Haddington – Coronavirus Info

HDCC is committed to ensuring the everyone community is looked after and where is available to assist those in need. This page is to display the Latest information for the COVID-19 Virus (Coronavirus) for the local community covered by Haddington and District Community Council.  HDCC’s dedicated resiliency team stood down on 31st July 2020 and as of 21st January 2021 have not been reactivated by East Lothian council.

HDCC meetings have moved online.  please contact us if you wish to attend the meetings as a member of the public.

If you require assistance ELC will be picking up any assistance requests via public information line on 01875 824300 at any time or via their Website  https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/coronavirus

Please check our Facebook page for all up to-date posts on whats happening and information in the Area.  https://www.facebook.com/groups/HaddingtonCommunityCouncil/

If you have symptoms

If it is a medical emergency, always phone 999 

What to do if you have symptoms of COVID-19

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (the most common of which are a continuous cough, fever/high temperature, loss of/change in sense of smell or taste)  you should make an appointment through the NHS Inform website or telephone: 0300 303 2713 (open 7am-11pm. You will be advised where to go for a test. If you test positive, you must self isolate – support is available.

How and where to get a test

Getting tested if you have no symptoms of COVID-19

Almost 1 in 3 people who have COVID-19 don’t have any of the usual symptoms but are potentially passing the virus on to others. While good progress is being made with the rollout of the vaccination programme, the virus still poses a risk. That’s why local arrangements are in place for people without symptoms to get tested. Testing can help us to move to an even less restrictive way of life. It means you can find out if you are positive – even if you’ve received vaccination – and take immediate action to stop the spread of the virus, by self-isolating.

Options include visiting our testing centre in Musselburgh where you can get tested or collect a kit to take home, attending a mobile testing unit (see further details of both below), ordering home delivery of a testing kit online or collecting a testing kit from a local pharmacy.

Test centre for East Lothian residents with no symptoms

A COVID-19 testing centre aimed at identifying positive cases among people showing no symptoms is located at the former Stoneyhill Community Centre, Musselburgh.

Getting tested is quick and easy. No appointment is required and you can get tested more than once. The facility is open to everyone from East Lothian as long as you don’t have symptoms – a fever, cough, or loss or change of smell. If you do have symptoms, you need to book a test elsewhere.

You can also visit the facility to collect a test kit to take home.

Opening hours are 11am-6pm (Tuesday to Saturday). Address: 5 Stoneyhill Farm Road, Musselburgh, East Lothian, EH21 6RN

Find out more about the test centre.

Watch a video about community testing.

Mobile testing units

It’s also possible, even if you have no symptoms, to get tested at one of the mobile testing units currently being deployed around East Lothian. You don’t have to live in the community being visited on a particular day to get tested there. The current schedule is below. Times of operation are 10am to 6pm unless otherwise stated:

  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • Mercat Bar and Grill, Whitecraig
  • Loch Centre, Tranent
  • John Muir House, Haddington*
  • North Berwick Community Centre
  • Port Seton Centre
  • Loch Centre, Tranent
  • Dunbar Leisure Pool
  • Loch Centre, Tranent

Walk-in appointments are available. While appointments are not needed they are preferable as this will save yourself time. Bookings can be made from 6pm on the day prior to when you get tested online at: get a free test online or by phone: 0300 303 2713. When asked why you are booking a test, select: ‘my local council or health protection team has asked me to get a test, even though I do not have symptoms’.

* Scottish Water will be carrying out essential works on Court Street, Haddington, from 19 July until 6 August. The road entrance/exit to John Muir House via Brewery Park will be temporarily closed from 22 July. Access for anyone visiting the COVID mobile testing unit in the car park, will be via Neilson Park Road only.

Home delivery of rapid lateral flow test kits

Another option if you have no symptoms is get home test kits delivered to your home. Order free packs of rapid lateral flow tests online

Pick up a test kit from a local pharmacy

A number of pharmacies in East Lothian have stocks of rapid lateral flow test kits, which are suitable for home testing if you have no symptoms. You can check your nearest collection point online.

What happens if I do test positive for COVID-19?

You will need to self-isolate. Practical, confidential support is available within the testing facility, to support you and your household, if you test positive. We can give you advice on different financial help which is available. If you need general advice (not health advice), advice on self-isolation support grants, assistance with food or assistance with fuel poverty you can:

Other helpful telephone numbers:

  • East Lothian Council               01620 827827
  • 24 hour emergency line          01875 612818
  • Emergency Social Work          0800 731 6969

Further information on wraparound support available for self-isolation can be found by calling the National Assistance Helpline on 0800 111 4000.

