Recent coronavirus updates
13 April
Central Library rapid test centre closed
Our Central Library rapid test centre has had to close on account of a water leak and may remain closed tomorrow morning to enable repair works. We will post an update when it reopens. Apologies for the inconvenience.
12 April
Latest issue of e-LutonOur regular e-newsletter, e-Luton, has been sent to over 32,000 Luton residents today.
12 April
Mobile rapid testing busThe mobile rapid testing bus will be coming to your area soon to make testing even easier.
April dates and venues:
- Thursday 15 and Friday 16, Wigmore District Car Park, Wigmore Lane, LU2 9TA
- Tuesday 20, Club Lewsey, Pastures Way, LU4 0PF
- Thursday 22 and 29, Inspire, Luton Sports Village, Butterfield Green Road, LU2 8DD
For more information see our Coronavirus testing page .
12 April
Latest guidance and health adviceSome of the rules on what you can and cannot do changed on 12 April. However, many restrictions remain in place. You must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with, unless you have formed a support bubble with them, or another exemption applies. You should continue to work from home if you can and minimise the number of journeys you make where possible Read more latest guidance and health advice.
You can read the COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021 (the roadmap) for more information on how COVID-19 restrictions will be eased in England. It is underpinned by law.
1 April
Residents urged not to be complacent to Covid-19 regulations over the Easter weekendPeople across Bedfordshire are being urged not to become complacent and continue to play their part in ensuring cases of Covid continue to fall. Read more.
31 March
Latest guidance and health adviceWe have updated our Clinically extremely vulnerable and clinically vulnerable groups section with further guidance.
30 March
We’ve added new videos to our Vaccines page.Religious festivals guidance. Religious festivals guidance.
We have put together the latest guidance and advice for forthcoming religious festivals, holy days and celebrations in Luton during the COVID-19 pandemic.
29 March
England is no longer in lockdown but Coronavirus restrictions remain in place.Find out what you can and cannot do.
19 March
Latest issue of e-LutonOur regular e-newsletter, e-Luton, has been sent to over 32,000 Luton residents today
8 March
Latest guidance and health adviceWe have updated our Latest guidance (including lockdown rules) section with further guidance.
5 March
Latest issue of e-Luton
Our regular e-newsletter, e-Luton, has been sent to over 32,000 Luton residents today.
2 March
Mobile testing busFor a trial period a mobile COVID-19 rapid testing bus will be available in areas of Luton.
26 February
Latest issue of e-LutonAn e-newsletter has been sent to over 32,000 Luton residents.
24 February
Schools reopening in March 2021The prime minister has announced that schools will reopen to all pupils from 8 March 2021.
22 February
Vaccine video urges residents to ‘take the jab’
19 February
Read about updates to the latest guidance and health advice for high and medium risk medical conditions.
18 February
Latest statistics
The COVID-19 cases and deaths in Luton webpage has been updated with latest figures.
12 February
Latest issue of e-LutonAn e-newsletter has been sent to over 32,000 Luton residents.
10 February
Video messages from NHS LondonDoctors, nurses and other frontline staff about the importance of getting a COVID-19 vaccine in various languages.
8 February
PPE for unpaid carersIf you are an unpaid carer, find out how you can request for Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
8 February
Vaccination updateWe have updated our vaccine page with further guidance for frontline social care workers on COVID-19 vaccine deployment.
5 February
Latest issue of e-LutonAn e-newsletter has been sent to over 32,000 Luton residents.
1 February
Updated COVID-19 informationWe have updated the following COVID-19 pages with more information.
22 January
Latest issue of e-LutonAn e-newsletter has been sent to over 32,000 Luton residents.
21 January
Latest statisticsThe COVID-19 cases and deaths in Luton webpage has been updated with latest figures.
