey Covid-19 update
  • Current situation in the borough
  • London Major Incident
  • Lockdown restrictions
  • Local support for the Clinically Extremely Vulnerable
• Covid-19 testing in Haringey (including test sites)
  • If you have symptoms
  • If you do not have symptoms
• Vaccines and vaccinations
• Schools in Haringey
• Haringey Digital Divide Appeal
• Library services during lockdown
• Park facilities during lockdown
• Parking enforcement
• Support for those experiencing domestic abuse
• Mental health support
• Local food banks
• National lockdown guidance
  • For those who are well
  • For households with possible or confirmed infections
  • National lockdown guidance for those who are shielding
• Get in touch

Haringey Covid-19 update

Current situation in the borough

52,618 new cases of COVID-19 were recorded in the UK on Thursday 7th January. There were 2,745 new cases in Haringey in the seven days up to 9th of January.

Find out more about Covid-19 cases in Haringey here: https://www.haringey.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/covid-19-local-outbreak-management-plan/covid-19-cases-haringey

Our 7-day rate per 100,000 is 1022 for the week up to 9th of January– up from 270 before Christmas.

Our 7-day positivity rate (the percentage of tests taken that are positive for Covid) is 29% – which is also an increase from 10% before Christmas. This shows that the increase in cases is real and not as a result of more testing.

Over the past week cases have continued to rise in Haringey, as well as overall in London and England. 1 in 30 people in London now have COVID-19, and London remains the region with the highest cases in England, with Haringey above the London average.

Given the worrying levels of the virus in the city, we implore our residents to continue to follow lockdown measures in order to keep themselves, families and friends safe, curb the spread of the virus, and prevent further hospital admissions and deaths in the coming weeks.

We are seeing high numbers of patients admitted to hospital with COVID-19 locally and across the capital, which is putting increasing pressure on the NHS. In light of this, the UK COVID-19 alert level has been increased from level 4 to level 5, which means there is a material risk of healthcare services being overwhelmed.

Although the NHS is under immense pressure, it is critical that people still attend for emergency care, when it is needed.

You can see more information in Dr Will Maimaris’s weekly briefing – https://www.haringey.gov.uk/social-care-and-health/health/covid-19-local-outbreak-management-plan/covid-19-cases-haringey#local-cases-live

London Major Incident

On Friday 8th January the Mayor of London has declared a ‘Major Incident’ in London “because the threat this virus poses to our city is at crisis point. If we do not take immediate action now, our NHS could be overwhelmed and more people will die.”

The Mayor has made asks for government:

1. Additional support on self-isolation (financial).
2. publication of daily vaccination data
3. Pausing of communal worship
4. pushing for expansion of use of face coverings (e.g. outside in High Streets)

You can read his full statement here – https://www.london.gov.uk/press-releases/mayoral/hospitals-at-risk-of-being-overwhelmed-in-capital

Lockdown restrictions

The full guidance on national lockdown restrictions can be seen here – https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

Many of the rules are not substantially different from those within Tier 4, except for the closure of schools and further restrictions on hospitality, particularly the selling of alcohol; and on recreation. However, there is a clear change of emphasis in communications with a return to the clear to the Stay at Home message. Residents should now only leave the house for small number of specified reasons including exercise, to seek medical attention including getting a Covid test, to go to work where it cannot be done from home, or to escape abuse. The full list is – here

The police that have the legal powers and duty to enforce lockdown rules for individuals. However, Haringey is continuing to work in partnership with them and our Covid Marshalls are out in our hotspot areas on high streets and in parks, engaging and encouraging compliance.

If residents want to report Covid related concerns they should email the dedicated email address – Covid19concerns@haringey.gov.uk

The Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (sometimes referred to as the shielded population)

There are approximately 10,000 Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) residents in the borough. All of these residents were contacted during the second lockdown in November and provided with the Connected Communities phone number: 020 8489 4431 and email address: Connectedcommunities@haringey.gov.uk .

