For real time information: https://oldham.roadworks.org/

This was slightly delayed while the Council ensured this was OK with the family.

Book of condolence for former Councillor Angie Farrell

For real time information: https://oldham.roadworks.org/

Shows max three hour parking area for local businesses – starts next week.

Our amazing NHS staff wouldn’t be able to deal with the pandemic without your help. Whether you help keep the shelves stacked or the streets safe — thank you. Join us at 5pm this Sunday, the #NHSBirthday, in saying #ThankYouTogether.

Oldham current rates of infection

Since the Government’s announcement of a local lockdown in Leicester there has been a lot of speculation, both in the media and online, about the possibility of further local lockdowns with Oldham named as one area that currently has high rates of infection.

The data shows that, while Oldham’s figures are higher than the Greater Manchester average, our current rate of infection is nowhere near that of Leicester and the number of cases has reduced over the last two weeks.

Nationally, information is gathered on the number of positive tests per 100,000 population* in the last seven days.  Data up to 28 June shows that Oldham has a rate of c. 28 positive tests per 100,000 population.

Council	Number of positive cases per 100,000
Leicester	135
Oldham	27.8
Bolton	21.6
Bury	6.3
Manchester	15.2
Rochdale	28.8
Salford	6.2
Stockport	5.8
Tameside	15.5
Trafford	3.4
Wigan	4.0

By comparison, neighbouring Rochdale has c.29 per 100,000 and the Greater Manchester average is c.13. Leicester has a rate of around 135 per 100,000 – almost four times Oldham’s rate.

Figures will change daily and are influenced by the number of tests carried out.  As a result, changes in testing provision – for example additional mobile testing capacity or the introduction of a new testing centre is likely to influence the rate of positive tests per 100,000 population.

It is worth noting that Oldham has one of the highest rates of testing in the country and we are working to further improve access to testing for local people.  Throughout June the MOD run mobile testing service visited Oldham several times and is due to visit for ten days at the start of July providing an additional 300 tests per day.  We have also opened a new walk-in testing centre in Oldham Town Centre.

However, we cannot afford to be complacent.  We recognise that these figures are higher than we would like, and we are working hard to reduce our rates of infection.

What are we doing in response:

• We requested and have confirmed additional testing capacity in the borough from the mobile testing facility over the coming weeks
• Engaging with communities to ensure testing is targeted in the most effective way
• We are working with the Department for Health and Social Care to make more testing available for vulnerable groups (those with substance misuse issues, learning difficulties and those who are homeless) through testing in services
• We are writing to key employers in the borough to offer tests to their staff who are not showing symptoms but may be at risk of spreading the virus, for example, taxi drivers and food businesses
• We are strengthening and further promoting key public health messaging ahead of this weekend’s lockdown easing
• We are participating in weekly calls with Public Health England to discuss local data and agree any further local measures that may be needed.

How we would respond should an outbreak occur?

Oldham has published a Covid Management Plan which outlines the measures needed to prevent the spread of the outbreak and the steps we will take should a local outbreak occur.  Our outbreak plan is available on the council’s website

https://www.oldham.gov.uk/downloads/file/6384/covid-19_management_plan

*This figure includes both Pillar 1 (tests from hospital labs) and Pillar 2 (tests from mobile testing centres and commercial testing units). Pillar 2 data has only recently been made available to local authorities giving us a much clearer picture of infection rates.

Oldham Library is reopening – with a few changes that we are asking people to make a note of.

From Monday, July 6 there will be a limited range of facilities, such as checking out books and using the computers.

Due to social distancing rules visitors won’t be able to browse the bookshelves.

Instead, people will be able to choose from one of the genre packs we’ve prepared, each containing three books.

Children’s books will also be available, with genre packs for different age groups.

All available books will have been quarantined for 72 hours.

The library will be open Monday to Saturday 10am to 5pm.

The Lifelong Learning Centre and Gallery Oldham are not currently open to the public while they are being prepared to open safely. Services are continuing to be delivered online.

Adults will be able to access to IT – for a maximum of one hour, per day, per customer – at set times.

The toilets, café, gallery shop, children’s library and the study space will remain closed, for now in line with government guidelines.

For up to date information about what services and facilities will be available visit www.oldham.gov.uk/libaries

Follow the link below for the list

From Saturday 27^th June, all household waste recycling centres across Greater Manchester will be open 7 days a week. People will be able to take most items for recycling. For the full list please visit https://recycleforgreatermanchester.com/

Items that people can’t take to the recycling centre are:

• Textiles, clothes and shoes
• Asbestos
• Plasterboard
• Food waste

We are asking people to follow social distancing measures on site, which are:

• Stay two metres (six feet) away from other visitors and staff at all times.
• Two people from the same household may leave their vehicle only to carry large items.
• Other passengers must remain in the car
• Only visit if you really need to

Vans under 2 metres will also be allowed access from Monday 29^th June for residents to bring their household waste. However no trailers are allowed. The visit limits introduced in February this year remain in place:

• Cars can visit up to 52 times a year
• Vans under 3.5 tonnes can visit 18 times a year
• Vans over 3.5 tonnes can visit 12 times a year

Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) and CCTV is in place across all sites to monitor vehicle visits and there is strictly no trade waste accepted.

Any traders wanting to bring their waste should use the weighbridges at the recycling centres as trade waste isn’t accepted through the household waste recycling centres.

A new contactless payment system is being introduced for traders who do not have an account at the recycling centres, and PPE must be worn at all times.

For real time information: https://oldham.roadworks.org/