COVID-19 (coronavirus) weekly update from Birmingham City Council 2021-06-11 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 Covid-19 news Around one in three people who have COVID-19 have no symptoms and could be spreading it without knowing. Testing twice a week for people without symptoms will help stop the virus spreading – and is playing a vital role in keeping life moving for us all. Free COVID-19 tests are available for all adults in England. Find out all you need to know about testing. To reduce the risk of COVID-19 entering our schools, families should continue taking rapid tests twice a week. Remember to wash your hands regularly and open up windows to let fresh air in. And if you’re out and about this weekend, remember to keep a safe distance from others to help stop the spread. Have you been told to self-isolate? It's important that you do to protect others – but it can be tough, so the council and Healthy Brum have put together some practical tips and support to get you through. The COVID vaccine has the same expected high standards of safety, quality and efficacy as other medicines and vaccines. The vaccine reduces chances of hospitalisation by 85%. You can book your COVID-19 vaccination appointment online or by calling 119 if you are aged 25 or over. COVID support payments of £500 are available if you have to self-isolate. You may be eligible if you are on low income, can’t work from home, face financial hardship or have a child who is self-isolating. For latest updates and advice on Coronavirus, please visit the government website. Local news Birmingham's Clean Air Zone is now here. Charging commences on 14 June 2021. If you are subject to the charge, find out how to pay and read more information. The council has launched a website dedicated to hosting the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games. Be Birmingham contains the latest on the Alexander Stadium and much more! The council has joined a growing movement of cities, towns and districts standing up for responsible tax conduct. Council leaders have agreed to approve the Fair Tax Foundation’s Councils for Fair Tax Declaration. On 23 June, we will be holding our very first public Climate Assembly. This is your chance to hear an update on Birmingham’s progress to net zero carbon, following the publication of our Route to Zero Action Plan earlier this year. With less than 30 days to go before the deadline, protect your family’s rights in the UK by applying to the EU Settlement Scheme by 30 June 2021. Great news that Aston Hall Museum is reopening on 7 July! The magnificent Grade 1 listed mansion reopens its doors with brand new displays that explore the fascinating lives of the Hall’s residents and its colourful historic past. Remember to pre-book! With plenty of sunny days at the moment, keep your kids safe in the sun. The Triple Zero City Strategy sets out how we think we should tackle drug and alcohol addiction across Birmingham – and you’re invited to share your views about the plan. The consultation closes on 2 August 2021. The Healthy City Planning Toolkit – designed to help Birmingham become a 'health-giving' city, where the environment and surroundings offer opportunities to support and improve the health and wellbeing of the population – is currently out for consultation, until 30 June, and you're encouraged to have your say. Council questions? Did YOU know you can contact our council Customer Services team on Twitter, to help you with any service enquiries you may have? Use this account: @BCC_Help .