Under the government’s ‘Living with Covid-19 plan’ many legal restrictions, such as self-isolation, have now ended. However, the pandemic is not over and there are still steps you can take to protect yourself, your family and those around you, particularly those at the greatest risk of severe illness.
To keep yourself and those around you safe you should:
- Get vaccinated, this is most effective way to protect yourself from getting seriously ill from coronavirus., Remember to get any booster shots recommended by the NHS to keep up your immunity. Book your appointment here
- Wash your hands regularly, especially when you’ve been in shared spaces and before touching your face. This can reduce the risk of transmission.
- Wear a face covering when in crowded and enclosed spaces. Wearing a face covering can drastically reduce the risk of transmission
- Open windows or meet outdoors. The virus is much less likely to spread in areas with a lot of ventilation or in outdoor spaces.
- Stay home for at least five days if you have Covid-19 symptoms or test positive. If you have symptoms, or test positive the easiest way to keep you, your family, and your community safe is by staying at home. Guidance on how to look after yourself if you have Covid-19 is available from the NHS.
If you are vulnerable, older and/or at-risk, take the steps above and also:
- If possible, encourage people to take a test before meeting you
- If you are in a high-risk group due to other medical conditions or treatments that make you more likely to get infections, you should have been provided with a free PCR test by the government. You should take the PCR test as soon as you develop coronavirus symptoms, even if your symptoms are mild. Treatments for Covid-19 need to be given quickly after your symptoms start to be effective. If you have not received a PCR test kit to keep at home but you think you may be eligible for Covid-19 treatments, call 119 for advice.