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‘I urge everyone in Crawley to protect themselves and their loved ones’ – MP calls on residents to download new COVID-19 app

Published

4 months ago

on

Henry Smith MP has called on people in Crawley to download the new NHS COVID-19 app, which has now launched across England and Wales following rigorous testing and successful trials.

The NHS COVID-19 app will alert users if they have been close to someone who later tests positive for coronavirus, as well as providing risk alerts based on a user’s postcode, allow users to scan QR codes to check in at venues on the app and allow people to book tests, if they have symptoms.

Henry said;

“Recent days have been a stark reminder of the threat that coronavirus still poses to our community. The new NHS COVID-19 app will be an important tool for helping to reduce the spread of the virus.

“I urge everyone in Crawley who can to download this new app as soon as possible, to protect themselves and their loved ones.

“Of course, it’s vital that we all continue to follow those golden rules of Hands, Face, Space, and that people self-isolate when told to do so.”

The app works by logging the amount of time you spend near other app users, and the distance between you, so it can alert you if someone you have been close to later tests positive for COVID-19 – even if you do not know each other. The app will advise you to self-isolate if you have been in close contact with a confirmed case.

The UK’s major mobile network operators, including Vodafone, Three, EE and O2, Sky and Virgin, have confirmed that all in-app activity will not come out of customers’ data allowance.

Businesses are now required by law to display NHS Test and Trace QR code posters so customers with the NHS COVID-19 app can use it to check-in to venues. So far, more than 90,000 businesses have already downloaded QR codes.

The app has been through successful trials in the Isle of Wight, Newham and among NHS Volunteer Responders and lessons learned have informed the final version that is launching today.

The Secretary of State for Health & Social Care, Matt Hancock, said;

“We are at a tipping point in our efforts to control the spread of this virus. With infection rates rising we must use every tool at our disposal to prevent transmission, including the latest technology.

“We have worked extensively with tech companies, international partners, and privacy and medical experts – and learned from the trials – to develop an app that is secure, simple to use and will help keep our country safe.

“Today’s (24th Sept) launch marks an important step forward in our fight against this invisible killer and I urge everyone who can to download and use the app to protect themselves and their loved ones.”

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Coronavirus

Council announce service changes as Crawley moves to Tier 4

Published

4 weeks ago

on

24th December 2020

By

With Crawley being placed under tier 4 restrictions from Boxing Day, several Crawley Borough Council buildings and services will close or operate differently.

The Town Hall, which is now closed for the Christmas and New Year holiday, will remain closed from Monday 4 January until further notice.

Despite this, the councils services will continue to operate and will be providing additional services for the most vulnerable residents and distributing the latest round of grants to local businesses once they have received guidance from the government.

With the Town Hall closed, there are several ways to continue to access council services.

Visit crawley.gov.uk for service information and my.crawley.gov.uk for access to rubbish and recycling updates for your home, your Council Tax account and our extensive library of forms.

To pay by debit or credit card you can do so online at crawley.gov.uk/payments, over the phone by calling our automated payments line on 01293 438312 or at your bank.

The full list of changes is:

  • The Town Hall closed to the public at 4pm on Wednesday 23 December
  • K2 Crawley and the Broadfield 3G pitch will close at 4pm on Christmas Eve
  • The Bewbush Centre Gym will close at 2pm on Christmas Eve
  • Tilgate Nature Centre will close on Christmas Eve
  • Community centres will be closed and only open for pre-schools and crèches if schools are closed
  • The Hawth will close on Christmas Eve after the performances of the pantomime and A Christmas Carol. The pantomime has been filmed and will be available to watch on The Hawth’s website at hawth.co.uk
  • The Employ Crawley Youth Hub will continue to operate with virtual appointments from 4 January. To arrange an appointment call 07814 903871 / 07909 730956 or email employcrawley@crawley.gov.uk
  • All public toilets will close except the toilets next to the car park at Tilgate Park. All toilets will remain accessible to people with a Radar Key
  • Tennis courts and multi-use games area will only remain open for use with others within your household, support bubble, or with one person from another household.

Waste, recycling and garden waste collections will continue, although these will be on different dates due to Christmas and New Year.

To find your dates and to download your 2021 calendar visit crawley.gov.uk/waste-and-recycling/household-collections/collection-days

Pest control and housing repairs will continue as they have over the past few months. All council play areas and outdoor gyms will remain open although as resources for cleaning them are limited they are to be used at people’s own risk.

Applications for tier 4 business grants will open shortly. More details about how to apply will be published when the council receives guidance from the government.

Councillor Peter Lamb, Leader of Crawley Borough Council, said:

“We all must do everything we can to help reduce transmission, the sooner we can get rates back under control the sooner we can return to normal, and that includes local authorities.

“While all council workers will continue to work hard for the town through this period, some facilities will have to close and the way we deliver others will have to change in order to help stop the pandemic spreading.”

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