With the seriousness of the threat of Coronavirus to our safety and health, the government has been introducing and regularly updating guidance to in order to try and safeguard people and the NHS from the potential impacts of the virus.
This article will summarise the key points of current guidance for citizens and link to their sources. In addition, we’ve linked some of our own articles that may help you to cope with the measures outlined here.
Whats in this section?
Whats in this section?
The below is a summary of the latest government guidance on staying at home and away from others during this time. The full guidance can be found here.
Current regulations
The government has new rules about visiting care homes.
The new rules start on November 25, 2021, replacing the old ones about visits to care homes.
This rule applies only to residential care homes, not to other housing types like supported living or extra-care.
COVID-19 remains a serious health risk. To help protect yourself and others, you should stay cautious.
You must wear a face-covering in shops and on any public transport.
Get tested if you haven’t yet (and self-isolate) if required.
If you have already, get vaccinated to help prevent the spread of COVID.
To help stop the spread, you should:
- Get both doses of the vaccine when you are offered it, and encourage others to do so as well
- Participate in surge testing in your local area, whether you are vaccinated or not
- Self-isolate immediately if you have any symptoms of COVID-19 (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) or if you’ve tested positive for COVID-19
In the areas listed above, you should also take particular caution when meeting anyone outside your household or support bubble. Wherever possible, you should try to:
- Meet outside rather than inside where possible
- Keep 2 metres apart from people that you do not live with (unless you have formed a support bubble with them), this includes friends and family you don’t live with
- Minimise travel in and out of affected areas
You should also:
- Get tested twice a week for free and isolate if you are positive
- Continue to work from home if you can
- Refer to local health advice for your area (linked above)
You should get tested for COVID-19. This includes:
- Arranging to have a PCR test if you have symptoms of COVID-19, even if your symptoms are mild
- Getting regular rapid lateral flow tests if you do not have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Arranging a testing or managed quarantine package if you plan to travel overseas. See further details
You should self-isolate immediately if you have symptoms or a positive test result for COVID-19. There is financial support if you’re off work because of coronavirus.
Working in other people’s homes
Where it is reasonably necessary for you to work in other people’s homes you can continue to do so, for example if you’re a:
- nanny
- cleaner
- tradesperson
- social care worker providing support to children and families
You should follow the guidance on working in other people’s homes. Where a work meeting does not need to take place in a private home or garden, it should not.
If you are worried about going in to work or you cannot work
There is guidance if you need to self-isolate or cannot go to work due to coronavirus and what to do if you’re employed and cannot work.
Citizens Advice has advice if you’re worried about working, including what to do if you think your workplace is not safe, or if you live with someone vulnerable.
Support is available if you cannot work, for example if you need to care for someone or you have less work.
There is further advice for employers and employees from ACAS (the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service).
Links to Guidance on Education, Childcare, Outdoor Activities and Weddings & Ceremonies.
Guidance on going to School, College or University
Guidance on Exercise, Sport and Physical Activities
Guidance on Weddings, Ceremonies and Receptions
Getting tested for COVID-19
Rapid Flow Testing – Regular Testing for Workplaces, Education settings and Care Homes:
Rapid lateral flow testing is now available free to anybody without symptoms. You can get your tests from pharmacies, testing sites, employers, schools, colleges and universities. Find out more about how to get rapid lateral flow tests. Testing twice a week will help make sure you don’t have COVID-19, reducing the risk to those around you.
If you have symptoms:
If you have symptoms you should continue to get a PCR test. If you’re not sure, you can find out which coronavirus test you should get.
You must self isolate if you test positive. Do not meet up with others and follow the stay at home guidance.
Protect your mental health
While it’s important to keep abreast of the news and up to date guidance from the government during these times, its also important to remember that news outlets can sometimes sensationalise stories to create a larger response, in these times this can be more stressful than usual.
To protect your mental health and manage your anxiety over the current situation, try to do the following:
- Limit the amount of time you spend watching or reading things which aren’t making you feel better, maybe try deciding on a specific time to check the news each day.
- Stick to trusted sources of information with regards to situation updates, such as government and NHS websites.
- Have breaks from social media and try to mute or block topics and hashtags which increase your anxiety.
- Keep busy, it’s an ideal time for all those things around the house you’ve been meaning to do, you can also see our article on the 6 best brain training apps available, to help keep your mind sharp while you’re stuck at home.
The impact of false information
Be careful about what you share online. Things aren’t always what they seem, and there is still a large amount of false information about COVID-19 floating around.
False information about symptoms etc can cause people to panic and act out, and escalate an already difficult situation. Do your research before sharing information with others.
Care home visits
The rules are different depending on whether you are visiting someone in a care home or a resident is having a visit out of the home.
Full guidance on Care Home Visits during this time is available.
If you are struggling to organise alternative care for a loved one while you are self-isolating, try contacting one of the services listed within our Homecare providers section: https://www.carechoices.co.uk/care-location-type/homecare/
You can also look into our Carers section in our Service Directory for additional help and guidance from organisations offering carers respite and support services: https://www.carechoices.co.uk/contact-category/carers/
Guidance for care facilities
The government has also released guidance on how to maintain care in the event of an outbreak of COVID-19 for care providers. This includes guidance for:
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-how-to-work-safely-in-care-homes
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/supported-living-services-during-coronavirus-covid-19
- https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-providing-home-care
- Covid-19: Guidance for Health Professionals
- Coronavirus (COVID-19): admission and care of people in care homes
Our Latest News and Blog’s Related to Coronavirus
- Visiting in care homesThe Government released its updated guidance on visiting arrangements in care homes yesterday, 4th March. If you have a loved on in a care home… Read more
- Care home visits – Indoor care home visiting to resumeCare home residents in England will be allowed one regular visitor, for indoor visits, from March. From the 8th March, indoor care home visits will… Read more
- Accessing social care for a relative or as a family carerBeth Britton writes about obtaining assessments, what to expect, and how coronavirus is impacting what families can access When you, or someone you care for,… Read more
- Caring for an older, disabled or seriously ill relative during the pandemicThe COVID-19 pandemic has been a challenging period but for unpaid carers it has been extraordinarily hard. Helen Walker, Chief Executive Carers UK, tells us… Read more
Disclaimer:
The summaries of guidance and articles listed here are not a full and complete recitation of the original policies and guidance as provided by the government, health authorities and associated organisations. These summaries have been prepared in an effort to highlight key elements of these documents and articles, and bring them together in a single accessible location, NOT to replace them in any way shape or form. Every effort has been made to avoid mischaracterizations and to present these policies and guidance in an unbiased manner. Any failure to do so is unintentional. The full versions of every document mentioned can be viewed in their entirety through the relevant links.