The phoneline continues to operate Monday-Friday 09:00-17:00. Please do not hesitate to contact Connect Communities if you need support.

If you have symptoms

You must get a free test if you have any of the following symptoms no matter how mild you think your symptoms are:

• A high temperature

• A new continuous cough

• A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste

Most people with coronavirus have at least one of these symptoms.

The test is free and easy to book.

Appointments can be made online (external link ) or by calling 119

Tests are pain-free and typically take less than a minute

Results from tests taken at test sites are received the next day

Lines are open 7am to 11pm.

They will give you an appointment at your nearest test centre. There are currently 4 test sites in Haringey:

Alexandra Palace, Paddock Car Park, Hornsey Gate, Alexandra Palace Way, N8 7HP

Opening times: 7 days a week, 7am-9pm

Parking is available on site.

Find the Alexandra Palace testing site on Google Maps (external link)

Haringey Irish Centre Car Park, Pretoria Road, N17 8DX

Opening times: 7 days a week, 7am-9pm

No parking available on site, so you must either arrive by foot or bike.

Find the Irish Centre testing site on Google Maps (external link)

Stamford Hill Primary School, Berkeley Road, N15 6HD

Opening times: 7 days a week, 7am-9pm

No parking available on site, so you must either arrive by foot or bike.

Find the Stamford Hill primary school testing site on Google Maps (external link)

New River Sport Centre car park, White Hart Lane, NR22 5QW

Opening times: 9am-3pm

Opening dates: Friday 8 January | Monday 11 January | Wednesday 13 January | Friday 15 January | Monday 18 January | Wednesday 20 January | Saturday 23 January | Monday 25 January | Thursday 28 January | Saturday 30 January

Parking is available on site.

Find the New River Sports Centre car park testing site on Google Maps (external link)

If you do not have symptoms

Haringey now has 2 rapid COVID-19 test sites for people who are NOT showing any signs of having the virus.

Around 1 in 3 people who have the coronavirus show no symptoms but they can still pass it on to others, who may not be so fortunate.

The centres are at the following locations:

• 48 Station Road, Wood Green, N22 7TY

• Tottenham Community Sports Centre, 701 – 703 High Road, N17 8AD

They are operational and 5 days a week and will be open as follows:

Tuesday to Friday: 12pm-7pm

Saturdays: 10am-5pm

Sunday and Monday: closed.

See a map of these sites (including those from neighbouring boroughs).

Unfortunately, we cannot do tests for children aged 11 and under. If you are concerned that your child may have COVID-19 please book a test via NHS 119 or the government website (external link).

Until now, people have been advised to only book a test if they are showing one of the main symptoms.

Vaccines and vaccinations

The government has now approved for use a vaccine for COVID-19 and published advice on the priority groups to receive it.

The government have said they plan to first give the vaccine to:

The roll-out of the vaccine has already begun and the vaccination programme is being managed by the NHS.

More information about the vaccine is available on the NHS website (external link) and  Public Health England website (external link).

Despite the emergence of a vaccine, it is important to remember that COVID-19 remains a serious threat to the health of everyone. It is therefore important to protect yourself and others by following government advice (external link), washing your hands regularly, covering your face in enclosed spaces, and staying 2m apart from anyone you do not live with.

The following video discusses the science behind vaccines, as explained by Professor Jonathon Van-Tam: https://youtu.be/UPC0Je7EXaE

Mental Health support

We know that the ongoing pandemic and renewed national restrictions can take its toll on mental health. If you’re feeling upset, anxious or stressed at this time, we want to reassure you that you’re not alone and there is support available.

Support for those experiencing domestic abuse

want to reassure individuals if you’re at risk, or those experiencing domestic abuse, that support services remain available during this difficult time.

