Coronavirus (Covid-19) Response – Information Sources and Updates

Coronavirus (COVID-19): what you can and can't do

Stay Alert | Control The Virus | Save Lives

The Government has issued updated guidelines in England which came into effect in July and August:  

You can now:

General:

  • You must wear a face-covering on public transport, all shops, supermarkets and other indoor settings, which you can read the full list here
  • You must social distance by staying one metre or more apart, rather than two metres previously.
  • Two households will be able to meet up in any setting with social distancing measures. Your support bubble counts as one household. You should only be socialising in groups of up to 2 households (including your support bubble) indoors and outdoors or up to 6 people from different households when outdoors.
  • With the reopening of accommodation sites, such as campsites and hotels, you may stay overnight at an accommodation other than your home. You, and members of your household or support bubble, should only stay overnight with your household (including your support bubble) and one other household.
  • It is against the law to gather in groups larger than 30 people, except for a limited set of circumstances to be set out in law
  • You should avoid all but essential international travel except for countries and territories exempt from this advise which you can read here

Recreation and Outdoors:

  • Exercise outdoors as often as you wish
  • Spend time outdoors, including private gardens and other outdoor spaces in groups of up to 30, with social distancing of 1-metre.
  • Use outdoor sports courts or facilities, such as a tennis court or golf course
  • Use indoor sports facilities and venues, including such as indoor gyms, fitness and dance studios, indoor swimming pools and indoor water parks
  • You can participate in team and other grassroots sports where the sports governing body has issued guidance on how to do so safely

Education and Schools:

  • The Government plans for all pupils, in all year groups to return to school full-time from the beginning of autumn term, you can read more about this here
  • These plans also includes nurseries, colleges and sixth forms. If you would like to know more about the specific plans for your/ your child's school then please contact the school directly. 

Family and Community:

  • If you live alone or are a single parent, you can form a 'support bubble' with one other household. This means you can visit each other's homes without social distancing. However, you must pick one household to be your 'support bubble' and stick with it—you cannot switch the household, or connect with multiple different households.
  • Attend your place of worship for individual prayer
  • Libraries, social clubs, places of worship and community centres may also open provided it is safe

Retail and commerce

  • You may visit any type of shop
  • You can also visit some outdoor attractions such as drive-in cinemas and zoos
  • Pubs, bars, restaurants, salons and hairdressers will be able to reopen, providing they adhere to COVID Secure guidelines.
  • Some leisure facilities and tourist attractions may also re-open if they can do so safely – this includes outdoor gyms and playgrounds, cinemas, outdoor water parks, museums, galleries, theme parks and arcades.
  • Close contact services, such as nail bars, salons, tanning booths, spas, massage parlours, tattoo parlours and body piercing studios, can open. Only services that do not involve work in the highest risk zone – directly in front of the face – should be made available to clients, in line with government guidance.

Performing arts

  • As part of the Government's 'road map to recovery' indoor theatres, music and performance venues will be able to reopen with socially distanced audiences under updated performing arts guidance published by the Government. You can read more about this here

 

Does this mean lockdown is over? 

You should continue to stay alert and limit your contact with others. Staying at home where possible and limiting social contact, is the easiest way to do this.

Although you may meet up outdoors in groups, you still must practise social distancing with anyone outside of your household or support bubble. This means staying alert and keeping one metre apart. You should only be socialising in groups of up to 2 households (including your support bubble) indoors and outdoors or up to 6 people from different households when outdoors.

Also, it is still against the law to gather in groups larger than 30 people, except for a limited set of circumstances to be set out in law.

 

Click here to sign-up to join our Local Volunteer Network helping those isolated in the community, more information is in this section of the website. 

If you are currently in self-isolation and need assistance, please click here.

 

Coronavirus (Covid-19) Response – Information Sources and Updates

This section of the website will be updated regularly with advice and information that Alan receives in relation to the outbreak of Coronavirus (also known as COVID-19) from central and local Government; the NHS including Public Health England (PHE); and other public bodies and relevant organisations.

The Government response to COVID-19 is guided by medical and scientific advice received from the independent Chief Medical Officer and the Chief Scientific Advisor, taking into account information from the NHS and other relevant public bodies. It is fast-moving and Government advice on Coronavirus is subject to change – for the latest information visit Gov.uk and the Gov.uk COVID-19 page.

The Government's COVID-19 Action Plan can be found by clicking here.

Alan is not able to provide medical, financial or legal advice on an individual basis, but can help Havant Constituency residents dealing with central Government Departments and agencies. In addition, he is collating information related to the COVID-19 response on this page, and has launched a local constituency-wide initiative to sign-up local residents who feel they can help more vulnerable neighbours and other residents – see below for more information and sign-up by clicking here.  

Information on this website is sub-divided into different areas, click on the links for more information:

How serious is COVID-19?

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called Coronavirus. An NHS overview on COVID-19 can be found here.

The evidence shows us that the vast majority of people who get this virus have relatively mild symptoms and make a full recovery. But in a small percentage of cases, the virus can cause more severe symptoms. This is particularly true for people with a weakened immune system, for older people and for those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease. 

A lot of false information about this virus is being shared - it’s very important that you make sure that the information you use comes from a trusted source - all of the information on this page has been sourced from the NHS.

What are the symptoms?

If you are infected you may have very minor symptoms, minor symptoms or more severe symptoms, but the NHS cites three symptoms to look out for as:

  • A new continuous cough
  • A fever or high temperature
  • A loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste

What should I do if I have either of the above symptoms?

If you live alone - isolate yourself at home immediately for 7 days

If you live with others - you should all isolate yourselves at home for 14 days - this 14-day period starts from the day the first person in the home noticed the symptoms.

If at-risk people share your home - such as those who are older and those with underlying health conditions - the NHS advise for them to move out, perhaps to stay with friends or family for the whole isolation period. They need to minimise contact with others during this period whether or not they are able to move out.

For further information read this government advice on staying at home and isolating.

This page was last updated on 26th August 2020.