From this Thursday (5 November), Barnet will enter into the new set of restrictions the Government has set for the whole of England.
Message from the Leader
This is to curb the rising rate of COVID-19 infections and protect the NHS from being overwhelmed. While this is a difficult time for all of us, I want to reassure you that the council will continue to support everyone who lives, works and studies in the borough.
Unlike the March lockdown, Barnet’s schools, colleges and early years education settings will endeavour to remain open and continue teaching in line with the current COVID-19 secure arrangements. Essential shops, including supermarkets and pharmacies, will remain open so there is no need to stock up on supplies. And the council will continue to provide all essential services – bins will continue to be collected, our streets will be kept clean and cleared, and our most vulnerable will be cared for.
Unfortunately, there will be some extra interruption to important areas of our lives. Due to restrictions on social mixing, we will have to commemorate Remembrance Sunday at home rather than in gatherings. Congregational worship will not be possible for the time being, meaning that our faith communities will need to practise in alternative ways. The new restrictions will also affect how Diwali can be celebrated this year.
Maintaining our physical and mental health is vital so there will be no limit this time on how much time we spend outdoors exercising. Our leisure centres will be closed from Thursday until at least 2 December so I urge you to make full use of our superb parks and green spaces.
This will be a tough time financially for many residents. We will continue to provide financial assistance to those most in need. We also know that many families will turn to food banks for extra support, so we have also arranged for additional stocks to be in place at the council’s Essential Supplies Hub. These extra supplies will help ensure the borough’s food banks have what they need to meet demand throughout the winter.
Many businesses will be hit hard so we be will be administering grants as soon as we have the details from government – please keep an eye on our website: www.barnet.gov.uk/covid19
And I remind you that we all have our part to play to tackle the virus – remember ‘hands, face, space’. If you have any of the main Covid-19 symptoms (below), you need to book a test here: www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test
- New, continuous cough
- High temperature
- Loss of or change to sense of taste or smell.
Together, we will get through this.
Cllr Dan Thomas, Leader of Barnet Council