Observer column: 20 August 2021

The COVID-19 vaccination programme in our town continues and we can get our vaccinations at one of the pop-ups clinics or at the Hastings Centre. The best way to protect ourselves from the virus is to get both our jabs but there are still many people here who haven't even had their first vaccination yet so please talk to your family and friends about how important this is.

You can find up to date information on our website. It is also essential that we continue to be considerate and protect others by wearing a mask in indoor public places whenever we can.

The government have changed the rules so if you have had both vaccinations and come into close contact with a person with the virus (second one at least fourteen days before contact) you don't need to self-isolate unless you test positive too.

The virus is still with us and is still dangerous and the number of cases in our town remains relatively high. Our NHS workers are exhausted, and we need to help them to continue to help us by behaving in a cautious manner and thinking carefully about our actions.

Next weekend is Hastings Pride and the council has helped the organisers with the planning of the event. There will be a parade from Cornwallis Car Park at 11am on Sunday 29 August, with the event officially opens at noon at the Oval. This year's theme is Back to the 80s so dig out your leg warmers and re-set your perm for a fun day celebrating the fabulous diversity of our town. The St John's Ambulance will be there operating as a pop-up vaccination clinic so you can have your jab at the same time as having fun.

Our annual canvass which allows us to ensure our electoral register is correct and up to date has begun.  We will be contacting people in a variety of ways: letters, text messages, telephone calls and some home visits. Any emails will be from hastings@householdresponse.com Please respond when you are contacted. If you aren't on the register, you can't vote in elections.

As a 'City of Sanctuary' we stand ready to welcome and support people from Afghanistan as they seek refuge and I know the people of our town will open their hearts and respond with compassion and kindness. The government must ensure that towns such as ours receive the financial resources we need to resettle families harmoniously in their new communities.