Reading to move into Tier 2 - what it means for you

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Fri 27 November 2020:
Your regular update from Reading Borough Council on our response to the COVID-19 pandemic and how you can help

A message from Reading Borough Council leader Jason Brock

We discovered yesterday that Reading will be in Tier 2 from Wednesday 2 December. Until then the same lockdown rules apply as you have followed for the last three weeks. The rest of Berkshire is also in Tier 2, except for Slough which is in Tier 3.

The move to Tier 2 will cause all of us further challenges at a time of year when we would ordinarily be mixing with friends and family, and for some local businesses who face more hardship at a vital time of year for them.

It is important that from Wednesday, everyone sticks to the Tier 2 rules so that we see a decline in the case numbers and can, in time, move to a lower tier of restriction. The latest COVID-19 statistics for Reading can be found at www.berkshirepublichealth.co.uk. The messages of good hand hygiene, wearing a mask when in enclosed spaces and social distancing, remain just as important today as they did at the start of the pandemic. The key behaviours everyone should follow that apply to all tiers are:

I would like to remind people that whilst we are in this High Alert tier, you must not mix with other households indoors as we know the risk of passing the virus on to others is highest when inside. Meeting up in groups of up to six outdoors is permitted, but please still practice social distancing when doing this with those you do not live with. A summary of the main restrictions from Wednesday is below, and you can read the full Tier 2 rules on the government website here.

Reading’s economy remains resilient, and we are here to help businesses out with grants available for the lockdown period. I am pleased that what are deemed to be ‘non-essential’ shops will be able to open, but for those businesses who cannot operate the impact will certainly be felt. It has been a hugely challenging year for everyone and the reality is that it looks likely to continue until the Spring.

The good news is that, in terms of Council services, the Tier 2 rules mean that gyms and swimming pools will be able to open in Reading, which is important and provides people with huge physical and mental health benefits. The same applies to the return of outside organised sport for adults and children.

Our ‘Stay Well In Reading This Winter’ campaign continues this week with a focus on domestic violence, which we know can be more prevalent during periods of lockdown. Advice on this can be found below.

Thank for your continued efforts to do the right thing for Reading.

Tier 2 - What It Means For You

For more information on Tier 2 rules please go to the Government website here.

Stay Well In Reading This Winter
Domestic violence: be brave, speak up

Domestic violence affects all classes, race, religion, disabled, young, old, LGBTQ+, women, men and children and comes in many forms; physical, sexual, psychological, financial, violent, intimidation and coercive control.

Safe Spaces
Many people are currently forced indoors with lockdown, with an abusive partner or family member. If you or someone you know are experiencing domestic abuse or if you’re worried about someone, Boots, Superdrug pharmacies, Morrisons pharmacies and other independent chemists have safe spaces - their consulting rooms are there for you and you’ll find specialist domestic abuse support. In the consulting room you can safely explore your options without fear of being caught.

Berkshire Women’s Aid for women, children and men
Local charity Berkshire Women’s Aid provides confidential support, information and refuge accommodation. For help, or if you're worried about someone, ring 0118 950 4003, leave a message with a safe time to call back if they are on another call.

IN AN EMERGENCY ALWAYS CALL 999, IF YOU CAN’T SPEAK PRESS 55
Here is more information on how to make a silent 999 call when it’s not safe to speak

If you’re worried about a child or young person being abused or neglected...
Help keep our local children and young people safe. If you’re worried about a child being abused or neglected or not sure if it’s abuse, please don’t stay silent, be brave speak up on behalf of a child. To raise a concern about a child in Reading contact Brighter Futures For Children, call: 0118 937 3641 or email cspoa@brighterfuturesforchildren.org

160,000 children in England are affected by domestic violence and we know it’s a hard thing to talk about. PC Massie from Thames Valley Police shares helpful advice and reminds young people they won’t get into trouble if they call 999, if someone is getting hurt. Watch and share the video here.

People of any age can be affected by domestic abuse
Older people can be particularly vulnerable to certain forms of domestic abuse, including abuse by a carer and financial abuse. Age UK are there for you and for you if you are worried about an older person. Their Advice Line telephone number is 0800 678 1602, and is free to call and open 8am to 7pm 365 days a year.

But can I leave my home during lockdown?
Yes. Lockdown or household isolation does not apply if you need to leave you home to escape domestic abuse. Please be brave. Make the one small step of finding out your options in a safe space, see the information above, go to your local chemist and ask for their ‘Safe Space’ consulting room. Find out what your options are and what help there is for you and your family.

Find out more about the signs of domestic violence, staying safe and help available.

University of Reading helping students
travel safely home for Christmas

The University of Reading is launching a rapid testing service for students on campus, as part of its plans to help students travel safely home for the Christmas break.

Free tests will be offered to non-symptomatic students, and on-campus staff, between 1 and 11 December. The University is encouraging those who intend to travel to do so as soon as possible after they receive a negative test result, once the national restrictions are lifted. Those who test positive will be supported to self-isolate in their student accommodation before travelling.

Plans have also been developed to support students who choose to stay in Reading over Christmas. All halls of residence will remain open, with catering available and support for anyone who needs to self-isolate. Teaching for the spring term will start as planned on Monday 11 January, subject to any changes in government advice.

Members of the public with queries about the University’s response to the pandemic can contact the COVID-19 support line on 0118 214 7813 between 9am and 5pm on weekdays and 11am and 4pm at weekends.

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH THE LATEST COVID-19 RESPONSE NEWS FROM READING BOROUGH COUNCIL

With the latest advice and service information changing regularly, you can keep up to date by following our dedicated page to the Covid-19 response here: https://www.reading.gov.uk/coronavirus
Please also follow us on Facebook and Twitter (links below) for regular updates.

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