16 January
Covid-19 test centres reopening this afternoonTest centres will reopen at the following times:
- Lewsey Community Centre: 1.30pm
- Farley Community Centre: 2pm
- Luton Central Library: 2pm
The original decision was made at 6.30am when it was snowing, for the safety of residents and staff. Clearly the weather has improved so we've made the decision to reopen.
16 January
Covid-19 test centres closedDue to snow and for the safety of the public and our staff, our rapid test centres at Lewsey and Farley community centres and at Luton Central Library are closed today.
15 January
Read the latest edition of our digital newsletter e-luton.
11 January
COVID-19 Vaccine sectionWe have updated our campaign toolkit and translations page with information on the COVID-19 Vaccine.
11 January
Updated COVID-19 information
We have updated the following COVID-19 pages with more updated information.
- Information on coronavirus page
- COVID-19 vaccines page
- Coronavirus testing page
- Latest guidance and health advice page
8 January
Covid-19 resources for childrenWe have updated our toolkit page with information on a new website, Storicise that helps children better understand COVID19 testing and how to stay safe during the pandemic.
6 January
Latest issue of e-Luton and news articleAn e-newsletter has been sent to over 32,000 Luton residents and a news article was released regarding the national lockdown.
5 January
5 January
National lockdown poster
5 January
Other than in exceptional circumstances (such as public exams), all schools and settings in Luton are currently open for vulnerable children and children of critical workers only. All other children will be undertaking remote learning at home.
Please see the school's website for more details.
See school closures page.
4 January
National lockdown
The prime minister has announced tonight another national lockdown in place as of 4 January. This means you must stay at home, apart from limited exemptions.
- See full details on our Latest guidance and health advice webpage
4 January
Schools and educational establishments
We have updated information on our schools and educational establishments page.
3 January
An update on primary schools, Sunday 3 January, 8.30pmWe have written to the government requesting that urgent reconsideration be given to the national decision that primary schools in Luton should reopen this week. The government has indicated it will consider our request this week so we have written to all primary school headteachers in Luton today outlining our full support for any decision they make this week, based on their individual risk assessments and likely staffing levels.
Whatever decision is made by individual schools, all schools will be open for vulnerable children and children of key workers. There will be no fines in Luton at present for any parents who choose to keep their child at home.
31 December
Latest issue of e-LutonAn e-newsletter has been sent to over 32,000 Luton residents highlighting the key message for Luton: tier 4 (stay at home).
Update to schools page following announcement by Department of Education on change to school reopening dates for Spring Term
30 December
Following the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock’s update this afternoon, Luton continues to remain in Tier 4. Numbers continue to remain dangerously high in Luton, so please play your part and follow the tier 4 restrictions.
30 December
Marriage or civil partnership ceremonies cancelled
Unfortunately, due to the government’s recent announcement that Luton is now in Tier 4, we are unable to hold marriage or civil partnership ceremonies until further notice.
- For more information, visit our Marriages and civil partnerships webpage
24 December
Travel ban on passengers travelling from South Africa
The government has implemented a travel ban to protect public health following the South Africa COVID-19 outbreak.
24 December
Covid-19 vaccination payment scams
Some elderly residents have been called by fraudsters and asked for payment to receive the Covid-19 vaccine.
- For more information visit our Covid-19 scams webpage
24 December
Latest statistics
The COVID-19 cases and deaths in Luton webpage has been updated with latest figures.
23 December
Residents urged to follow restrictions to stop Covid-19 spread over the Christmas period
Local Authorities, Bedfordshire Police and health bosses across Bedfordshire and Luton are urging everyone to follow Tier 4 rules across the Christmas period as Covid-19 cases rise sharply across the region.
- Read more here
22 December
Updated Coronavirus testing section
We have updated our Coronavirus testing page with more information.
22 December
21 December
During the last wave of the pandemic we know some people didn’t always come forward with health concerns so it’s important to remember that the NHS is still open for patients.
20 December
20 December
20 December
18 December
The coronavirus latest guidance and health advice page has been updated with tier 4 information, which comes into effect at midnight tonight (Friday 18 December). Please make sure you've read and understood the new tier 4 restrictions.
