Campaign launched in Havering to help reduce spread of coronavirus

The van will be driving around Havering to spread awareness about the campaign

People in Havering are being encouraged to continue playing their role in reducing the spread of coronavirus.

A campaign called #DoingMyBit has been launched, which will see an advertising van driving around the borough, and leaflets will be distributed.

Mark Ansell, the local council’s Director of Public Health, said: “Havering has been a model borough when it comes to residents and businesses embracing the severity of Covid 19 and its potential impact on public health and our local economy. 

“All across the borough, from Romford to Rainham, from Hornchurch to Harold Hill, residents are already doing their bit to prevent a local lockdown. However, we cannot be complacent and we must be vigilant. 

“The virus remains a very real threat and it is crucial that we keep playing by the rules so that we protect each other, our jobs and our livelihoods.”

Councillors and senior officials from Havering Council stand in front of the new bus (credit: Havering Council)

The number of cases reported in Havering in the week ending Friday, 21 August was 19.

That was marginally higher than the previous week, but levels of the virus have remained low since May.

Damian White, the leader of Havering Council said: “With cases going down and lockdown easing, it’s important that we still are vigilant and do our bit to make sure this terrible virus doesn’t come back again.

“This is now the right point for us to counter any form of complacency and to make people realise how dangerous this virus can be if we’re not prepared to all pull together and think about the community benefits of doing what we can to stop this virus coming back.

“The alternative is having a local or national lockdown and the harm that would cause, not just to the economy but to people’s lives. We need to do everything we can to make sure this doesn’t come back again.”

Cllr White also said that until there is a vaccine, people will have to continue being vigilant, including by encouraging friends and family to follow guidelines.

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