Update from Tower Hamlets – Tier 4 rules – stay at home this Christmas

*** This article has been reposted from a Tower Hamlets Mayor communication ***


The government has announced that London has entered tier 4 restrictions to slow the spread of Covid-19.

We will be moving into new, additional coronavirus restrictions on Sunday 20 December to help combat the spread of the virus in the capital as rates are dangerously high and a new strain is spreading faster than previous strains. 

All non-essential shops must close, along with hairdressers, nail bars, indoor gyms and leisure facilities. People should not travel unless absolutely necessary, and work from home wherever possible. 

Household mixing will no longer be allowed on 23-27 December. The rules say residents must not leave the area nor mix with anyone outside their household, apart from support bubbles. It is important we follow the rules to keep everyone, particularly those who are older or more vulnerable, safe. 

An ‘infographic’ spelling out the rules is included above. But to spell out a few key points:

  • Faith gatherings are allowed provided there is no mixing and proper distancing but even then remember the virus is carried through droplets in the air so a face mask is the best way to keep you and others safe. 
  • And as we all know, the Christmas period, even if you don’t celebrate the Christian faith, is an important time for families to gather together. But because this virus is surging again we must all scale back massively our plans, not meet outside our ‘bubble’ and the rule the government suggested of 5 days with up to three ‘bubbles’ has now been withdrawn. 
  • So it’s going to be a very different Christmas. But I do want you to look out for your friends and neighbours who may be isolated by this. Call a friend. Meet, if you can, (just two of you, socially distanced) in a park or for a walk. And a single bubble can still work. But be very careful. 

I know these added restrictions are disruptive to both residents and businesses but they are in place to keep us all safe. We will continue to work with the government to increase testing and make the case for adequate economic support for Tower Hamlets.

Please play your part to #KeepTowerHamletsSafe. Check on friends, family and neighbours by phone. Uncertain times can affect people’s mental health, so it’s vital we look out for each other safely. A host of health and wellbeing resources are available.

We also have a dedicated phoneline for vulnerable residents to get support with self-isolation, supplies and urgent needs throughout the pandemic.

We will provide more local advice and updates soon. Until then, please read more in this newsletter and share the latest advice with your networks.

Stay safe, 

Mayor Biggs


Celebrate safely this Christmas, stay at home

Follow the new rules and play your part to keep our community safe, including:

  • Do not meet socially with anybody you do not live with, or who is not in your support bubble, indoors or in any private garden.
  • Hospitality settings, such as bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants can only operate takeaway, click-and-collect, drive-through or delivery services.
  • Reduce the number of journeys you make and work from home where possible.
  • Places of worship remain open, but you must not attend with or socialise with  anyone outside of your household or support bubble while you are there, unless a legal exemption applies.

The Government has also reintroduced shielding for clinically vulnerable people in all areas entering Tier 4.


Get a Covid-19 test in Tower Hamlets 

Following a worrying rise in Covid-19 cases across London and in Tower Hamlets, we have expanded testing capacity in the borough. It remains extremely important that residents book a Covid-19 test if symptomatic. 

We continue to operate local testing units in Shadwell, Mile End, Isle of Dogs and Billingsgate. Appointments at all testing sites can be booked by calling 119 or online.

In order to protect yourself and other people, please remember to wear a face covering when going for a test. If you’re attending a walk-in test centre, please walk or cycle and avoid public transport or taxi. Don’t go if you’re very unwell or at high risk (shielding) from coronavirus – choose a home test instead.

COVID-19 Tier 3 restrictions update from Tower Hamlets

*** This article has been reposted from a Tower Hamlets Mayor communication ***


The government has announced that London is entering tier 3 – very high alert – from Wednesday morning, 16 December.

With cases of Covid-19 rising so rapidly this change is necessary to stop the virus spreading in bars and restaurants and other places where people might mix. While shops remain open I urge you to be extra careful to prevent transmission in the run up to Christmas. Remember, you’re potentially infectious for 10 days after getting Covid-19, even if you do not have any symptoms. 

It remains critically important to avoid mixing with other households inside – as this is one of the main ways that infection is rising again in our borough. 

Check the rules to see how the change of tier impacts on you.

I know these added restrictions are disruptive to both residents and businesses but they are in place to keep us all safe. We will continue to work with the government to increase testing and make the case for adequate economic support for Tower Hamlets.

Please play your part to #KeepTowerHamletsSafe. Do also check on friends, family and neighbours by phone. Uncertain times can affect people’s mental health, so it’s vital we look out for each other safely. A host of health and wellbeing resources are available on our website.

We also have a dedicated phoneline for vulnerable residents to get support with self-isolation, supplies and urgent needs throughout the pandemic.

Stay safe,

Mayor Briggs


Update on School Streets consultation

With reference to our communication on  7 December on the Council’s School Streets proposal and having run our poll, we note only a relatively low  response rate (30%) with an equal number of residents agreeing and disagreeing to the proposal as presented. A further five residents agreed with qualifications or concerns.

Consequently the Board does not feel it is appropriate to make submissions on behalf of the entire estate as there is no representative collective view. We therefore suggest those residents who have not yet responded to Tower Hamlets to do so on an individual basis  online or via mail before the  deadline of 18 December 2020.

Schools Streets consultation – St Luke’s Primary and Canary Wharf College

You may have received a survey through the post in relation to School Streets proposal from Tower Hamlets regarding traffic restriction changes to Saunders Ness road.

Proposed School Streets changes for Saunders Ness road and surrounding area

We are aware that the demographic in the estate has changed with more young families with children attending the affected schools. A number of residents have asked if Plymouth Wharf should express a collective view, which may have more weight than individual answers.  Whilst reducing street traffic on Saunder Ness school is in principle a good idea, concerns have been expressed over the proposal, particularly on the impact on parking on our stretch of the road.

In order for PWRA to make representations on behalf of all residents, and in order to be sure to express a majority view on what might  be a controversial subject, we would like to conduct a mini-poll. Note that the Tower Hamlets consultation survey closes on 18th December, therefore we should be grateful to receive your answers by 10 December latest.

The PWRA poll (open to both shareholders and tenants) can be found here:

https://us19.list-manage.com/survey?u=74177838413281aa7a31c069f&id=a8d91be43f

The link to the original Tower Hamlets consultation survey can be found here:

https://talk.towerhamlets.gov.uk/schoolstreets/survey_tools/stlukescanarywharf

If no consensus is received, we will advise you so, to enable you to express your view on an individual basis before the deadline.