As the number of COVID-19 tests that can be taken each day is currently limited because there is a national issue with lab capacity, Barking and Dagenham Council is urging residents to only book a test if they have symptoms.

Residents should only book a test if they have at least one of the COVID-19 symptoms, (a temperature or a new, continuous cough, or loss of/change to their sense of taste or smell), or if they have been specifically advised to take a test, to make sure they’re not taking a test slot away from someone who really needs it.

As large outdoor events can’t take place right now and all of Barking and Dagenham Council’s ‘Summer of festivals’ events cancelled, we’re making it possible to bring the festival experience directly to the homes of our residents with the One Borough One Love Festival!

Barking and Dagenham Council has written to a number of major retailers operating in the borough reminding them of their responsibility to ensure shoppers are wearing face coverings and adopting other social distancing rules to keep the borough safe. The council is also asking for the views of its residents on helping to enforce these rules.

Following complaints from a number of residents, the council has contacted a number of major retailers, reminding them of their responsibility to alert shoppers of the need to wear face coverings while shopping.

Residents of Barking and Dagenham are being advised by the council to ignore a letter purported to come from the council telling them of a government scheme which can see them get a refund of Council Tax paid in the past five months.

The letter which on letterheaded paper with an old council logo is asking residents to verify their email addresses and provide an update with personal details of everyone living in the property. Residents are being warned that it is a fake as there is no such scheme being run by the government or the council.

Deuce Lounge in Barking has been served with a closure notice which will see it remain closed for up to two weeks for failing to follow guidelines on social distancing, bringing to a total number of seven the closures issued to such establishments in the borough since the easing of lockdown.

This Wednesday, 9 September, Barking and Dagenham Council paid tribute to the exceptional work of members of the Emergency Services by marking the Emergency Services Day, with a flag raising ceremony outside Barking Town Hall.

Emergency Services Day (999 Day) is a Government backed national day across the UK which takes place on 9 September each year. It is a chance for people to show their support for the selfless men and women who work and volunteer in the NHS and other emergency services. It is also aimed at promoting the work 999 personnel do.

Two people who were recently featured in Barking and Dagenham Council’s Wall of Shame CCTV Appeal series have been identified and fined £400.

The culprits were fined following a confidential tip-off from a member of the public and a further council investigation.

The Wall of Shame helps to catch people committing ‘grime crimes’ on the borough’s streets and continues to be a success – amassing a total of 260,000 views since it started in August 2018, as well as leading to the identification and fining of several of the borough’s fly-tippers.

Barking and Dagenham has announced that its green energy brand, Beam Energy, is set to shift its focus to renewable energy against a backdrop of a hugely changing energy market.

Set up by the council in December 2018, Beam Energy’s mission was simple. It was intended to provide 100% green electricity at competitive prices to its customers, in a bid to tackle fuel poverty across the borough.

Barking and Dagenham Libraries and Pen to Print are proud to host Readfest, a literary festival, now in its ninth year and will take place from Monday 7 September to Friday 25 September.

For those who enjoy reading, writing stories or reciting poetry, this is a wonderful opportunity to get involved as people will be able to virtually meet authors, discover new genres and celebrate the joy of reading through lots of fun events.

The first of three new COVID-19 test centres for Barking and Dagenham opened its doors to the borough’s residents.

This follows a successful bid for three walk-in centres within the borough, a COVID-19 test centre has opened today (Thursday 3 September) at Mayesbrook Park car park on Lodge Avenue.

The new test centre will make it easier for residents with symptoms of COVID-19 to get tested for coronavirus, near to their home, and is one of three coming to the borough.