If you’re at risk you can get support by calling the freephone, 24 hour National Domestic Abuse Helpline number – 0808 2000 247 – run by Refuge, and visiting: www.nationaldahelpline.org.uk 

Local support is available in Haringey, you can ring the Haringey Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0300 012 0213, available Monday to Friday 10am-5:30pm or email: HaringeyIDVA@niaendingviolence.org.uk

Support is available and you are not alone during this period.

Parking enforcement

At present there are no plans to suspend parking enforcement for the current lockdown. This is in line with national guidance. However enforcement is being reviewed by London Councils so if this position changes we will let you know.

Critical workers are being supported through the Government Parking Pass.

This pass provides evidence of entitlement to free parking for those on duty as an NHS staff member, health or social care worker, or NHS Volunteer Responder. This is to enable them to access parking concessions in local authority-owned off-street car parks and on-street bays during the COVID-19 emergency response period.

Park facilities during lockdown

council-run ball courts, multi-use games areas (MUGAs), outdoor gyms and skate parks in Haringey’s green open spaces are closing, with picnic benches being cordoned off, in line with the Government’s national lockdown guidance. There will also be no public events held in Haringey parks during this time.

Playgrounds will remain open for children and young families, as will park cafes but for takeaways only. The toilets in many of our parks are managed by cafe leaseholders and they will open as the cafes do, and when it is safe to do so.

In line with government legislation you may still make use of parks but you can only exercise in the following circumstances, and should minimise the time spent outside of your home, to reduce the risk of transmission among the wider community.

You can exercise:

This should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside of your local area.

Library Services During Lockdown

Marcus Garvey and Wood Green Libraries will remain open to the public for limited services.

Hornsey Library will be closed for now but Haringey will be reviewing the situation over the next week in the hope of reopening the library with a limited service.

All other libraries in the borough will be closed for the duration of the lockdown.

Library users will be able to access stock through ‘Click and Collect’ services at the open libraries via Ready Read pre-orders, online reservations or by calling 020 8489 2700. Please do not simply turn up at the libraries.

There will be no overdue book fines charged during this lockdown period, so that customers can order and borrow books and not worry about potential penalties.

The Home Library Service will continue for the borough’s most vulnerable users.

At present the council are not offering access to public computers in the libraries, but are reviewing how to do so in future in a safe manner for those who need digital access the most.

Haringey Digital Divide Appeal

Despite the best efforts of our schools in Haringey and the local authority, we know there are a number of children and young people who don’t have regular access to laptops, WiFi and other technological support at home.

These children and young people have faced additional challenges to those of their classmates since the onset of the ongoing coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, but – with your help and support we can help bridge that digital divide.

Here’s what your donation could give a young person:

£20 – One month’s supply of internet access/ WiFi

£40 – A mobile broadband device

£60 – One month’s supply of internet access/ WiFi + a mobile broadband device

£250 – A basic specification laptop, with carrier case and accessories

Find out more: https://www.haringeygiving.org.uk/appeal/digital-divide-appeal

Schools in Haringey

All primary and secondary schools and sixth-form colleges in Haringey have now moved to remote learning, in line with the national lockdown rules.

Children of key workers and vulnerable children are still able to attend their school or college as normal. Exams and vocational assessments will go ahead as planned this month (January 2021). As a council, Haringey are working closely with schools to support them through these arrangements, which are due to last at least until February half-term.

Early years settings – such as alternative provision, nurseries and special schools – will remain open, while vulnerable children and children of key workers can continue to use childminders, registered childcare and other childcare activities (including wraparound care).

Cllr Amin and I wrote to Gavin Williamson demanding realistic early years policies, you can read the letter here.

For the purposes of informal childcare, parents can form a childcare bubble with one other household where the child is under 14. Nannies can continue to provide in-the-home services too.

University students should return to face-to-face learning as planned and be tested twice upon arrival or self-isolate for 10 days if they are undertaking training and studying for the following courses:

• Education (initial teacher training)
• Medicine and Dentistry
• Subjects allied to Medicine/Health
• Social Work
• Veterinary Science

Courses which require Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB) assessments and/or mandatory activity which is scheduled for January and cannot be rescheduled

Students not studying these courses should, wherever possible, remain where they are and start their term online until at least mid-February.

