CORONAVIRUS  PANDEMIC

                                      unfortunately we've had to suspend many of our weekly activities 
                                      we realise that this might leave some people isolated, lonely and afraid.                                             
                                       If we can support you in any way please let us know.                                                                      
                                       We have people who can just give you a call, help with shopping or pray for you.                         

                                       Above all, stay safe, stay positive and do all the things we CAN do - go for a walk, read a book,
                                        phone a friend or write a letter (and spring clean if you must!).                                                                    

                                        Smiles and kindness will help us all to survive this time.                                                                       
                                        Listen to the advice - and act on it.                                                                                                                         

                                                                                                                                                    

                                          Sending love and encouragement to everyone.


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                     This page will be updated as soon as new information becomes available. 

                                             latest information from Dudley website 4th october

                                                      We STILL need to remain vigilant 
                                             If you have symptoms you're advised to stay at home.

                                              FREE Test kits are available from pharmacies
                    There is also a testing site on Birmingham Street Car Park in Halesowen.

Dudley borough encourages residents to continue to remain vigilant as Coronavirus cases are on the rise. Whilst some legal restrictions have been lifted since entering Step Four of the roadmap, cautious guidance to reduce the spread of COVID-19 remains.

Step Four

From 16 August 

People who are fully vaccinated or under 18 will not need to self-isolate after close contact with someone who has COVID-19. You’ll still need to take a PCR test and self-isolate if it’s positive, or if you have symptoms.

From 19 July

England is no longer in national lockdown and many legal restrictions have been lifted. All adults have been offered a first dose of the vaccine. This means that social distancing and social contact restrictions can be removed, and all remaining businesses can reopen. People and businesses are encouraged to make informed decisions about how to manage the risk to themselves and others.

Some key protections remain in place:

  • symptomatic testing (PCR tests) and targeted asymptomatic testing (LFT tests) in education, high risk workplaces and to help people manage their personal risk
  • isolating when positive or when contacted by NHS Test and Trace
  • border quarantine: for all arriving from red list countries, and for those people arriving from amber list countries, other than those UK residents fully vaccinated in the UK vaccine programme
  • encouraging and supporting businesses and large events to use certification in high risk settings. Government will work with organisations where people are likely to be in close proximity to others outside their household to encourage use of certification

Government recommendations to reduce the spread of COVID-19:

  • Whilst Government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can, Government expects and recommends a gradual return over the summer
  • Government expects and recommends people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as on busy public transport
  • Spending time outside or letting fresh air in
  • Minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contact

Symptoms and advice

Play your part, protect Dudley borough

Anyone who has symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), should isolate immediately and get a free test.

Coronavirus symptoms, ANY of the following: 
  • a high temperature
  • a new, continuous cough
  • a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste

You should immediately self-isolate for 10 days and book a test online or by calling 119.

Do you have other symptoms?

Some Dudley borough residents who have tested positive for COVID-19 have displayed other symptoms. Though these are not the COVID symptoms, we would like to encourage residents to get tested as a precaution:

  • headaches
  • aches and pains
  • feeling very tired for no good reason
  • sore throat
  • runny nose
  • sneezing
  • tummy ache in children.



A PRAYER FOR US ALL:

                                                                May we who are inconvenienced remember those whose lives are at stake

      May we who have not risk factors remember the most vulnerable

                                                                         May we who have the luxury of working from home                                                                                                                                              remember those who  must choose between preserving their health and making their rent

May we who have the flexibility to care for children when their schools close remember those who have no options

May we who have to cancel our trips remember those who have no place to go

May we who are losing our margin money in the turmoil of economic market, remember those who have no margin at all.

May we who settle for quarantine at home remember those who have no home.

As fear grips our country let us choose love

                                                                       During this time when we cannot physically wrap our arms around each other,                                                                                          let us yet find ways to be the loving arms of God to our neighbours.    Amen



                    SO WHAT?
               WHAT ARE WE DOING TO HELP OUR NEIGHBOURS?

  •          We've been buying hand cream to donate to the nurses at Mary Stevens Hospice and Russells Hall hospital.                   it's not just "hands that do dishes" that get sore!
  •          we're knitting hats for premature babies and "twiddlemuffs" for people with dementia
  •          shopping, collecting prescriptions for folk who are self-isolating (AND sending them Rainbow pictures!) 
  •          making and delivering cakes to neighbours to share a (virtual)  "afternoon tea."
  •          phoning people who are isolated
  •          making bags for nurses to bring home their uniforms to launder AND little bags of JOY
  •           re-instating foodbank collections


                   "contact us" if you want to know more, if you have other ideas of how to help,                                               
                     if you have any needs of your own


A National Day of Prayer and Action has been announced by the presidents of