Covid-19 news and updates

There have been a vast number of changes to our services since March, as we respond to the pandemic. We are regularly publishing updates and advice at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/coronavirus 

We are also sharing updates with our subscribers in regular, comprehensive emails, and publishing stories on social media using #TowerHamletsTogether and #KeepTowerHamletsSafe.

Sign up to our 'health and wellbeing - coronavirus' newsletter to get regular updates delivered to your inbox.

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Read the most recent updates online:

February:

• 18 February 2021: See inside a Covid-19 vaccination clinic, and stand up and be counted this Census
• 11 February 2021: Join us next Wednesday for a live Q&A discussion on the Covid-19 vaccine

January:

• 21 January 2021: Covid-19 testing and vaccinations, job opportunities, free support for business owners

• 14 January 2021: New rapid Covid-19 test centre and free mental health and domestic violence support available

• 7 January 2021: Stay home, get tested and tackling nitrous oxide abuse

• 5 January 2021: New national lockdown announced

December:

• 23 December 2020: Support available this Christmas - Tier 4 - Shielding - Testing
• 20 December 2020: Tier 4 rules - stay at home this Christmas
• 18 December 2020: London moves into Tier 3 - vaccinations for vulnerable and more
• 15 December 2020: Tier 3 rules – what you can and cannot do from 16 December
• 10 December 2020: Act now to avoid new restrictions - stay safe this Christmas - and more
• 3 December 2020: Stay alert, shop safe and have your say on libraries
• 2 December 2020: Bengali newsletter: New rules from 2 December and Covid-19 teams here to help

November:

• 26 November 2020: Current rules remain until 2 December and our Covid-19 teams are here to help
• 19 November 2020: Covid-19 compliance, standing up to Islamophobia, activities for kids and more
• 18 November 2020: Bengali newsletter - local Covid-19 compliance, Ask the Mayor and more
• 12 November 2020: Happy Diwali, Idea Stores update, Ask the Mayor and more
• 6 November 2020: Covid-19 advice and local updates, Remembrance Day, Bangla drama and more
• 5 November 2020: Bengali newsletter: Lockdown restrictions now in place - read the rules, stay safe
• 4 November 2020: Lockdown restrictions from midnight tonight - read the rules and stay safe
• 2 November 2020: New national restrictions in the fight against Covid-19

October:

• 29 October 2020: Bengali newsletter - Covid-19 cases rising, free meals for kids and more news
• 29 October 2020: Covid-19 cases are still rising, free meals for kids ️and more local news
• 22 October 2020: Mayor and MPs release vital message + shielding updates, half-term and more
• 15 October 2020: Covid-19: London moves to 'high' risk -new rules from Friday night
• 15 October 2020: Bengali newsletter - new rules as London moves to 'high' Covid-19 alert system
• 8 October 2020: Stop Covid-19, free tickets, new playgrounds and electric vehicle charging + more
• 8 October 2020: Bengali newsletter - Please avoid visiting other households in Tower Hamlets
• 2 October 2020: Covid-19 cases rise: Please avoid visiting other households in Tower Hamlets

September:

• 24 September 2020: Download NHS Covid-19 app + Recycle Week, Black History Month and more
• 24 September 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - New restrictions + download NHS app to fight Covid-19
• 23 September 2020: New national restrictions to fight against Covid-19
• 17 September 2020: The latest essential Covid-19 info, help us to tackle inequalities, and much more
• 17 September 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - protect yourself and others from Covid-19
• 11 September 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - message from Mayor Biggs as Covid-19 cases rise
• 10 September 2020: Rule of six as Covid-19 cases rise, have your say on safer streets and more
• 3 September 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - Covid-19 cases are rising in Tower Hamlets and local advice
• 3 September 2020: Covid-19 cases are rising in Tower Hamlets - And more local news...

August:

• 27 August 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - back to school and big news for Brick Lane
• 27 August 2020: Back to school advice, shop local and Ask the Mayor
• 20 August 2020: Deborah dazzles, back to school and big news for Brick Lane
• 20 August 2020: Bengali newsletter - Keep Tower Hamlets open + free support for entrepreneurs
• 13 August 2020: Keep Tower Hamlets open + free support for aspiring entrepreneurs
• 13 August 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - Covid-19 latest + dawn raids crack down on crime & more
• 6 August 2020: Covid-19 latest + dawn raids crack down on crime, new homes & it's getting HOT!
• 4 August 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - wear a face covering and get ready for hot weather

July:

• 31 July 2020: Visiting our parks? Don't be a tosser + Eid Mubarak to those celebrating!
• 28 July 2020: Stay safe, eat out to help out, free cycle training and Eid Al-Adha celebrations 
• 24 July 2020: Wear a face covering, the lowdown on Test and Trace + summer fun
• 21 July 2020: Welcome back to Idea Stores, eat out to help out, wear a face covering and more
• 17 July 2020: Idea Stores reopening, summer events for families and the UK's recovery roadmap
• 16 July 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - Test and trace, keeping the faith and meet the silly squad
• 14 July 2020: Test and trace, keeping the faith and meet the silly squad
• 10 July 2020: Safety is our top priority, get tested for Covid-19 and online summer schools
• 9 July 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - updates from Tower Hamlets Council
• 7 July 2020: Markets reopening success, time to reflect, special events and lots of ongoing support
• 3 July 2020: Find out about the reopening of pubs and the return of Columbia Road Flower Market
• 2 July 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - COVID-19 funding shortfall + Stars in Memory and mental health