See the Government guidance on returning safely to higher education in the Spring term.

Those eligible to attend are allowed to leave their homes for childcare or education reasons.

The government said these restrictions are expected to last until the middle of February, if the situation in hospitals improves.

Local Foodbanks

Please consider helping your local foodbank in any way you can.

They are calling for extra donations of long life products like tins.

Foodbank Aid North London (covering N6 and N10)

Set up by a Highgate resident in response to the Covid crisis, Food Aid North London collects and distributes much needed food and household products for community food banks across north London. Donations can be dropped off at a collection point just off West Hill. More details here.

Hornsey Foodbank The Methodist Church, corner of Middle Lane and Lightfoot Road, N8 7JN

Open to all every Thursday 11am-1pm

Accepting everyone that needs a foodbank (no voucher required)

Donations welcomed Thursdays between 10 – 11 am or 1 – 2 pm. Foods, personal care products, toiletries, cleaning supplies, nappies, baby wipes and sanitary products.

Contact: wearehornsey@gmail.com / 07940 030 353

Muswell Hill Foodbank (The Trussell Trust)

The Muswell Hill Foodbank on Pembroke Road is open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. You will need to get a voucher from one of the Referral Agencies (Citizens Advice, Social Services, Job Centres, some schools and doctors surgeries and other local charities) before going to the foodbank. Strict social distancing is in place to ensure the safety of clients and volunteers.

The foodbank urgently needs donations

Usage of the foodbank is expected to double or treble over the next few weeks.

The foodbank needs donations of dry and canned goods (no fresh produce or perishables) and toiletries (men’s and women). See here for delivery times.

The foodbank runs wholly on donations and are unable to operate collections outside of supermarkets at the moment, please consider making a one-off or a regular monetary donation online to support them.

The Holy Trinity Food Bank Stroud Green

Open every Sunday from 1.30pm – 3.30pm.

Please drop off donations at the food bank between 1.30pm – 3.30pm on Sundays. Alternatively there are dedicated collection bins at:

Sainsbury’s, 175-179 Stroud Green Road, N4 3PZ

Londis, 9-11 Ferme Park Road, N4 4DS

If you would like to make a monetary donation please email: htfoodbank@gmail.com and for more information visit: http://www.holytrinityfoodbank.org.uk/

The Gospel Centre Food Bank corner of Raleigh Road / Wightman Road, N8 OLT

Open Tuesday 6.30-8.30pm or Sunday 11.30-1pm.

Requires donations of non perishable food

Supporting those in need, especially from N8, N4 and N22 – no referral required

Enquiries to gospelcfoodbank@gmail.com

Bounds Green Food Bank St Michael’s Hall, 37 Bounds Green Road, N22 8HE

Open 2pm-4pm every Tuesday & Thursday, and Monday Evenings 6pm-8pm

Accepting everyone that needs a foodbank (no voucher required)

Food donations accepted Monday: 4.30pm-8pm | Tuesday 12:30pm-4pm | Thursday 12pm-4pm

Enquiries to BoundsGreenMutualAid@gmail.com

Other Local Foodbanks

Trussell Trust Foodbanks. For more information on Trussell Trust foodbanks you may wish to donate to, including the Tottenham Food Bank, please visit this link.

The Selby Centre Food Bank, Selby Rd, Tottenham. The Selby Centre have setup an Amazon Wishlist allowing you to order items from Amazon as a donation. You can do this here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/1ILCJU7JGOGMB/ref=cm_go_nav_hz, or can give a monetary donation here https://www.selbytrust.co.uk/about/donate

National lockdown guidance

National lockdown guidance for those who are well: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home

National lockdown guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

National lockdown guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19

Get in touch

You can find your local councillor on the Haringey website: https://www.minutes.haringey.gov.uk/mgMemberIndex.aspx