Work/Life update: 2nd September

“Great content as always” - Tony Ryan, Branduin Business Support

Webinars - all are free, run for 60 minutes:

Facebook live Friday, September 4 at 11:00am

https://www.facebook.com/backheathrow/posts/3401794413176310

This Friday (September 4) Back Heathrow will be hosting an interactive Facebook live event at 11:00am. With guests, Sally Smith, chief operating officer, and Alan Rides, managing director of Hounslow Chamber of Commerce & West London Local Chambers. Under discussion will be the impact of Heathrow’s current downturn on local businesses, and what local Chambers of Commerce can do to help revive our economy.

HR webinar - 10^th September with Peninsula - 10:00am

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/x/how-to-manage-covid-19-employer-challenges-with-honslow-chamber-tickets-117386449029

Some of the talking points will include:

The latest COVID secure guidelines
Managing employee contract changes within the current legal framework
Steps you can take to ensure staff feel safe on their return to work
Potential risks to your business if operating outside of the latest guidance
How to meet new employment laws and manage your workplace in a rapidly changing business landscape

During the session, you can submit questions about COVID-19 directly to an HR or employment law expert

All registrants get the chance to claim a one-to-one video conference with a Peninsula consultant for advice on how to reduce the impact of COVID-19 on your business.

If you have missed our webinars, you can watch them now: https://hounslowchamber.org.uk/10015

A message from the Leader of Hounslow Council, Cllr Steve Curran

I'm pleased to report that, after the localised spikes in cases of coronavirus we experienced earlier this month, we are now back to the previous low and steady rate in the borough. Our cases per 100,000 currently stands at about 11. This equates to fewer than 30 positive cases reported in the last seven days, and at this time is below the average for northwest London.

I’d like to say a big thank you to the people in the affected areas, particularly Heston, Cranford and Hounslow, who responded quickly to our targeted communications and call to action, both in terms of abiding by social distancing guidance and getting tested locally. About 1,000 people were tested over just two days at the mobile sites in Heston and Hanworth.

This demonstrates clearly how we can work together to control the spread of this deadly infection and protect our friends, family and most vulnerable residents. I also want to thank our Community Champions, faith leaders and voluntary organisations for their assistance in quickly sharing important information and advice with their communities.

The recent rapid increase in cases is a harsh reminder that we can't be complacent. The virus can spread rapidly and without symptoms; no one wants to be the one who makes a vulnerable friend or relative sick. Had we not taken swift action together we could have seen widespread community infection spread.

We will continue to respond strongly and intervene quickly, though proportionately, to contain localised outbreaks. Increases can grow exponentially if left unchecked, spreading rapidly across the borough and putting more lives in danger and heightening the risk of a lockdown. The situation is monitored daily and we are kept abreast of the latest data provided by Public Health England. Further measures will be implemented if and wherever local outbreaks occur.

There is no one single metric or magic number which dictates specific interventions or a move to a local lockdown. Decisions take into account many factors, such whether outbreak numbers are within an extended family or a wider community setting. The most important factor is whether an increasing infection rate is a clear risk to health and demand for critical care.

Where we do take localised action we will, as far as possible, explain the reasons as we all need to understand why and work together for our communities.

We must all continue to play our part and act responsibly to control the spread. This will become more important as we enter autumn and winter as it’s thought cooler weather could lead to a resurgence of the disease. We should never forget how awful the situation was for many of our residents earlier this year. More than 230 people lost their lives and thousands of others became seriously ill.

Please continue to follow all Government advice:

Keep your distance – 2m from others not in your household where possible
Wash your hands, or use hand sanitiser, regularly and for at least 20 seconds, especially when you get home.
Don’t touch your face when you’re are not in your home.
Wear a face covering in shops and supermarkets, on public transport and when in other indoor spaces where keeping apart from others isn’t possible. Please always take a face covering with you when you leave your home in case you need to use it.
Get a free test if you have any symptoms - a high temperature; a new, continuous cough; a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste. Find a local site here.
Stay at home if you have symptoms, test positive for the virus, or have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.

