Oldham, along with the rest of England, is in a national lockdown. There is no exception for anyone who has received a vaccination.
Stay at home
Everyone should stay at home and only leave for the following reasons:
To go to work or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home – this includes key workers and those in the construction industry.
To shop for food and/or medicine for yourself or a vulnerable person.
To provide care or help to a vulnerable person.
To exercise – see below for specific rules.
To seek medical care or an appointment or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm, including domestic abuse.
To meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one.
To attend education or childcare if you are eligible.
More information on what a national lockdown means and the impact on businesses, the limitations on exercise etc. is available here: www.oldham.gov.uk/coronavirus
Who is included in the vaccination priority groups? Six vaccination centres are in operation across the borough to deliver the vaccine, alongside the Greater Manchester vaccination centre that is based at the Etihad campus.
Vaccinations are already underway in our borough for the four identified priority groups:
Older care home residents and staff
Over 70s
Frontline health and social care workers
Clinically extremely vulnerable residents
We aim to vaccinate these groups by mid-February. Other priority groups will then follow in age and potential risk order.
Vaccinations are also being carried out separately at care homes and hospitals in Oldham.
For more information on the COVID-19 vaccination, first phase priority groups click here. How you will be contacted for your vaccine If you are registered with a GP in Oldham, you will be contacted directly from your practice or an NHS representative when it is your turn to be vaccinated. You may receive a call from a mobile phone number but the caller will identify themselves.
If you live in Oldham but are registered with a practice outside the borough you will be contacted by representatives from that local authority area.
The caller will identify themselves and say they are calling on behalf of your GP and they are getting in touch about booking an appointment for a Coronavirus vaccine.
The caller will then offer dates and times for you to attend clinic. They will also give the location of the site where you will receive it. This may not be your usual surgery.
The Covid-19 vaccination is given in two doses. You will be given an appointment for your second dose three to 12 weeks after having the first dose.
The callers booking vaccinations will not ask for any other personal details other than asking you to confirm your name. They certainly will not ask for any money. Sadly, we have already been alerted to possible phone scams with callers asking for payment for access to vaccinations.
Once you have received the vaccination you must not drive for 15 minutes afterwards. You will need to remain in clinic until that time has elapsed.
It is important that you attend your vaccination appointment. But if for any reason you can’t, let your GP know as soon as possible so your slot can be offered to another resident.
If you are eligible and haven't been vaccinated by your GP already, you may also receive another invitation from the NHS offering you the option of attending the Mass Vaccination Centre at the Etihad Campus in Manchester or a local pharmacy. If you have already booked an appointment with your GP practice, you can ignore this letter.
Please share this information with your family and friends.
Free dose of vitamin D offer extended During autumn and winter, everyone is advised to take vitamin D to keep their bones and muscles healthy and to support their general health. This is particularly important if you've been indoors over the spring and summer as you may not have been getting enough vitamin D from sunlight.
If you're clinically extremely vulnerable from Coronavirus you can get a free daily dose of vitamin D. Apply before Sunday 21 February. For more information, click here.
Rapid testing Next week, Rapid Covid testing for key workers without symptoms will begin in Oldham. We've contacted businesses with details on how to access the sites. Booking is not required; however, you will need to bring ID. Full details can be found here.
Don't forget your flu jab Every year in England, the flu alone kills around 11,000 people and hospitalises thousands more. It’s important that anyone who is recommended to have a flu jab this year should get one. This is to reduce the risk of people catching flu and coronavirus at the same time which can be very dangerous.
We are appealing for two of the most 'at risk’ groups – pregnant women and 2–3 year olds to take up the offer of a flu jab. If you, or someone you know, is 'at risk' please book an appointment. For more information, click here.
Selective licensing Last year we launched a consultation to see if a selective licensing scheme for private landlords is needed in selected areas of the borough.
A selective licensing scheme aims to improve the management of privately rented properties – ensuring they have a positive impact on an area. The formal consultation involves residents, tenants, private landlords, businesses and other stakeholders. However, just weeks into the consultation period Coronavirus hit the borough. And although the consultation continued the impact of the virus meant the council has not been able to speak to and get the views of as many people as we would have wanted.
To ensure we speak to and get the views from as many people as possible, we are welcoming your input.
If you are a resident, landlord or business owner and would like to take part in the survey click here.
The results and final recommendations will then be reported back to the council for a decision. The consultation runs from January 18 until April 18.
Help with homeschooling For help with homeschooling we've put together a list of great resources to inspire you. Click here for more details.
Holocaust Memorial Day, 27 January 2021 Greater Manchester is standing together for Holocaust Memorial Day with an online service at 10am on 27 January. Join the Mayor of Greater Manchester with a candle to light in memory of those killed in the Holocaust and other genocides. Watch it online here.
Let’s Talk Budget We want you to have your say on our budget proposals.
We’re looking to save more than £30million as a result of the continuing financial pressures of the Coronavirus and increased demand for services.
We’ve come up with a range of proposals to cut spending and change the way the council operates. These proposals are now available to view here.
