Businesses across Harrow have been closing after the announcement on Monday from PM Boris Johnston that the public should limit social contact.
Stanmore Synagogue announced: “Until further notice, and with immediate effect, following the Government’s guidelines and as part of our Health & Safety risk assessment, the Honorary Executive with the full support of our Rabbinic team have taken the difficult decision that the premises and site of Stanmore and Canons Park Synagogue has been closed. This includes: all services including weekdays and Shabbat; and all activities, programmes and shiurim.
“Our Rabbinic team will be giving guidance via telephone, email, social media and online. You – our community – are our priority. You remain our overwhelming concern, and no one will be overlooked.
“We know that in all this uncertainty, there are many questions and concerns. We will try and reply to all of you, but understand that the immediate concern is to look after those who are vulnerable, and then to focus upon our greater community.”
Harrow Arts Centre has posted via their website and Facebook page: “In light of recent events, all performances at Harrow Arts Centre up to and including the 5thApril 2020 have been cancelled or postponed. We are currently in the process of contacting all our customers for these shows.
“We’re a small team and we’re prioritising performances due to take place this weekend but please be assured that all ticket holders will be contacted as soon as possible regarding transferring their tickets to a new date (if available), applying credit to their account to enjoy a future show of their choice or receiving a refund.
“Harrow Arts Centre currently remains open for classes and workshops but we would advise contacting your course tutor/leader prior to attending your class here in case they have taken the decision to postpone at all. We will post further updates as and when they become available.
“We continue to ask all customers to refrain from contacting the Box Office unless it is absolutely necessary to do so. Thank you for your patience during this unprecedented and difficult time.”
Wealdstone Baptist Church have also postponed activities and services, they said: “Yesterday evening, the Leadership Team met to discuss our response to the Coronavirus (Covid-19) situation.
“Following the statement by the Government on 17th March, and the advice of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, we have taken the difficult decision to postpone all our church meetings for the present time. This includes Sunday Services, small groups, children and youth activities, Toddlers, CoffeePlus and prayer meetings.
“We hope and pray that this won’t last very long, but at the moment we cannot tell. We have not taken this lightly. Paul tells us in Romans 13:1 “Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and those that exist have been instituted by God”.
“We believe it is important to play our part with the rest of society in preventing the unnecessary spread of the coronavirus and to protect those who are most vulnerable in our church and community.
“Whilst we are unable to meet physically, we will be doing whatever we can to stay in contact with our members in other ways while we go through this together. We are currently looking at broadcasting something on Sunday morning on the internet in place of the Service and will give more details once we have that arranged, along with any similar things mid-week.
“We aim to keep in regular contact with everyone via telephone, email and other means. The church staff (Ministers and Administrators) will be doing what work they can from home. Should you want to come to the office, please make an appointment via email (office@w-b-c.org.uk) or through the office phone number (020 8861 1972). The church answerphone will be checked regularly.
“We are aware that, at times like this, there may be a need in our community for some people to seek help or support from the church and we will be looking at how we might best do that.
“Please keep safe. If you or anyone in your household shows any symptoms of having Coronavirus, please follow the newly issued Government guidelines and self-isolate for 14 days. Should you have cause to do this, we urge members of the church family to let us know, so that we can find ways of offering appropriate pastoral support.
“Remember, the government guidelines are not to stop us meeting, but to help protect the most vulnerable. We might think that we might be ill for a bit and then get over it but the greater concern is that we pass it on to someone, who is more at risk, and then develops a life-threatening health issue.
“Lastly, please pray for our country, community and church. In such times of upheaval let’s remember that in Jesus “we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure” (Hebrews 6:19).
“We will continue to monitor the situation and issue further updates as the situation changes. On behalf of the Leadership Team.”
AJ Soccer in Harrow posted the following to parents: “In the light of the Prime Minister’s advice on the evening of MARCH 15 in relation to the spread of the Corona Virus and the need to implement social distancing in order to slow down the spread and to also protect the most vulnerable, it is with regret, AJ Soccer will suspend classes (we will implement a way of honouring your credit) with immediate effect up to the end of the Easter Term, with the view to reviewing the position for the summer term.
“Take care everyone, look after yourselves and your loved ones. Lee & The AJ Soccer Team xxxx”
Many other youth football clubs have also taken the decision to stop all training including Wealdstone Youth, Ruislip Rangers and St Joseph’s Youth amongst others.
Crepes Cafe in Wealdstone have also taken the decision to close. They have said: “In order to stop the spreading of Coronavirus we are going to be closed for undetermined time. Sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused. Thank you for your understanding”.
Whilst not closing, Elite Plumbing & Heating have offered free support to over 70s that might have issues with their heating or gas.
They said: “I will now be offering free FaceTime / WhatsApp support for the over 70s that have to self-isolate. The number is 07763857410 if you do not know how to use this feature on your phone, please ask someone that you know to help. All plumbing, heating and gas problems welcome.
“As I will be doing this personally I will only be able to help during normal working hours as I have to take care of my family in the evenings. This will continue indefinitely until normality is restored. Thanks”
(Image: Google)
