Brent Public Health Director is 'happy that risks of Covid transmission have been minimised' for students evacuated to Wembley Park

The Director of Public Health, Brent, Dr Melanie Smith, has responded to the transfer of students from  Notting Hill Genesis accommodation in Brentford to Grand Felda House in Empire Way, Wembley Park.

Dr Smith said:

 I can confirm that a number of students will be transferring this week from Brentford to purpose built student accommodation in Wembley Park.

This morning I reviewed, with Public Health England, the plans to transfer the students and to accommodate them in Wembley Park. I am happy that the risks of COVID transmission have been minimised. Self-isolating students are being re-accomodated with the same flatmates as they have had in Brentford. And, of course, the Tier 2 restrictions mean that students are not permitted to mix with students in other flats. 

This is clearly a difficult time for the students who are having to leave their new homes at a time when some of them are self-isolating because of COVID and we have also reviewed the support being provided to the students by their University and accommodation providers.

We will continue to monitor the situation on a daily basis

Sadiq Khan calls for new restrictions to be imposed early, rather than full lockdown when it's too late

 Following on from the previous two post this is a statement made by London Mayor, Sadiq Khan, today:

“The Prime Minister has said that we are now seeing the start of a second wave of COVID-19 across the UK. Londoners should also know that I am extremely concerned by the latest evidence I’ve seen today from public health experts about the accelerating speed at which COVID-19 is now spreading here in London. This is made worse by the uncertainty caused by the lack of testing capacity in the capital.

“This afternoon I held an emergency meeting with London council leaders, the Government and Public Health England to discuss the next steps. It is increasingly likely that, in London, additional measures will soon be required to slow the spread of the virus. We will be considering some of the measures which have already been imposed in other parts of the UK. I am of the firm view that we should not wait, as happened six months ago, for this virus to again spiral out of control before taking action. The best thing for both public health and the economy is new restrictions imposed early, rather than a full lockdown when it’s too late - but the government must urgently ensure there is a fully functioning testing system.

“I strongly urge all Londoners to be as cautious as possible over this weekend. Please think very carefully about your actions - strictly follow social distancing rules, regularly wash your hands and wear a face covering to help reduce the spread of the virus.”