What happens if I test negative?

You should continue to follow all national guidance including following current restrictions and physical distancing. Although you may not have the virus at this time, it is still circulating and there is a risk of catching it.

ASKING FOR LOCAL HELP

Getting help in the Haddington Area

  • If you need extra assistance, you can go to the ELC website for more information or they can call the dedicated Coronavirus helpline on 01875 824300 at any time
  • If you need to contact ELC’s Social Work services if there are concerns about someone who may be vulnerable and needing specialist assistance. The number to call is: 01875 824 309
  • Scottish Coronavirus Helpline 0800 111 4000 – open between 9am and 5pm
  • East Lothian Council accessing online services https://www.eastlothian.gov.uk/info/210574/emergencies_safety_and_crime/12488/coronavirus/8
  • Haddington Community Council resiliency advice number 07592 003 386 (11am-3pm Mon to Fri) 
  • NHS Hearing Aid batteries can be obtained from either visiting the council’s main offices or libraries or by contacting the Audiology service directly by email:  audiology@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk or by phone on 0131 536 1637 during the following hours:  Mon – Fri 10 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm.

Check out our Community Help page for a list of More numbers

Financial Support

East Lothian Council has received funding from the Scottish Government to support individuals at financial risk over the winter months. This funding is being used to:

  • Increase the grants available under the Scottish Welfare Fund, specifically Crisis Grants and Community Care Grants.
  • Increase the Discretionary Housing Payment Fund to assist tenants who have experienced new/increased rent arrears in 2020/21.
  • Create a new Fuel Insecurity Fund which can provide financial assistance to households in financial hardship and with fuel debts who may not be eligible for a Crisis Grant from the Scottish Welfare Fund.
  • Support to tackle food insecurity in our communities by providing support for community based food initiatives and support for the Fareshare Hub.
  • Additional funding for emergency payments from Children and Adult Social Work to support families, young people and vulnerable adults in financial hardship.

Details of these funding streams are available in the Financial Support during COVID-19 leaflet on the council website.

Mental Wellbeing

Parent and Child advice

Schools

It was announced before Christmas that most school pupils would learn remotely – rather than in school – until Monday 18 January.
The Government has now decided to extend the 18 January date and keep schools closed to the majority of pupils until 1 February. This will be reviewed in mid-January with pupils learning remotely.

ELC will initially be providing childcare and then education in school for vulnerable children and the children of key workers.

Protect yourself and others:

  • Please see the following OFFICIAL guides For more information.

remember these measures do not mean you lock yourself away completely.  Please use social media and the telephone to keep in touch and talk to people on a daily basis please use the facebook groups below.

LOCAL DOCTORS SURGERIES

See East Lothian Council’s Advice on Accessing GP’s  With effect from MONDAY 16TH MARCH ALL  GP appointments will be by TELEPHONE ONLY.  patients not to attend the practice without prior agreement.

Unless advised to do so by the hospital all appointments are still going ahead. you will be contacted directly if your appointment is cancelled.
If you are in any doubt please telephone the hospital on 0131 536 8300 who will have an update on the situation. (long wait to get phone answered)

Local Pharmacies

Pharmacies can deliver medicines, patients just need to contact their local pharmacy directly to arrange this.

    • Market Street Pharmacy – 01620 823557   22 Market Street, Haddington EH41 3JE  romanespharmacy.co.uk  PRESCRIPTION DELIVERY AVAILABLE
    • Right Medicine – 01620 822361   20 High Street, Haddington EH41 3ES  rightmedicinepharmacy.co.uk    PRESCRIPTION DELIVERY AVAILABLE
    • BOOTS – 01620 823349    35-36 High St, Haddington EH41 3EE,    boots.com

Main council office and library opening hours

John Muir House, Haddington                                   Mon – Fri 9 am – 1 pm
Brunton Hall, Musselburgh                                        Mon – Fri 10 am – 12 noon and 1 pm – 4 pm
Musselburgh Library                                                  Mon – Fri 10 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm
Haddington Library, John Gray Centre                      Mon – Fri 10 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm
Dunbar Library, Bleachingfield Centre                       Mon – Fri 10 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm
North Berwick Library                                                Mon – Fri 10 am – 1 pm and 2 pm – 4 pm

OFFICIAL COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Advice pages.

Advice for businesses

Official information on Retail Deliveries – https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-handling-of-planning-conditions-for-retail-deliveries-and-store-opening-times-chief-planner-letter/

VOLUNTEERING

Want to help out locally?

 

PAGE LAST UPDATED Jul 20, 2021 @ 8:37 AM