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Coronavirus: National lockdown

Oldham, along with the rest of England, is in a national lockdown.

As part of step one of the Government's roadmap out of lockdown, there will be further limited changes from Monday 29 March. Outdoor gatherings of either six people or two households will be allowed, providing greater flexibility for families to see each other. This includes in private gardens.

Outdoor sports facilities, such as tennis and basketball courts, will be allowed to reopen, and people can take part in formally organised outdoor sports.

At this point, the Stay at Home order will end, although many lockdown restrictions will remain.

For example, you should continue to work from home where possible, and overseas travel remains banned, aside for a small number of reasons.

We are Oldham
Although the Government’s roadmap to cautiously ease lockdown restrictions is underway, and we're all looking forward to getting back to normal, it is really important that you continue to follow the guidance.

There is no exception for anyone who has received a vaccination. Stay safe and stop the spread. We are Oldham and by working together we can get back to the things and people we love.

Further information on the latest guidance is available here: www.oldham.gov.uk/coronavirus
Collect your testing kits
From Monday 29 March, the locations that people eligible for family home testing can pick up free testing kits, is changing to:
👉 Lees Library
👉 Crompton Library
👉 Failsworth Library
👉 The Link Centre (Oldham Town Centre)

Those eligible includes:
👉 Households, childcare and support bubbles of early years children, nursery children, primary and secondary-age pupils and college students.
👉 Households, childcare and support bubbles of staff of nurseries, primary and secondary schools, and colleges.
👉 Anyone who works in an occupation related to a childcare provider, school, nursery or college, and their household, childcare and support bubbles.
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Calling all budding young artists
We are asking our young people to come up with some colourful drawings, artwork and ideas using the theme of ‘What are you most looking forward to doing?’ once lockdown restrictions finally end. Once the young artists have finished their creations it would be great if they then put the designs in the window and shared them with us via our social media: Twitter @OldhamCouncil ([link removed]) and/or Facebook @loveoldham ([link removed]) making sure to use the hashtag #WeAreOldham.

This is part of a wider campaign involving the community which aims to show Oldham is getting ready for restrictions ending but being mindful that we still all have to do our bit to keep Coronavirus infections down.
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Give our Coronavirus Engagement Team a wave
Next week our Doorstep Coronavirus Engagement Team will be in Westwood and Hathershaw. They will be chatting to residents and sharing the latest information. Please note: our teams always carry Oldham Council identity.
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Free school meals over Easter
Food vouchers of £15 per week (total £30) for each eligible child and young person will be available over the Easter break for families of children eligible for means tested Free School Meals, families on low incomes with pre-school children aged 0-5 (using Free School Meal eligibility criteria) and for Care Leavers under 25. Young people eligible for Free School Meals at Oldham College and Oldham Sixth Form College will also be supported as part of this initiative. For more information click here ([link removed]) .

Remember if you find yourself in a financial emergency phone the Oldham Council helpline on 0161 770 7007.
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Burning is bad for the environment
Got some garden or allotment waste to dispose of? Rather than having a bonfire consider composting or recycling your waste. It's much better for the planet. For information on getting rid of your rubbish responsibly click here ([link removed]) .
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Have you completed the census yet?
​​​​​​​​​​​​If you missed Census Day on Sunday don't panic, there’s still time to fill it in. Please be aware that it is an offence to supply false information or to not complete the census. For more information, click here ([link removed]) .
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We're getting bigger bins
Soon you'll be seeing new and bigger street bins being installed across the borough. Bagged dog waste can also be put in the bins – so there's no excuse for dog fouling.

The bins will also help the council reach its target of becoming carbon neutral by 2025 as they don’t need non-recyclable plastic bags, thousands of which are used each year. In addition, new solar powered bins will be installed in Oldham Town Centre. To read more about this, click here ([link removed] ) .
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Are you interested in Northern Roots?
From Creative Writing Competition winners and community food growing, to new job appointments and Board of Directors recruitment you can find the latest news from Northern Roots here ([link removed]) .
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Game on
Good news – we’ve refurbished the Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) in Lower Memorial Park, Failsworth so sports stars of all ages can play on it when the borough’s outdoor sports pitches, including basketball and tennis courts, are reopened on Monday 29 March.
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For more information and advice about council services, visit
** www.oldham.gov.uk/coronavirus ([link removed])
** ([link removed])
** Facebook ([link removed])
** Twitter ([link removed])
** Email (mailto:[email protected])
** Website ([link removed])

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Oldham Council . Civic Centre . West Street . Oldham, OL1 1UT . United Kingdom