Coronavirus weekly update from Birmingham City Council
Welcome to the coronavirus weekly update from Birmingham City Council.
The update lets you know about Birmingham City Council’s services, public health information, general advice on Covid-19, and other relevant news from the council and our partners so that we can keep you informed. If you have friends and family who are not online, please share the information in this bulletin with them.
You can find a full suite of information about Covid-19 on the council’s website.
Following new government guidance, Birmingham City Council has reopened Birmingham Register Office so that marriage and civil partnership ceremonies can take place. In addition, the council has also reviewed measures that were put in place around funerals. The number of mourners allowed in attendance has increased from 16 to 30 people.
A new Covid-19 walk in testing centre has opened in Lozells. This is the fifth pilot site to be launched in England and will provide pre-booked test appointments for residents by calling 119 or via the NHS website.
We want to support Birmingham businesses manage the re-opening of non-essential retail, so a dedicated point of resource has been created on the council’s website to help with advice, information and guidance
The council has paid out over £2.7million of Discretionary Business Grants to struggling businesses. Small businesses that have suffered financial hardship due to Covid-19 were given the opportunity to apply for discretionary grant funding of up to £25,000.
Stay safe – outdoor gyms and playgrounds are now open again in our parks and open spaces – here are some simple hints and tips to avoid the continued risk of Covid-19.
An appeal to help thousands of city school pupils bridge the digital divide is ongoing.
Birmingham City Council has developed resources to support schools in teaching relationships and health education at primary schools.
Cllr Waseem Zaffar, cabinet member for transport and environment, has made a guest appearance on the Streets Ahead podcast, talking about his ambitions for cycling in Birmingham post-lockdown. In this episode, he talks about how cycling could be a key part of tackling health inequalities in inner city communities.
If you’re heading out this week, please keep safe: wear face coverings on public transport; keep a distance as much as possible; keep to the left; check how venues are operating. Let’s make this a safe and enjoyable space for everyone.
Birmingham & Solihull Women’s Aid supports women and children affected by domestic abuse. Webchat available Monday to Friday 10am-4pm.
The coronavirus outbreak isn’t stopping some popular festivals from taking place – they’ve moved online! Check out Visit Birmingham for more on upcoming online festivals during July: Almost Jazz Funk & Soul, 11 July; Sofasonic Festival, 17-19 July; and Simmer Lock-Down Festival, 18-19 July.