June:

• 30 June 2020: COVID-19 funding shortfall + Stars in Memory and your mental health
• 26 June 2020: Stay safe outdoors, advice for businesses and vulnerable residents + festival fun
• 25 June 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - have your say on how we represent race and equality
• 22 June 2020: Have your say on how we represent race and equality in Tower Hamlets
• 19 June 2020: Ask the Mayor live, Windrush Day, Midsummer Festival and more
• 18 June 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - Ask the Mayor, changes to restrictions + remembering Grenfell
• 16 June 2020: Pride goes on(line) and last chance to share your lockdown experiences
• 12 June 2020: New support for businesses, changes to restrictions + remembering Grenfell
• 11 June 2020: A special thank you...
• 11 June 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - watch our film + let's talk covid and the fight against racism
• 9 June 2020: Local statue removed as part of fight against racism + let's talk coronavirus
• 5 June 2020: No Place for Hate, keep our parks tidy, transport changes and more
• 5 June 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - impact survey, standing up to racism and celebrating volunteers
• 2 June 2020: Celebrating the volunteers who put their community first

May:

• 29 May 2020: School updates and tell us about your lockdown experiences
• 28 May 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - dawn raids show coronavirus won't stop crackdown on drugs
• 27 May 2020: Dawn raids show coronavirus won't stop the crackdown on drug dealers
• 22 May 2020: Update on schools, new opening hours for Victoria Park and Eid Mubarak
• 21 May 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - celebrating Eid safely, mental health, new coronavirus symptom
• 19 May 2020: A new coronavirus symptom, help us keep streets clean, it's time to be kind + more
• 15 May 2020: New opening hours for Vicky Park, our response so far and thanks to terrific teachers
• 14 May 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - the threat isn't over and looking after mental health
• 13 May 2020: Looking after your mental health and a note on visiting Vicky Park
• 11 May 2020: The threat is not over - read the latest on lockdown
• 7 May 2020: Our own walking hero, ways to spend the bank holiday and accessing health services
• 7 May 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - ways to spend the weekend at home, accessing health services
• 4 May 2020: Messages of hope in the fight against covid, changes to free school meals and more
• 1 May 2020: A big thank you from the mayor, more testing for key workers + local advice

April:

• 30 April 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - NHS still there for you, housing support and local advice
• 29 April 2020: When to get help: The NHS is still there if you need it, local advice + free dance classes
• 27 April 2020: Gruffalo illustrator pitches in to help explain coronavirus to kids
• 24 April 2020: Ramadan Mubarak, food for thousands, rent relief for community groups
• 23 April 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - Ramadan Mubarak from the Mayor and more local advice
• 22 April 2020: #AloneTogether, a Ramadan message and advice from some famous faces
• 20 April 2020: Rent deferral for commercial tenants and having a healthy Ramadan
• 17 April 2020: Lockdown continues: please keep doing the right thing
• 16 April 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - Shop responsibly, message for abuse victims and local advice
• 14 April 2020: New local advice, and a simple message for abuse victims: you are not alone
• 9 April 2020: Virtual Easter egg hunt, Victoria Park to reopen, bank holiday bin collections & more
• 9 April 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - Stay home, Vicoria Park, GP practices and pharmacies open
• 8 April 2020: Want to help? Paid and volunteer roles available! Plus parking, shopping and more
• 6 April 2020: Please keep following the rules to avoid further restrictions, and more local advice
• 3 April 2020: Please stay home and save lives this weekend, food packages for residents & more
• 3 April 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - Watch out for scams, thanks to volunteers & local advice
• 1 April 2020: Watch out for scams, thanks to volunteers & local coronavirus advice

March:

• 31 March 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - new phoneline to help vulnerable residents
• 30 March 2020: Advice on looking after your mental health, exercising more & other local information
• 27 March 2020: New phoneline to help vulnerable residents & more local advice
• 26 March 2020: What to do if you're worried about council tax & more coronavirus advice
• 26 March 2020: Bengali e-newsletter - update on coronavirus
• 25 March 2020: Video: 'we're a community and we need to work together' + Victoria Park to close
• 24 March 2020: Stay at home to save lives - read what you need to do to stop the spread
• 21 March 2020: Plea to shoppers, update on bins, Mayor Biggs joins MPs in video message & more
• 20 March 2020: Closing time for venues in the battle against coronavirus & new local advice
• 19 March 2020: How you can help the community at this challenging time & more news
• 18 March 2020: Coronavirus update - avoid social contact to protect yourself and others
• 18 March 2020: Sign up for coronavirus updates
• 17 March 2020: Coronavirus update - protect yourself and others
• 11 March 2020: Latest advice on coronavirus (COVID-19)

And subscribe at www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/signup to get them straight to your inbox.

Remember, there are things we all must do differently in order to protect ourselves and others. It is vital that we all follow government and NHS advice.

#TowerHamletsTogether

It's been heartening to see so many wonderful people and organisations stepping up to help those who need it as we all work together to tackle coronavirus.

In Tower Hamlets, the volunteer response has been second to none and we're very grateful for all the individuals and groups putting their hands up to help through the Tower Hamlets Volunteer Centre. 

If you're helping in the community, why not take a moment to share a photo or a story on social media using the hashtag #TowerHamletsTogether?

It could be anything from displaying your child's rainbow drawing in your window to dropping off essential supplies to a neighbour, or maybe you're a small business or organisation supporting people in a different way. Every little gesture is helping us get through this together.

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