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This Newsletter has been produced by the Petersfield COVID-19 Network. It is intended to help and inform Petersfield residents, especially those who are unable to leave their homes because of Government restrictions. 

If you have information which would be of benefit to other residents in Petersfield please contact Romsey Mill with details and we will consider using it in future newsletters. 

If you know someone who would like to receive the paper version of this newsletter, please ask them to contact Romsey Mill via phone or via post: Romsey Mill Centre, Hemingford Road, Cambridge CB1 3BZ (you do not need a stamp if you add “FREEPOST CB1067”) or call 07933 671101. 

Romsey Mill can also offer assistance by putting you in contact with volunteers, who can help collecting shopping and medication. 

For all residents experiencing other Covid related issues (e.g. needing help while they isolate, or experiencing financial hardship support) speak to a member of the customer services team at Cambridge City Council.  Telephone 01223 458780 or contact Simon.Aslett@cambridge.gov.uk or complete an online help request form here https://www.cambridge.gov.uk/coronavirus

Latest infection statistics in Cambridge

Public Health England data indicate there were 11 new cases of Covid-19 in Cambridge for the week prior to the 23rd September. However given the difficulty in getting a test which has been well-publicised nationally, this may be an under-estimate.

Using the New Tracing App

Those people who have a smartphone can now download the NHS tracing app. Go to the App store on your phone and search for NHS COVID-19, which you can then download. This will notice and log other nearby app users. If any of those users later test positive for coronavirus, you will receive an alert and advice. 

The app will also tell you the risk level in the area in which you live. On the 24th Sept., the risk level in the CB1 area was Medium. 

If visiting a pub or restaurant you will be asked to provide contact information or you can check in using the official NHS QR code scanned through the app.

The Next Six Months

The Government announced new measures to control the spread of the virus, which they expect to remain in place for the next 6 months. These include:

• Customers in private hire vehicles and taxis must wear face coverings (from 23 September).
• Customers in hospitality venues must wear face coverings, except when seated at a table to eat or drink. 
• Office workers who can work effectively from home should do so over the winter.
• Businesses will need to display the official NHS QR code posters so that customers can ‘check-in’ at different premises using this option as an alternative to providing their contact details.
• Support groups must be limited to a maximum of 15 people (from 24 September).
• Indoor organised sport for over 18s will no longer be exempt from the rule of six. There is an exemption for indoor organised team sports for disabled people (from 24 September).
• Weddings and civil partnership ceremonies and receptions will be restricted to a maximum of 15 people (down from 30). Other significant standalone life events will be subject to the ‘rule of six’ limits, except funerals (from 28 September).
• Businesses selling food or drink (including cafes, bars, pubs and restaurants), social clubs, casinos, bowling alleys, amusement arcades (and other indoor leisure centres or facilities), funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls, must be closed between 10pm and 5am. This will include takeaways but delivery services can continue after 10pm (from 24 September)

The Turn2us Covid-19 Crisis Fund

The Covid-19 Crisis Fund has been set up to support people who have lost their income as a result of the coronavirus (Covid19) and to meet their immediate basic household expenses.

To be eligible for the Covid-19 Crisis Fund, you will need to have had at least a 50% reduction in your earnings as a result of the coronavirus. If you are part of a couple, the main applicant needs to be the person who has had the 50% reduction to their income and evidence will be needed to confirm this change of income.

Please login or sign up to our website to complete a grant application. If you are unable to access the website, it may be useful to ask a trusted friend to assist in filling in the form online.