HARLOW residents will receive guidance directly from Essex County Council’s (ECC) Director for Public Health from next week (w/c 26 April), ahead of the next scheduled easing of national Covid-19 restrictions in May and June.

Dr Mike Gogarty will be writing to households in the county to share the steps they need to take to keep themselves and those around them safe, as well as information about the support available locally, as they look ahead to further freedoms.

In his letter (linked below), Dr Gogarty has shared the three key actions all residents are urged to embed within their daily lives as residents look ahead to life beyond the pandemic.

These include taking up the Covid-19 vaccine when invited to and maintaining social distancing. Residents are also being encouraged to self-test twice a week if they are not showing Covid-19 symptoms. Regular testing is integral to managing any potential spread of Covid-19, particularly as people are now able to mix outside.

There is support available for anyone who tests positive and is required to self-isolate. ECC and the 12 borough, city and district councils in Essex have worked together to make it easier for people to get a £500 support payment if they need it.

People must, by law, self-isolate if they are told to do so by NHS Test and Trace or Essex and Southend contact tracing. It is now easier for people on low incomes to apply for a discretionary £500 payment if they’re unable to work from home while self-isolating.

Employed people who earn less than £500 per week (net), have household savings below £16,000, are not on benefits and meet other existing criteria are now eligible. This includes self-employed and zero-hours contract workers.

Dr Gogarty, said: “The actions Essex residents have taken over the past few months has seen the county go from one of the areas with the highest Covid-19 rates nationally, to the lowest in the East of England.

“However, as we look ahead to the further easing of national restrictions, it is likely we will see rates increase again. It is therefore imperative that everyone follows the guidance I have outlined in my letter to residents.

“These behaviours must become our new normal. As we head towards 21 June and beyond, our actions will truly be the difference between containing the virus and it potentially spreading significantly again later in the year.

“The virus is not going away but we can manage the risk by ensuring we all take steps and the responsibility to protect ourselves and our friends and family.”

Included with the letter will be a leaflet outlining the Essex roadmap. This includes key dates for re-opening of ECC services.

As restrictions ease, government street teams will also be on hand in districts across Essex to answer any questions about the vaccine and discuss the importance of twice-weekly testing. Teams will be available between 10am to 6pm on the following days and at the following locations:

Brentwood: Saturday 24 April – Chapel Ruins site, 44 High St, Brentwood CM14 4AJ
Maldon: Wednesday 28 April – All Saint’s Church, 36 High St
Chelmsford: Saturday 1 May – Asda, Chelmsford superstore
Harlow: Friday 7 May – Asda, Watergardens, Harlow
Basildon: Friday 30 April and Saturday 22 May – Asda Basildon Pipps Hill and Basildon Eastgate respectively