London coronavirus: The ethnic groups and age groups most and least at risk of getting Covid-19 (courtesy of MyLondon)

Coronavirus cases in Hounslow have been "almost equally divided" between ethnic groups, its public health director, Kelly O’Neill, has said.

London rate remains low but rising among 20-29 year-olds (courtesy of London Councils)

Weekly statistics published by Public Health England (PHE) show Covid-19 infection rates remain low in London compared to other parts of the country, but the last two weeks have seen an increase in positive tests among 20-29 year-olds in the capital.

PHE London deputy regional director Professor Paul Pant said: "Rates of Covid-19 in young people have been rising over the past two weeks in London and the highest number of positive test results are now among people aged 20-29 across the city. This contrasts with overall rates for London boroughs which remain low compared to other parts of the country but we are concerned about this increase in Londoners in their twenties.

"Lockdown has been a tough time especially for young people and we know many are now enjoying the benefits of being able to go on holiday, eat meals out, go shopping and see family and friends again, but it's crucial that we do these fun things safely. Even if you are in a lower risk age group, please keep London safe for everyone by following government advice on social distancing, self isolation, wearing face coverings and practicing good hand hygiene so we can keep coronavirus at bay and avoid the possibility of local lockdown."

Brentford FC plays first match in new stadium (courtesy of the Chiswick Calendar)

Brentford FC has been given the go-ahead to host games, after their new stadium passed all the necessary safety checks. The first match was played on the pitch at 3:00pm on Tuesday 1 September, Which "friendly" against Oxford United which ended in 2 - 2 draw.

All football venues across the UK need safety certificates to host matches under current Covid-19 restrictions. The matches will be played behind closed doors, with an amendment needed to the certificate before they’re able to allow fans into the newly completed stadium.

The next game against Wycombe Wanderers in the Carabao Cup next Sunday, 6 September.

News from Chris Wickham, Communications Director

Additionally, BFC have also just announced their new Principal Partner for the season. they are delighted to confirm that Utilita Energy will be on the front of thrir new shirts this season. You can see the announcement and pictures of the new kits, produced by Umbro and featuring their famous double diamond, at https://www.brentfordfc.com/news/2020/august/brentford-release-umbro-home-and-away-kits-for-202021-season-powered-by-utilita-energy/.

Founded in 2003, Brentford’s new Principal Partner Utilita Energy is one of the nation's fastest-growing independent energy suppliers – currently powering more than 800,000 UK customers. Utilita Energy has established itself as a hugely recognisable brand in British football, having supplied power to a number of stadiums – including Ibrox, Selhurst Park and Villa Park – while partnering with more than 25 clubs as well as the EFL.

Utilita Energy, who first joined forces with The Bees in 2016 as Official Energy Supplier, have strengthened their relationship with the Club this summer and, as Principal Partner, will appear on the front of all Official Brentford shirts - including Brentford B and Brentford Women’s FC teams – for the 2020/21 campaign. As Brentford leave Griffin Park – the Club’s home of 116 years – Utilita Energy will play a central role, powering a new era at the new home less than a mile away from The Bees’ old ground.

Good News:

Arch Day celebrated with the Mayor of Hounslow

Residents were invited to visit their local arch businesses to support and celebrate small businesses affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The #loveyourlocalarches campaign held a virtual Arch Day celebration on Saturday 29 August across London. Arches are refurbished spaces under elevated railways that are home to thousands of businesses, ranging from bakeries to breweries and from salons to mechanic shops. These spaces are vital for our small businesses and we encourage all residents to visit and support them.

On Friday 31 August, Councillor Tony Louki, Mayor of Hounslow, visited two local arch businesses in TfL-owned arches; Active 360, a paddleboarding centre at Kew Bridge and Wave Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in Stamford Brook, to bring attention to small companies as they recover from the pandemic and its impacts.

You can still participate in the campaign by sharing pictures of yourself at an arch and using the #loveyourlocalarches and #archday2020 hashtag on social media.