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Government Guidance on the use of Face Coverings from July 24th

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From 24 July, wearing a face covering in shops and supermarkets in England is to become mandatory.

The latest rules for shops will be enforced by the police, with anyone disregarding them at risk of a fine of up to £100. This will be reduced to £50 if the fine is paid within 14 days.

A face covering should:

  • cover your nose and mouth while allowing you to breathe comfortably
  • fit comfortably but securely against the side of the face
  • be secured to the head with ties or ear loops
  • be made of a material that you find to be comfortable and breathable, such as cotton
  • ideally include at least two layers of fabric (the World Health Organisation recommends three depending on the fabric used)
  • unless disposable, it should be able to be washed with other items of laundry according to fabric washing instructions and dried without causing the face covering to be damaged

You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to. This includes:

  • young children under the age of 11
  • not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
  • if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
  • if you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
  • to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others
  • to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you
  • to eat or drink, but only if you need to
  • to take medication
  • if a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering

There are also scenarios when you are permitted to remove a face covering when asked:

  • If asked to do so by shop staff for the purpose of age identification
  • If speaking with people who rely on lip reading, facial expressions and clear sound. Some may ask you, either verbally or in writing, to remove a covering to help with communication

Click here for instructions on how to make a cloth face covering.

Face coverings do not replace social distancing. If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (cough, and/or high temperature, and/or loss of, or change in, your normal sense of smell or taste – anosmia), you and your household must isolate at home: wearing a face covering does not change this. You should arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19.

If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), ask for a test to check if you have the virus.

If the test is positive you’ll be contacted by text, email or phone and asked to log on to the NHS Test and Trace website.

Gas Network Upgrade in Wickham Road, Croydon

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SGN has an upcoming project to upgrade the gas network in Wickham Road, Croydon. This project involves replacing the existing gas mains and services in the area with new plastic pipe.

The essential work will ensure the community receives a continued and reliable gas supply for many years to come. SGN are working closely with UK Government and public health bodies to make sure they carry out the project in line with all current coronavirus safety guidance.

SGN are looking to start work in Wickham Road on 27 July 2020. The project will be carried out by the contractor Essex Utilities.

In close consultation with Croydon Council and TFL, SGN have agreed to complete the following work:

On 27 July 2020 for approximately 6 weeks, they will be working on Wickham Road from outside number 598 to the junction with Bridle Road.

There will be a lane closure westbound on Wickham Road between the works, with two-way temporary traffic lights in place on Wickham Road to enable two-way traffic to use the road during the works.

Pedestrians will be asked to use specific passing points along the road to ensure social distancing can be maintained.

For safety, there will be road closures on Bridle Road and Monks Orchard Road at their respective junctions with Wickham Road.

Signed diversions will be in place for those wanting to access Monks Orchard Road via: High Street, Station Road and South Eden Park Road.

Signed diversions will be in place for those wanting to access Bridle Road via: Hartland Way, South Way and Shirley Way, or via Oak Avenue and Ash Road.

Marshalls on site will ensure residents’ vehicle access will be maintained throughout.

Please note, bus stops between the works will be suspended.

There will be extra safety precautions in place to protect colleagues and the community from the virus. Colleagues will be keeping to social distancing guidelines on the sites and they ask members of the community to keep their distance too.

For more information about the coronavirus response view the SGN website: sgn.co.uk/coronavirus.

Please feel free to share this information with anyone you think may be impacted by this gas works.

Planning News – Focused Intensification Area Removed from Shirley

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We have received correspondence from Sarah Jones MP (Croydon Central) which confirms that Shirley will NO LONGER be categorised as a ‘focused intensification area’.

Croydon Council’s Planning Update states:

‘It looks increasingly unlikely that significant improvements to public transport capacity in the area will be delivered over the period covered by the local plan and hence the area only has capacity for limited future growth.’

This has huge implications for Shirley, vindicating all we have been stating since the New Local Plan was adopted in 2018.

For further details on this new planning development, check out our latest Planning Report.

Biggin Hill Memorial Museum Reopens and Commemorates the 80th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain

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2020 marks the 80th Anniversary of The Battle of Britain.

The Battle of Britain was a major air campaign fought over southern England in the summer and autumn of 1940. After the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force from Dunkirk and the Fall of France, Germany planned to gain air supremacy in preparation for an invasion of Great Britain.

The pilots of RAF Fighter Command – made up of men from all over the Commonwealth and occupied Europe – were supported by a vast network on the ground, including mechanics, radar operators and factory workers, amongst many more.

Ultimately, the Luftwaffe was defeated by Fighter Command, forcing Hitler to abandon his invasion plans.

At Biggin Hill Memorial Museum we tell the story of Britain’s most famous fighter station through the personal experiences of those who served there, and the community that supported them.

The museum is situated on the same site as St George’s RAF Chapel of Remembrance, built in 1951 to preserve the legacy of those who served and died at Biggin Hill during the Second World War. The museum safeguards the future of this important building. Visit the website to discover more.

Croydon College and Coulsdon College ready to welcome students in September with physical and online courses

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Croydon College and Coulsdon College are preparing to support both teenagers and adults alike to educate, train and upskill them ready for the post-COVID working world when the new academic year starts in September.

Throughout the recent lockdown both Colleges have remained open providing support for pupils and staff but has also adapted to move teaching online and now has an expansive online learning programme across vocational, A Level, Degree and apprenticeship courses.

With the announcement by the Government that schools and colleges will be open to all students from September, the Colleges will be working throughout the summer to ensure that all COVID-19 safety measures are in place to make learning accessible and safe for all.

For those not able to attend in person, there will be continued online teaching with a dedicated tutor enabling everyone to access the course and qualification they need to progress their careers.

So whether you have just finished your GCSE’s and looking to take the next step, you are looking to take on a new degree, you want the opportunity to gain a qualification while working as part of an apprenticeship, you’ve been furloughed or made redundant and wish to upskill or you just want to learn something new – Croydon College or Coulsdon College has the course for you.

If you would like to talk to someone about your opportunities then every Wednesday the College will be holding weekly virtual advice clinics from 2pm – 4pm, inviting potential students to speak to them about their opportunities and how they can support both now and in the future.

You can also apply for any of the courses available online now with enrolment beginning in August.

Caireen Mitchell, Principal and Chief Executive, Croydon College said: “Croydon College has been here since the 1950’s successfully delivering education, training and skills to our community and despite this pandemic we will still be here in September continuing that work.

Since the start of the pandemic we have moved the majority of our learning online and the feedback we have had from that has been fantastic, students have really engaged and felt that their teachers have continued to support them to ensure their education has not been disrupted during these difficult times.

In September regardless of how much we can have face to face provision or how much is online we will still be able to provide education, training and skills to our community.

The Colleges have a winning combination of staff and fantastic facilities working together to ensure that students don’t just achieve their qualifications but can go on and reach their potential.”

Croydon College and Coulsdon College remains open and ready to support local businesses and residents. To register or for more information please visit https://croydon.ac.uk/ or www.coulsdon.ac.uk