Home COVID-19 COVID-19: Latest local & national updates (Thu 11 June)

COVID-19: Latest local & national updates (Thu 11 June)

Funerals, cemeteries, zoos, bubbles, parking and more

11 June 2020

Funerals: number of mourners allowed increased to 16
- Following new guidance from the Government, Birmingham City Council increased the number of mourners allowed to attend funerals from six to 16 as of 1st June.
Cemeteries & Crematoria opening hours extended
- Birmingham City Council have this week extended the opening times of their cemeteries and crematoria.
  - - Weekdays 4pm-7pm
    - Weekends 10am–5pm on weekends
      (Handsworth and Sutton New Hall differ)
- Visit the Birmingham City Council directory for more information on opening times for each individual site.

Household Recycling Centres begin Bookings Only operation
- As residents have continued to queue for several hours to access the city’s household recycling centres, Birmingham City Council are making some significant changes to improve the service.
- From Thursday 11th June, only residents who have booked a slot online in advance will be able to access the tip. If you have not booked a slot you WILL be turned away.
- Find out more and book
Parks facilities
- Parks’ tennis courts and multi-use games areas (MUGA) have opened for use:
  - For use by people from the same household (or ‘Bubble’ from Sat 13 June), or up to six people from separate households, whilst maintaining social distancing,
  - Please ensure good hygiene by carrying out hand washing before and after use,
  - Please do not use the facilities if you have any covid symptoms.
- Cllr John O’Shea, Cabinet member for Streetscene and Parks, said: “MUGAs and tennis courts are being opened up, following government guidance. Play areas and outdoor gyms remain officially closed, although we are aware that people are breaking this restriction, in place solely for safety reasons.”

Parking charges to recommence
- As businesses and retail begin to reopen, Birmingham City Council will reintroduce parking charges and enforcement activities from Monday 15th June
- Free parking for health and social care staff will continue.
- Read more
Bullring Markets reopen
- All Bull Ring markets will reopen on Tuesday 16 June 2020.
- Markets will be open on the usual trading days for each market.
- Reduced trading hours: 10am to 4pm.

Forming ‘Support Bubbles’
- From Saturday 13th June, a single adult household – a single person living alone or a lone adult living exclusively with children under the age of 18 – may form an extended ‘Support Bubble’ with another household, of any size.
- Members of Support Bubbles will be able to behave as members of one household, including:
  - Being able to meet indoors or out
  - Being less than 2 metres apart
  - Staying overnight
- In the same way, this also means:
  - Support Bubble members will have to follow any Test and Trace instructions – such as self-isolating / testing – as if they live in the same home
  - Support Bubbles should be exclusive to two households – one household must not change to include another and each household can only be part of one support bubble
- Full details

Places of Worship
- From Saturday 13th June
- Places of worship may reopen for individual prayer, following social distancing guidelines.
- At the moment, communal prayer is still not permitted.

Businesses and facilities reopening
- All non-essential retail businesses can reopen from Monday 15th June, as long as they can enable adequate social distancing and follow the COVID-safe guidelines.
- Similarly, outdoor facilities such as zoos, safari parks, drive-in cinemas may reopen. Indoor areas will remain closed and social distancing must be adhered to.
Face coverings
- From Monday 15th June it becomes a legal requirement to wear a face covering on public transport.
- Face coverings are also advised in enclosed spaces where you may come in to contact with others from outside your household eg shops.
- Homemade or informal face coverings are advised for members of the public.
- Some ideas for simple face coverings include a folded bandana secured with hair elastic or a scarf. Learn how to make your own – sew or no sew!

More information and updates at www.gov.uk/coronavirus