COMMUNITY PAGE

With effect from 04 April face mask laws are to be replaced with guidance only in Scotland - making it the last UK nation to scrap the rules. 

The first minister said masks would no longer be needed at places of worship, weddings and funerals from 4 April, with the requirement covering shops, schools and public transport ending on 18 

April. Ms Sturgeon told the Scottish Parliament the laws would instead become guidance. 

HOWEVER:  those who wish to continue wearing a mask while in church are more than welcome to do so; A  separate area will be designated for mask wearers if they prefer to continue to socially distance.  We would advise that everyone continues to follow  all guidance and be particular about hand hygiene and perhaps hold back  on hugs meantime! 

TDEC (Disasters Emergency Committee) represents 15 leading charities and the UK government is match funding up to £20m. https://www.dec.org.uk/  

 Also:  Red Cross: https://donate.redcross.org.uk/appeal/ukraine-crisis-appeal      

UNHCR – United Nations Refugee Agency:  https://donate.unrefugees.org.uk/ukraine-emergency/~my-donation  

UNICEF – UNITED NATIONS CHILDREN’S AGENCY: https://www.unicef.org.uk/donate/donate-now-to-protect-children-in-ukraine/   

Oxfam: https://www.oxfam.org.uk/oxfam-in-action/current-emergencies/ukraine-crisis-appeal/ 

Prayers - are so important at a time like this and we can all say a few words whatever age.  

  Local Authorities across Scotland, including Midlothian Council, are being encouraged to make asymptomatic testing available to their communities via local testing centres.  

This community testing initiative aims to further drive down COVID-19 rates and reduce transmission by identifying positive cases in individuals who have no symptoms and as such are unaware they may be infectious and spreading the virus.

To make coronavirus asymptomatic testing available to all, the Midlothian Council Rapid (COVID-19) testing programme has been developed and, over the next  eight weeks, will open in sequence at  three locations across Midlothian. The situation will then be reviewed and further testing opportunities will be made available, taking into account the overall situation. It may be that if hotspots are identified,  specific sites may also need to be opened at short notice.

Sites have been chosen to provide accessible facilities for local residents to prevent the need to travel to get tested. 

The initial Midlothian Site for Community testing (using lateral flow devices (LFD))   will begin on Tuesday 20 April 2021 when our first centre opens in Mayfield and Easthouses Church, 2 Bogwood Rd, Mayfield, Dalkeith EH22 5DG.  We are grateful to the Church for permitting use of the building.

This centre is being operated primarily  by colleagues from the Military who have been supporting the vaccination and testing programmes across the country for several months. They will be supported by Midlothian Council employees who will then operate the later centres.

We would be grateful for your help and support in promoting the availability of the testing facility to the local community.

The success of the community testing scheme will depend on persons attending these local centres so that we can continue to identify cases and  break the chain of transmission of the virus.

Midlothian residents will be able to check which sites are open by visiting www.midlothian.gov.uk/get-tested ( launching  weekend of 16th April 21)  for the latest locations, opening dates and times. 

At time of writing there is no evidence to indicate that Mayfield, Easthouses, or indeed any other local Midlothian area is experiencing unusually high numbers of covid-19 cases and our aim is to continue to take steps to suppress the virus wherever possible.

Getting Tested

· Location :  Mayfield and Easthouses Church, 2 Bogwood Rd, Mayfield, Dalkeith EH22 5DG.

·  Opening Hours: 11am to 6pm Tuesdays to Saturdays inclusive for a two week  period ( 20th-24th April  & 27th April - 01 May 2021)

· Walk-in (no appointment required).

· Who should attend: Anyone living or working in and around Mayfield and Easthouses who does not have COVID-19 symptoms.

Why get tested if you have no symptoms:

Persons can get and transmit coronavirus to friends, family and others without experiencing any symptoms.  By identifying these individuals we can further reduce the spread of the virus.

By participating, people will be helping to fight the pandemic and will provide valuable information about asymptomatic infection rates in the community.

In addition, in relation to the Scottish Government’s recent announcement regards universal testing, coming along to a local community test centre will provide an opportunity for persons  to ensure that they can conduct swabbing of their tonsils and / or nostrils correctly, meaning that future home testing is more likely to be carried out effectively.

How are residents informed:

Those living locally will receive a postcard delivered to their home advising of the testing centre, the hours of opening and inviting them to attend. The website www.midlothian.gov.uk/get-tested ( launching  weekend of 16th April 21) will provide up to date information.

Information will also be shared on social and local media. We also request that you assist us to share the message and testing programme information, e.g., though your organisation’s Facebook page if you consider that appropriate.

What does a test involve?

Asymptomatic persons attending site will register their details,  self -test using lateral flow devices ( ie they will conduct a swab of tonsils and/or nostrils), leave the sample for processing and then return home.   The results will be  provided thereafter to the device they registered with at time of testing. Results may be sent via-text message, email, or to a  landline for those with no access to a smart device. 

Can I get tested more than once?

As the test results only reflect the situation at the time of the test and circumstances can change, persons can attend for testing on more than one occasion.

Further information:

If an attendee tests positive to a LFD test.

Anyone testing positive will be asked to self-isolate and book  a PCR test to confirm the result.  Advice on how to book a test and the support available to those requiring to self-isolate will be provided at the test centre.  It will also be available on the Midlothian Council website 

Timescales

The asymptomatic testing programme is currently expected to last six months although this may be extended. Midlothian residents will be able to check which sites are open by visiting www.midlothian.gov.uk/get-tested for the latest locations, opening dates and times. Residents will also find useful information on practical and financial support available in Midlothian should they need to self-isolate.

