Daily Coronavirus Bulletin
National Lockdowns - Stay at Home Where Possible
Haig Housing continues to operate but with service restrictions
Daily Bulletin for Sunday 28th February 2021
MESSAGE BY TIM STOCKINGS, CHIEF EXECUTIVE
The Government has announced a four-step plan in England to cautiously ease the current lockdown restrictions, with similar plans expected from the devolved administrations. The basic message remains ‘Stay at Home’ but lays out four steps with a minimum of 5 weeks between each step; intended to provide a route back to a more normal way of life. Each step will be assessed against four tests before restrictions ease, starting with the return of schools on 8 March. The decision on each stage will be based on data and not dates, and the Government has stated its intention to move cautiously to keep infection rates under control. The Government has recently re-evaluated those who are deemed clinically.extremely vulnerable and who should shield until advised otherwise; these individuals will be informed by letter or email of their new assessment. For the moment all but essential shops will remain closed. Further details about the four-step plan can be found here and below. For separate plans for the devolved administrations, see advice links under the respective national administration below.
The coronavirus epidemic and the new more infectious variants of the virus will have a significant impact on our lives and how the Trust operates until the full benefits of the mass vaccination programme can be realised; these are already becoming apparent and we expect things will continue to get better. However, Haig Housing’s Headquarters Office in Morden will remain closed for the time being, with all essential work being met by homeworking. While we continue to operate this reduced service, we will nevertheless work hard to ensure that our services remain as close to normal as safely possible.
However, with an emphasis on personal safety, some things will remain different while all administrations plot this cautious route out of the current lockdown and its restrictions. We will therefore continue to be informed by Government guidelines including those from the devolved administrations.
2020 was a particularly challenging year for all of us and the arrival of the more infectious variants of the virus have by necessity placed further restrictions during the winter period which itself always brings more health challenges. While 2021 will still be a hugely different year, the success to date of the vaccine roll-out programme provides genuine light at the end of the tunnel.
Nevertheless, we must first follow the new phased easing of restrictions just announced. Using that same sense of mutual responsibility that we remember from when we were in the military, I ask you all please to follow closely Government guidance and guidance so we can come through this together.
KEY POINTS TO NOTE
Alban Dobson House, Morden
- Alban Dobson House is operating on skeleton staff with most working from home. Please contact us by phone on 020 8685 5777 or by email to enquiries@haighousing.org.uk if you have any questions. A full out of hours repairs service continues to operate but this will be prioritised to emergency and urgent repairs.
Rent
- We ask that you continue to make your rent payments so that we can continue our efforts to help our beneficiaries through these challenging times and to maintain your homes.
- If you have difficulty in paying you should confirm that you have applied for all the Government assistance that is available, noting that furlough and other payment support has been extended. When we emerge from the pandemic and more people can return to full-time working you should note that this support is likely to come to an end. If you have any concerns over meeting your rent you should contact our Income team without delay on 020 8685 5777, choosing Option 2, so we can offer you help, assistance and advice.
- If you are applying locally for Universal Credit, please note that Haig Housing Trust is a PRIVATE LANDLORD and not a Housing Association.
Repairs and Maintenance
- Please report all repairs by telephone to 020 8685 5777, choosing Option 1 or by email to enquiries@haighousing.org.uk. Calls will take longer to answer; please be patient as we will get to all calls in turn. Emergency and Urgent repairs will be prioritised with others undertaken on a case by case basis.
- We will always respond in an emergency.
- Our out of hours service remains available fully for emergency or very urgent repairs only but please listen carefully to any pre-recorded messages.
Estate Visits
- Estate visits by Housing Managers are generally suspended and will only be resumed when lockdown restrictions are eased. When and where they are possible, they will only be conducted on the door-step, observing safe distancing. Indoor visits will only resume once lockdown or other tier restrictions permit. These may vary in the devolved administrations.
- All Haig Staff will maintain 2 metre social distancing and wear face coverings; we ask you to take the same precautions.
- We will inform you when stock survey visits recommence.
New Beneficiaries
- Sign up of new beneficiaries will be assessed on a case by case basis while lockdown and tier restrictions remain in force.
Car Permits
- Current Car Permits have been further extended to midnight on Wednesday 31st March 2021. We will advise in advance of this date when new permits are to be issued and with what mechanism.
- YOU SHOULD NOTE THAT NORMAL PARKING ENFORCEMENT CONTINUES.
Please check back to this website regularly for updates.
OTHER USEFUL INFORMATION
If you self-isolate
If you self-isolate after being instructed to do so or are following Government guidelines then please inform us without delay by telephone or email so that we can advise any contractor who may need to visit you.
