The Government has published the 'COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021', setting out the roadmap out of the current lockdown for England.
The Government has said the roadmap will continue to protect and support citizens and provide a roadmap out of the current coronavirus restrictions with vaccines at the centre of its strategy. So far, over 18 million people have received a vaccine across the UK.
The success of the vaccination rollout, alongside falling infections and hospitalisations, is paving the way for the safe and gradual lifting of restrictions.
Before taking each step, the Government will review the latest data on the impact of the previous step against four tests:
- The vaccine deployment programme continues successfully.
- Evidence shows vaccines are sufficiently effective in reducing hospitalisations and deaths in those vaccinated.
- Infection rates do not risk a surge in hospitalisations which would put unsustainable pressure on the NHS.
- The assessment of the risks is not fundamentally changed by new Variants of Concern.
If these tests are satisfactorily met the following steps (easing of restrictions) will take place on key dates outlined in the posters of steps 1 to 4 (
pictured).
Covid spot checks As part of our checks on local businesses to ensure they are Covid secure over 200 businesses have been contacted, with a further 200 currently in progress.
We are pleased to say that the majority have been compliant. Advice and written warnings have been provided in relation to those non-compliant businesses.
No formal enforcement action has been needed so far.
We're continuing our work with the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) to contact businesses across Harborough district to check they have Covid-secure measures in place and to help tackle coronavirus (COVID-19) in the district.
Coronavirus grants During the national lockdown, Harborough District Council has continued to work hard to get grants to businesses in the Harborough district affected by the restrictions.
We have so far paid out £5.4m across the district a total of nearly 2,000 grants.
We are also distributed more than 65 test and trace support payments totalling £33,000.
Find out more about Covid-19 business grants on our website.
Vaccine survey Are you ready for your Covid-19 vaccine? Or do you still have questions about it? Your local NHS wants to know if it can do more to help you feel reassured and confident about being vaccinated.
Please complete our survey at
https://eu.questionpro.com/a/TakeSurvey?tt=g5gL%2BrPiw9LJb8sqNRKrDw%3D%3D You'll find all the latest information about the Covid-19 vaccine and the vaccination programme Leicestershire on the
local NHS CCG website.
These include
Covid-19 vaccine Frequently Asked Questions.
Become a Covid Health Champion Residents are being empowered to become Covid-19 health champions and be a voice in their community to help keep people informed.
Covid-19 health champions will be kept up to date with the latest advice and guidance via WhatsApp - or another way if you'd prefer - so that you can help your family, friends and other community members to make sense of the latest facts about the virus.
You'll also have the opportunity to feedback what is and isn't working at monthly online catch-ups, which you can attend if you're able to and want to.
For more information and to register your interest visit:
https://www.leicestershire.gov.uk/coronavirus-covid-19/how-you-can-help/become-a-covid-19-health-championInterfaith support vaccine take upThe Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Clinical Commissioning Groups have teamed up with Together in Hope to encourage people of all faiths and ethnicities to take the Covid-19 vaccine when their turn comes.
A selection of dual language videos have been created through the initiative to highlight key messages about the Covid-19 vaccine and are available in English, Arabic, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Pidgin, Polish, Punjabi, Somali and Urdu.
If you'd like to access the other languages, please visit:
www.leicestercityccg.nhs.uk/my-health/coronavirus-advice/coronavirus-vaccine/coronavirus-vaccine-videos/ Further supportView
www.harborough.gov.uk/coronavirus for more information and support regarding coronavirus.