Persons with symptoms

Anyone with the symptoms of Covid-19 (a new continuous cough, temperature, loss or change in sense of taste or smell) must not come to the asymptomatic test site  but  visit  nhsinform.scot to book a PCR test or call 0800 028 2816 if they cannot get online.

Universal testing

The First Minister announced on Tuesday 6th April  the intention for the Scottish Government to make a universal offer of regular (home) LFD testing to anyone who wants it. We await further information regards the announcement. However it is  understood that the scheme  is to operate in tandem with local authority asymptomatic testing sites. As information on this initiative becomes available we will seek to incorporate this into the programme. It is understood the universal testing offer may be launched before the end of April.

Edel M Ryan

Environmental Health Manager |Midlothian Council |Fairfield House|8 Lothian Road |DALKEITH |EH22 3NP

Environmental Health Duty Line 0131 271 3345

E: Environmentalhealth@midlothian.gov.uk

Midlothian Council: The council has now moved to critical service delivery only and will now focus on our core statutory duties.  To enable this, the council is suspending responses to enquiries or complaints about its service provision and will instead be focusing its efforts to prioritise its statutory services, caring for the vulnerable, cooperating with their Resilience Partners and supporting economic recovery.  More info https://www.midlothian.gov.uk/info/360/community_safety_and_crime/622/coronavirus and #KindnessMidlothian

Charities: OSCR has provided guidance for charities about things like cancelling your AGM. Please note their warning that you may not have the powers in your governing document to change your activities to respond to coronavirus, and remember you need to notify them if there will be a major impact on your organisation due to coronavirus. They have given additional guidance here  OSCR

Information: SCVO have consolidated a lot of useful information into one place https://scvo.org.uk/support/covid-19

Red Cross: The Red Cross in Midlothian are providing telephone welfare calls and emergency food shopping for people. Our office number is 0131-654-0340. 

Service changes:  Midlothian Sure Start has now closed 4 of its centres, with Paradykes and Woodburn open for core cover.

Grassy Riggs - new contact numbers for staff new contact numbers: 07309 277 591 & 07309 282 979 

Cyber Security: Please remain vigilant with your emails.  Message from Police: 'Scammers are sending out coronavirus-themed phishing emails which attempt to trick people into opening malicious attachments or revealing sensitive information about themselves such as personal and financial details. In the same way that we have seen fake TV licensing and HMRC emails, we are now seeing phishing emails claiming to be from organisations affiliated with the Centre for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organisation (WHO). There have also been some variations on current scams with fake emails appearing to be from HMRC offering a tax rebate due to the Coronavirus.'

Employers: ACAS has updated its guidance for employers ACAS

Resources for Mental Health:Free online courses for supporting mental health in the workplace in light of coronavirus: BritSafe

National Emergencies Trust:There is now an appeal for funding to help people most affected by the coronavirus. https://nationalemergenciestrust.org.uk/

Local CLL Workers: A CLL worker has now been allocated to work with each Community Council, and the associated community responses:

Penicuik                             Paul Johnson                                                    paul.johnson@midlothian.gov.uk

Bilston/Roslin                   Rhona More                                                     rhona.more@midlothian.gov.uk

Gorebridge                        Gillian Cousin                                                  gillian.Cousin@midlothian.gov.uk

Dalkeith/Woodburn       Brian McGuff                                                    brian.mcguff@midlothian.gov.uk

Mayfield                            Richard Bryce                                                   richard.Bryce@midlothian.gov.uk

Newtongrange                 Sandra Davidson                                             sandra.davidson@midlothian.gov.uk

Eskbank/Newbattle        Sharon Dalgleish                                             sharon.dalgleish@midlothian.gov.uk

Moorfoot                          Janet Smith                                                       janet.smith@midlothian.gov.uk

Tynewater                        Sharon Armstrong                                         sharon.armstrong@midlothian.gov.uk

Howgate                           Lesley Cairns                                                      lesley.cairns@midlothian.gov.uk

Damhead                          Alasdair MacQuarrie                                   alasdair.macquarrie@midlothian.gov.uk

Bonnyrigg/Lasswade      Catherine Duns                                                catherine.duns@midlothian.gov.uk

Poltonhall                         Alistair McDonald                                           alistair.mcdonald@midlothian.gov.uk

Rosewell                           Gael Belton                                                        gael.belton@midlothian.gov.uk

Loanhead                         Julia Ellison                                                         julia.ellison@midlothian.gov.uk

Danderhall                        Isabel Pattie                                                      isable.pattie@midlothian.gov.uk

There are many Community Groups within Pathhead and the surrounding  area.  Below is a list of contact details for some - but not all, of those groups. 

 if you know of a group who would like to be added to the list, please use the form on our "contact us page" and send your link to the webmaster. 

Community Gardeners - Pathhead and District - tforrest@sky.com

Historical society -  www.falahistsoc.org.uk

Humbie Film Box  -   w.humbieboxoffice.co.uk

Gorebridge Community Hub.  http://gorebridge.org.uk/thebeacon -
Community Cinema in Temple.  http://www.moorflix.org.uk -
Wednesday walking groups  -  d.richardson170@btinternet.com

Pathhead village Hall - 

Pathhead Players amateur Dramatic Society  -  ttps://pathheadplayers.weebly.com/     find them on facebook

Fala Community Council  -   rozy.mcdougall@gmail.com>

North Middleton Village Community Hall  -  carrie.bennett58@gmail.com   http://www.middletonvillagehall.org.uk    (see our facebook page)