Across the country, the largest vaccination programme in UK history is being rolled out. The local NHS Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is working very hard to deliver jabs, starting with priority groups who are at most risk from Covid-19.

The top three priority groups are:

residents in a care home for older adults and their carers
all those 80 years of age and over and frontline health and social care workers
all those 75 years of age and over

Nearly all over-80's in Waltham Forest have already been contacted, and the next group who will soon start to receive invitations will be those aged 75 and over. You can see a full list of priority groups on the Government website here.

People will be invited to receive a vaccination by their GP. Please wait for your GP to contact you. They are extremely busy and need all the help and understanding we can give them at this time and that means being patient. The Government has said that the supply of the vaccine will increase over coming weeks which we hope will increase the local rate of delivery even more. You can find answers to many common questions about the vaccine here.

Getting tested is still important. We have recently launched an additional community test site at Aldriche Way Community Room, 118-132 Aldriche Way, E4 9LZ. This test site will be offer Lateral Flow Tests (LFTs) to residents who are not experiencing symptoms and will open every day from 10am - 7pm.

You can find the details of all testing centres in Waltham Forest and how to get a test on this webpage.

It has been fantastic to see so many residents getting tested over the last couple of weeks and I'd like to thank every single one of you for doing your bit to protect our community.

Stay Safe Waltham Forest.

Where to get tested this weekend

Test and Trace

Local test sites offer quick and efficient testing for residents and help you be sure you and your family are safe.

Got symptoms?

Open every day 7am - 9pm:

Stanley Road, Leyton E10 7EQ
Linford Road, Walthamstow E17 3LS
Church Lane car park, Leytonstone, E11 1HG (walk-in only; 10am to 5pm Sat 16 Jan, then 8am - 8pm daily)
Richmond Road car park, Chingford, E4 7BN (9am to 3pm)

No symptoms?

Open every day 10am - 7pm:

Chingford Assembly Hall, Station Road, E4 7EN
One Hoe Street, Walthamstow E17 4SD
Jubilee Centre, Cathall Rd, Leytonstone, E11 4LA
Aldriche Way Community Room, below 118-132 Aldriche Way E4 9LZ

With 1 in 3 people with Covid-19 not experiencing symptoms, it's really important to get yourself tested.

More info on test sites

Vaccinations and what you need to know

The local Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) is leading on vaccinations in Waltham Forest. Many over-80s in the borough have already been contacted and invited to receive their first jab, and NHS staff and frontline care workers have also started to receive their first doses.

We know that the vaccine is the route out of lockdown restrictions and that many of you will be very keen to receive yours. We urge you to be patient and to wait until you receive a vaccine invite from your GP. Please do not call to order a jab - you will not be able to do this. The vaccines are being offered to priority groups who are at more risk of becoming seriously ill.

As with any medicine, vaccines are highly regulated products. There are checks at every stage in the development and manufacturing process, and continued monitoring once they have been authorised and are being used in the wider population.

If you have questions about the vaccine, you may well find the answer you need on this FAQ page.

Keeping your family and friends safe

Test and Trace

If you're heading out for an essential reason this weekend (work, food, medical care or exercise) then you must:

Not meet socially with people you do not live with or who are not in your support bubble
Wear your face covering if you can
Keep at least two metres from people you do not live with
Wash your hands regularly

You can leave your home for exercise with:

Your household
Your support bubble
One person from another household, if you are on your own

Do not meet with other households, this can bring great risk to you and your family. Wash your hands with soap and warm water if you leave your house and then again when you return.

Follow the rules

Changes to large item and garden waste collections

Our waste contractors Urbaser have been working extremely hard throughout the pandemic to keep our neighbourhoods clean. Unfortunately due to Covid staff sickness at Urbaser reaching critical levels, some services have been temporarily suspended.

To ensure that household rubbish and recycling collections continue, garden waste collections will be temporarily suspended from Sunday 17 January and new large item collection bookings were temporarily suspended as of Thursday 14 January.

All residents who already have collections booked in please be assured that these will take place as planned.

The crews are working very hard so please do all you can to make their lives easy. Park considerately, and please leave bins for collection at the edge of your property.

We apologise for any inconvenience and appreciate your understanding.

More info

Play Safe Champions

Play Safe Champion at Lloyd Park

Parents and children who do not have access to a garden or outdoor space will be able to use the most popular playgrounds in Waltham Forest with confidence after the Council placed Play Safe Champions to help people follow social distancing laws.

Redeployed Council staff, who have all been DBS checked, will be on hand at 21 of the busiest playgrounds to offer advice on following social distancing guidelines and to keep playgrounds from becoming too busy. The champions will have free, reusable face masks to distribute to those who would like one as well as simple, clear FAQ sheets on staying safe.

The Play Safe Champions will wear masks while they work and follow social distancing guidelines at all times.

Worshipping safely

Earlier this week, many local faith groups came together and made a joint decision to close their venues for in-person worship until the Covid-19 infection rate drops to a safer level in Waltham Forest.

This was a courageous decision to go beyond the current Government guidelines to keep the community safe. We support our faith leaders and are extremely thankful for their firm action, which will help to save lives.

When people have started to receive the vaccine and restrictions are loosened, we will be able to meet again and celebrate together. Until then, please remember to follow social distancing guidelines to protect our elderly and vulnerable family members and neighbours.

We have seen the incredible response from our community in Waltham Forest and know that despite all the restrictions we have found new ways to connect and rise to the challenges we face. Our diversity is our strength, and together we will beat this pandemic.

Read the full statement and list of signatories here.

Subscribe Information and advice regarding Coronavirus (COVID-19) is changing quickly and its important you keep up to date with those changes. The Council will be using email newsletters to keep residents and businesses up to date.