National lockdown: A message from the Mayor of Lewisham

Yesterday the Prime Minister announced an immediate national lockdown to help control the spread of coronavirus, as rates continue to increase rapidly across the country.

After nine months of restrictions and personal sacrifices, this was the last thing many of us wanted to hear. But with infection rates in Lewisham at a record high, our local hospitals reporting a huge increase in patients suffering the effects of COVID-19, and over 300 local lives lost, it’s important that we work together to do everything we can to protect our borough from this awful virus.

We must now stay at home and only leave our homes for specific reasons, including:

• shopping for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
• going to work if you cannot work from home
• exercising with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area
• to seek medical assistance – including getting tested or vaccinated
• to escape domestic abuse.

People who are ‘extremely clinically vulnerable’ should not attend work, school, college or university, and limit the time they spend outside the home. They should only go out for medical appointments, exercise or if it is essential.

Schools and colleges remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. The Government has advised that all other children will be taught remotely until after February half term.

The Government has advised that restrictions will be reviewed in mid-February. You can find full details of what you can and cannot do on the Government’s website. The Council will continue to update its website with information about the impact on services.

I know the lockdown will come as a blow and will cause concern and anxiety, and I want to reassure you that the Council and our partners are doing everything we can to support our borough through this difficult time.

We’re continuing to work together to provide a wide range of support for residents, including mental health support and access to food and other essentials. You can find out more about the support available on the Council's website or call 020 8314 3535.

Please remember that if you are told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace, you must do so. You may be entitled to a £500 payment to help buy essentials while isolating. Find out more about the self-isolation support payment.

We know that this is a difficult time for local businesses too. When further details about the Government’s grants for businesses become available, we will share those details and get the funding to those who qualify as soon as possible.

Throughout the pandemic I’ve been very proud of the community spirit I’ve seen first-hand in Lewisham. The next couple of months will be difficult and will test us, but together we will get through this and I’m hopeful that, as these tough new measures – along with the vaccine roll-out – have an impact, we will turn a corner.

In the meantime, if you or someone you know need support, including help getting food or medicine, please let us know by calling 020 8314 3535.