Coronavirus advice

We are compiling the latest advice about COVID-19. Use the links to find more information.

All of our information is taken from authorative UK sources.

Protect yourself and your family and reduce the spread of Coronavirus

Advice for everybody:

stay at home as much as possible
work from home if you can
limit contact with other people
keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
wash your hands regularly

Advice if you or someone you live with have Coronavirus symptoms

If you have either:

a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste

Keep you and your family safe at home

Look after yourself while staying at home

Look after your physical and mental and emotional health and wellbeing

Suffering abuse?

See our Adult abuse page for information about help available if you are suffering abuse during lockdown

Can you help? Do you need help?

Ashford Borough Council have teamed up with Ashford Volunteer Centre to co-ordinate offers of help and those who need help. Volunteer registration forms and limks to community groups are on the ABC website.

Rented accommodation

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published advice to tenants and landlords including possession and access for maintenance.

Testing and tracing for coronavirus

Information about testing for coronavirus and what to do if you’re contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service.

Business Closure

Read the full list of businesses that must close, the exceptions and measures that must be taken to protect workers.

Closing certain businesses and venues

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Under the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, all UK employers will be able to access support to continue paying part of their employees’ salary for those employees that would otherwise have been laid off during this crisis.

Sick Pay for Coronovirus

If you are staying at home because you or a member of your household has Coronovirus symptoms (self-isolating) you can get Statutory Sick Pay from the first day of self-isolation.

Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Your employer may give you improved sick pay but SSP is the minimum they must give you.

Benefits

If you already receive benefits:

Universal Credit
Jobseeker’s Allowance
Housing Benefit
Working Tax Credits
Carer’s Allowance

Read the Citizens Advice page about changes

Ibuprofen

There is currently no strong evidence that ibuprofen can make coronavirus (COVID-19) worse.

But until we have more information, take paracetamol to treat the symptoms of coronavirus, unless your doctor has told you paracetamol is not suitable for you.

If you are already taking ibuprofen or another non-steroidal anti-inflammatory (NSAID) on the advice of a doctor, do not stop taking it without checking first.

NHS NSAIDs https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/nsaids/

School Closures

Due to the coronavirus outbreak, schools, colleges and childcare providers will be closed to the majority of pupils until further notice.

Schools, colleges, nurseries, childminders and other registered childcare settings have been asked remain open for children of critical workers and vulnerable children where they can.

More information on School Closures

Free School Meals

Schools can provide food on site, arrange deliveries or purchase a voucher to be given to the family.

Contact your school to find out which option they are providing.

Learning Resources

Many schools will be setting some work that children can do at home, but this may be limited leaving children with time to fill.

We list some sources of learning activities that can be used at home.