USEFUL DOCUMENTS
General Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidance - English
General Coronavirus (Covid-19) Guidance – नेपाली Nepalese
USEFUL LINKS
PLEASE NOTE THAT WHILE MUCH OF THE ADVICE BELOW APPLIES TO ALL, SOME IS SPECIFIC TO ENGLAND ONLY. THEREFORE IF YOU LIVE IN SCOTLAND, WALES, NORTHERN IRELAND OR JERSEY PLEASE ALSO CHECK THE SPECIFIC ADVICE GIVEN IN THE NATIONAL SECTIONS BELOW.
Coronavirus - Government/NHS
Government - Four step plan to ease lockdown restrictions in England: here
Government - National Lockdown - Stay at Home. See here
Government - Full list of local restriction tiers by area from Sunday 31 December 2020: here
Government guidance for those who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive: here
Government guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection: here
Government advice on support for businesses incl for the self employed: here
Government winter campaign to manage coronavirus - Hand. Face. Space: here
Government legal requirement for all venues to now record contact details: here
Government advice on face coverings in education: here
Government advice on new payments for people self-isolating in highest risk areas: here
Government guidance on getting tested for Coronavirus: click here
Government advice on Coronavirus: click here
Government guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing: click here
Government advice on Coronavirus and domestic abuse: click here
NHS advice on Test and Trace: here
NHS advice on Coronavirus: click here
Public Health England: A simple guide to staying at home: click here
Every Mind Matters - Looking after your mental health at home: click here
Income Support Self-Employed
Government self-employment Income Support Scheme: click here
Extremely Vulnerable People
Government guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19: click here
Get Coronavirus support as an extremely vulnerable person: click here
Schools
Online educational resources for schools and parents to help children to learn at home: click here
Voucher scheme for schools to provide free school meals: click here
Veterans Support
Veterans UK open for business but with some changes: click here
Veterans Gateway - Help if you have been affected by Covid-19: click here
Volunteering
To volunteer for the NHS: click here
Scotland
Latest Scottish Government advice: click here
Coronavirus Strategic Framework Update 23 February: here
Ready Scotland - How to get and give help: click here
Wales
Welsh Government - general advice and information: click here
Welsh Government - how to protect yourself and others: click here
Northern Ireland
NIDirect information: click here
Northern Ireland Public Health Agency advice and information: click here
Jersey
Jersey Government - General advice: click here
Jersey Government - health advice and information: click here
Miscellaneous
Obtain an NHS Isolation Note (in lieu of a GP Fitness to Work Note) for your employer: click here
MOTs due from 30 March 2020 - 6 month extension: click here
Driving licences expiring between 1 February and 31 August 2020 extended by 7 months: click here
USEFUL HELPLINES
Childline (www.childine.org.uk) offers support to children or young persons where domestic abuse is happening in the home or within a relationship and is free to call on 0800 1111
Forcesline (www.ssafa.org.uk/get-help/forcesline) for serving personnel, Veterans and their families 0800 731 4880 (Mon to Fri 10.30am-7.30pm)
Galop (www.galop.org.uk) provides an LGBT+ Domestic Abuse Helpline and is free to call on 0800 999 5428
Hour Glass (www.wearehourglass.org) challenges the abuse of older people in all its forms and is free to call on 0808 808 8141
Karma Nirvana (www.karmanirvana.org.uk) supports victims of honour based abuse and forced marriage and is free to call on 0800 5999 247 (Mon to Fri 9am–5pm)
Men’s Advice Line (www.mensadviceline.org.uk) is a confidential helpline for male victims of domestic violence and those supporting them and is free to call on 0808 801 0327
National Domestic Abuse 24/7 helpline, which offers support to victims and people affected by domestic abuse, is free to call on 0808 2000 247
NHS 111 (www.111.nhs.uk) to access medical help fast but when it’s not a 999 emergency call 111 or in Wales 0845 4647.
Samaritans (www.smaritans.org) provides 24/7 confidential emotional support for feelings of distress, despair or suicide thoughts 116 123
Shout (www.giveusashout.org) is a crisis text support service for people in the military community who are struggling and need immediate support to get through a crisis. Text CONTACT to 85258
The Respect Phoneline (www.respectphoneline.org.uk) provides confidential advice and support to help perpetrators stop being violent and abusive and is free to call 0808 802 4040
Togetherall (www.togetherall.com/en-gb) is a safe 24/7 online service supporting your mental health in terms of anxiety, depression and other common mental health issues.
Veterans Gateway (www.veteransgateway.org.uk) 24/7 first point of contact for Veterans seeking support, from healthcare and housing to employability, finances, personal relationships and more. 0800 802 1212
Victim Support National 24/7 Supportline (www.victimsupport.org.uk) 08 08 16 89 111
