Information on Coronavirus

Advice and Information – 4 August 2020

Read the advice and information from NHS England, Public Health England and Northamptonshire councils about the Coronavirus.

Last updated: 18/05/2021

This page will be updated once further guidance is available. To check the latest Government guidance, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

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Roadmap out of lockdown

The ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’ provides a roadmap out of the current lockdown in England and sets out how the government will continue to protect and support citizens across the UK:

COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021 summary - Gov.uk

Changes from 17 May in England

Gathering limits have been eased. Outdoor gatherings are limited to 30 people and indoor gatherings are limited to 6 people or 2 households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible).
New guidance on meeting friends and family emphasises personal responsibility rather than government rules. Instead of instructing you to stay 2m apart from anyone you don’t live with, you are encouraged to exercise caution and consider the guidance on risks associated with COVID-19 and actions you can take to help keep you and your loved ones safe. Remember that the risks of close contact may be greater for some people than others and in some settings and circumstances, there will be specific guidance that you will need to follow even when you are with friends and family.
Indoor entertainment and attractions such as cinemas, theatres, concert halls, bowling alleys, casinos, amusement arcades, museums and children’s indoor play areas are permitted to open with COVID-secure measures in place.
People can attend indoor and outdoor events, including live performances, sporting events and business events. Attendance at these events is capped according to venue type, and attendees should follow the COVID-secure measures set out by those venues.
Indoor hospitality venues such as restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes can reopen.
Organised indoor sport can take place for all. This includes gym classes. It must be organised by a business, charity or public body and the organiser must take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission.
All holiday accommodation can open, including hotels and B&Bs. This can be used by groups of up to 6 or 2 households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible).
Funeral attendance is no longer be limited to 30 people, but will be determined by how many people the COVID-secure venue can safely accommodate with social distancing. Limits at weddings, wakes and other commemorative events have been increased to 30 people. Other significant life events, such as bar/bat mitzvahs and christenings, will also be able to take place with 30 people.
The rules for care home residents visiting out and receiving visitors have changed, allowing up to five named visitors (two at any one time), provided visitors test negative for COVID-19.
All higher education students are able to access in-person teaching.
Support groups and parent and child group gathering limits have been increased to 30 people (not including under 5s)
There is no longer a legal restriction or permitted reason required to travel internationally. A traffic light system for international travel has been introduced, and you must follow the rules when returning to England depending on whether you return from a red, amber or green list country.

Find out more

The ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’ provides a roadmap out of the current lockdown in England and sets out how the government will continue to protect and support citizens across the UK:

COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021 summary - Gov.uk

If you think you might have coronavirus

Symptoms

A high temperature
A new, continuous cough
Loss or change in sense of smell or taste

What to do if you have these symptoms

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You should stay at home and self isolate.

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

You must get a test. Find out more and book.

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
Your condition gets worse
Your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Use the 111 coronavirus service

If you do not have internet access, call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.

For people who are deaf or hard of hearing, the NHS 111 British Sign Language service is available here: https://interpreternow.co.uk/nhs111 or by calling 18001 111 on a textphone.

Read the NHS advice about coronavirus

How to self-isolate if you or someone in your house has coronavirus

If you have symptoms of coronavirus you should stay home and self isolate. What this means is you should not leave your house, even to do shopping, to avoid spreading the virus. Do not go to work, school, or public areas and do not use public transport or taxis.

Your isolation period includes the day the first person in your household’s symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms, whether this was an LFD or PCR test), and the next 10 full days.

For more information about when and how to self-isolate and what this means for families visit the Government website.

There is also a Northamptonshire Self-isolation support pack with guidance and suggestions on the NCC website.

Self-isolation support pack

Government advice

NHS advice

Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp

The Government has made a free to use service is an automated ‘chatbot’, allowing people to get answers to the most common questions about coronavirus direct from the Government.

Find out more about the service

How to avoid catching or spreading germs

Do:

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
Put used tissues in the bin straight away.
Wash your hands with soap and water often, and for 20 seconds – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Don't:

Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

Watch NHS England's video on how to wash your hands properly

Advice for people at high risk

People who are defined as clinically extremely vulnerable are at very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

People who fall into this category will have been advised to ‘shield’. This word is used to describe how people at high-risk should protect themselves by not leaving their homes and minimising all face-to-face contact.

Healthwatch England has pulled together some information to help you understand what the current situation and advice, including some FAQ.

Coronavirus: What does shielding mean?

Read the information on the government website and visit Northamptonshire's County Council's website for further countywide guidance.

Further information

Government advice on shielding and protecting extremely vulnerable people

NHS information about who's at higher risk from coronavirus?

NHS advice for people at high risk from coronavirus (clinically extremely vulnerable)

What's the difference between social distancing, self-isolation and shielding?

Face masks - when to wear one

To find out which settings require you to wear a face mask click the link below.

You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to. This includes (but is not limited to):

young children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommend face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
if you are travelling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others
to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you
to eat or drink if reasonably necessary
in order to take medication
if a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering

Find out more

Coronavirus is affecting my mental health - what can I do?

The Coronavirus pandemic may cause you to feel worried, anxious, or scared.

Read Healthwatch England's seven steps to looking after your wellbeing while staying informed

In recognition of the unprecedented challenges which the outbreak and extended periods of self-isolation can pose, Public Health England has published online guidance setting out principles to follow to help people to manage their mental health during this difficult time, such as:

maintaining contact with friends and family via telephone and video calls, or social media
keeping a regular routine and sleeping pattern
focusing on a hobby or learning something new

Every Mind Matters has released expert advice and top tips on how to look after your mental wellbeing if you need to stay at home during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. It also includes guidance if you’re feeling worried or anxious about the outbreak.

Find out more

Public Health England has put together advice for parents and carers on looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children or young people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.

Find out more

Further information

NHS England has produced a list of common questions about coronavirus, covering advice for you and your family, how it's caught and spread, prevention, self-isolation, testing and treatment and foreign travel.

NHS coronavirus common questions

Find out more about the NHS COVID-19 app