18 December
17 December
Luton moves up to Covid19 tier 3 (VERY HIGH alert) from Saturday 19 December
Luton moves up to Covid19 tier 3 (VERY HIGH alert) from Saturday 19 December, please read more information before the changes start.
17 December
Latest statistics
The COVID-19 cases and deaths in Luton page has been updated with latest figures.
15 December
Translated coronavirus messages
We have updated information on new translated resources, including some on face coverings.
14 December
Business support grants
Three grants are now available including the Additional Restrictions Grant which supports businesses including those which supply the retail, hospitality, travel and leisure sectors, or those in events and aviation and also those outside the business rates system. There are also two Local Restriction Support Grants.
11 December
Coronavirus cases worryingly high
Read more about the current Covid situation and other news in this week’s e-luton.
4 December
Luton now in tier 2: High Alert
Read more about our tier 2: High Alert and plus more COVID-19 information in our e-luton newsletter .
4 December
New Coronavirus testing section
We have added new Coronavirus testing page with information on rapid testing plus more .
3 December
3 December
As non-essential shops are re-opening, parking restrictions in residential areas and car park charges are now reinstated.
Resident Permit Holders will be provided with extensions on any current permits equivalent to the lockdown period.
Visit our parking page to find out more.
3 December
Latest statistics
The COVID-19 cases and deaths in Luton page has b een updated with latest figures.
1 December
27 November
26 November
- government places Luton in tier 2: HIGH alert
- latest video message from Luton’s Director of Public Health and the lead councillor for health and wellbeing
25 November
Rules for meeting up at Christmas
The government has announced a temporary relaxation of restrictions between 23 to 27 December to allow up to three households or bubbles to come together at Christmas.
For more information, please see the following guidance on the UK Government website.
24 November
PM's statement
PM’s statement for Covid 19 Winter plan outlining next steps post lockdown.
17 November
Social distancing guidance
We have uploaded the updates guidance in different languages and alternative formats
17 November
New national restrictions translated posters
we have uploaded posters in different languages .
13 November
Latest national and local funeral guidance
See the latest national and local advice for those arranging and attending funerals.
11 November
New restrictions poster and video
We have added new resources including an new national restrictions BSL video.
11 November
Councillors help taxi and private hire trade keep safe
Councillors Javed Hussain, Khtija Malik and Abbas Hussain recently distributed sanitisers and face coverings to taxi and private hire trade drivers
11 November
Luton's coronavirus cases rising at an alarming rate
Luton’s coronavirus cases rising at an alarming rate. A joint statement from councillor Khtija Malik, portfolio holder for public health and Lucy Hubber, Director of Public Health (interim).
11 November
Religious, faith groups and places of worship update
We have updated our pages with the latest guidance for the safe use of places of worship.
- Visit our religious, faith groups and places of worship page
6 November
Lifting of some parking restrictions
Due to the new national restrictions we have lifted parking charges in council off-street pay and display car parks and enforcement of regulations that apply to resident only parking places. All other restrictions remain in place, for example single and double lines, red routes, bus lanes, loading bays and on school entrance markings.
6 November
The Vale
Due to the new national restrictions the cemetery is unfortunately closed to visitors except those who need access to attend a funeral or burial, attend a commemorative events celebrating the life of a person who has died, or to pay respects to a member of their household, a family member or friend. The book of remembrance will be closed during this period.
5 November
New restrictions posters and guidance
We have added new resources including an easy read version for those with learning disabilities.
5 November
We have updated our pages with the latest guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable (previously shielding) and clinically extremely vulnerable residents.
4 November
Read this important coronavirus message from council leader Hazel Simmons MBE and Lucy Hubber director of public health (interim)
1 November
The prime minister has announced tough new measures for England, to take effect from 00.01hrs on Thursday 5 November. We've summarised the key changes on our advice and guidance page.