Covid19

Covid-19: Remain Cautious

20 July 2021 0 Comments

While Coronavirus cases are high and rising, everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious.

Meeting with others

To minimise risk you should minimise the number, proximity and duration of social contacts.

 If you can, meet outdoors or, if you’re indoors, think about how you can improve ventilation to letting fresh air in.

Limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with, and increase close contact gradually.

Face coverings

The Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas.

Hygiene

Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day.

It is particularly important to wash your hands:

  • after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose
  • before you eat or handle food
  • after coming into contact with surfaces touched by many others, such as handles, handrails and light switches
  • after coming into contact with shared areas such as kitchens and bathrooms
  • when you return home

Where possible, avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. If you do need to touch your face (for example to put on or take off your face covering), wash or sanitise your hands before and after.

Get tested and self isolate

If you develop COVID-19 symptoms, self-isolate immediately and get a PCR test, even if your symptoms are mild. You should self-isolate at home while you book the test and wait for the results. You must self-isolate if you test positive. Your isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day your test was taken if you do not have symptoms), and the next 10 full days. This is the law.

The most important symptoms of COVID-19 are recent onset of any of the following:

  • a new continuous cough
  • a high temperature
  • a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

Testing twice a week

Around 1 in 3 people with COVID-19 do not have any symptoms. This means they could be spreading the virus without knowing it. Testing twice a week increases the chances of detecting COVID-19 when a person is infectious, helping to make sure you don’t spread COVID-19.

Rapid lateral flow testing is available for free to anybody.

Get vaccinated

All adults in England have now been offered at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. The vaccines are safe and effective. They give you the best protection against COVID-19.

If you have not yet received the COVID-19 vaccine, you should get vaccinated. It usually takes around two to three weeks for an antibody response to develop. You need two doses of vaccine for maximum protection against COVID-19.

However, even if you have been fully vaccinated, you could still get COVID-19 and get sick – a recent PHE report shows that around 1 in 5 people who are double-vaccinated are still vulnerable to getting infected with the Delta variant and showing symptoms. You can also still spread COVID-19 to others. We all need to do what we can to reduce the spread of COVID-19 to protect others and to reduce the risk of new variants developing and spreading.

NHS Covid Pass

The NHS Covid Pass allows you to check your Covid status and demonstrate that you are at lower risk of transmitting to others through full vaccination, a recent negative test, or proof of natural immunity.

Cabinet Office:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do#keeping-yourself-and-others-safe

Covid19, Health, News

Kent: Tier 3 Coronavirus Alert

26 November 2020 0 Comments

The UK Government has allocated Tier 3 Alert level to the whole of Kent and Medway, despite Ashford having only 126 cases per 100,000 population at 26 November 2020, compared with the national average of 201 cases per 100,000 1.

The following is a summary of restrictions that will apply to Kent and Medway from 2nd December:

Meeting Friends and Family

No mixing of households indoors, or most outdoor places, apart from support bubbles.

Maximum of six in some outdoor public spaces (e.g. parks, sports courts, public gardens).

Bars, pubs and restaurants

Hospitality is closed, with the exception of sales by takeaway, drive-through or delivery.

Retail

Open

Entertainment

Indoor venues closed

Personal Care

Open

Travel

Avoid travelling out of the area, other than where necessary such as for work, education, youth services, medical attention or because of caring
responsibilities.

Reduce the number of journeys made where possible.

Overnight stays

No overnight stays outside of local area, unless necessary for work, education or similar reasons.

Accommodation

Closed (with limited exceptions such as work purposes or where people cannot return home)

Work and business

Everyone who can work from home should do so.

Education

Early years settings, schools, colleges & universities open.

Registered childcare, other supervised activities for children and childcare bubbles permitted.

Places of worship

Open, but cannot interact with anyone outside household or support bubble.

Weddings and funerals

15 guests for weddings, civil partnerships and wakes; 30 for funerals.

Wedding receptions not permitted.

Exercise

Classes and organised adult sport can take place outdoors, but people should avoid higher-risk contact activity.

Group exercise activities and sports indoors should not take place, unless with household or bubble.

Organised activities for elite athletes, under-18s and disabled people can continue.

Indoor leisure e.g gyms and swimming

Open

Large Events – Elite Sport, Live Performances & Business

Events should not take place; Drive-in events permitted.

Cabinet Office: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-winter-plan/covid-19-winter-plan

1. Kent County Council

Covid19, Health, News

Coronavirus National Restrictions

5 November 2020 0 Comments

5 November to 2 December

National restrictions apply to England

Meeting IndoorsMeeting OutdoorsWeddings and Funerals
You cannot meet anybody socially Indoors unless they are in your household or support bubbleYou can meet with 1 person from another household in outdoor public spaces, following social distancing.
Children under 5 and anyone dependent on continuous care do not count towards the 2 person limit.		Weddings and Civil partnership ceremonies can only take place where one of those getting married is seriously ill and not expected to recover.
Funerals can take place with up to 30 people in attendance.
Working from homeEssential ShopsNon-essential Retail
You must work from home if you can. If you cannot work from home you should continue to go to work (unless you are clinically extremely vulnerable).Open. Essential shops should follow COVID secure guidelines.Closed. Can only open for click-and-collect and delivery services.
ExerciseLeisure and GymsHospitality
You can exercise outside on your own or with your household; your support bubble or one person from another househoid.Closed. Except for allotments and outdoor playgrounds.Closed except for takeaway, click-and-collect, drive through and delivery sevvices. Takeaway not permitted after 22:00.
EducationHealthcare ServicesResidential Care
Early years, schools and FE colleges open. Universities must reflect wider restrictions.You can leave home for any medical reason.Care homes are encouraged to provide safe, COVID-secure visiting opportunities. See the guidance for detaiis on how to keep visits safe.
TravelPublic TransportOvernight Stays
You must not travel in the UK or overseas other than for permitted reasons, including work, eduration, medical reasons, caring responsibilities or for essential retail.You may still use public transport, but should only travel for permitted reasons and should look to reduce the number of journeys you make, avoid travelling at peak times and walk or cycle where you can.Overnight stays and holidays away from primary residences are not allowed, except for work and other exempt purposes.
Entertainment and tourismVulnerable PeopleWorship
Entertainment venues are closed. Public gardens at visitor attractions are open.If you are 60+ or clinically vulnerable be especially carefui to follow the rules and minimise contacts with others. If you are ciinicaliy extremely vulnerable you are advised to stay at home as much as possible, except to go outdoors for exercise or to attend essenliai health appoinlments.Closed. Except for:
funerals.
broadcasting acts of worship, and
individual prayer.
ChildcareYouth Clubs and Activities
Registered childcare and childcare activities open to enable parents to work, or for respite care. Parents can form a childcare bubble with another household For informal childcare, where the child is 13 or under.Some youth services are able to continue, such as 1-1 youth work and support groups, but most youth clubs and groups will need to cease for this period.

For more information and detailed guidance visit gov.uk/voronavirus

UK government

Covid19, Government, Health, News

NHS Covid-19 App

25 September 2020 0 Comments

Download the NHS Covid-19 App to

  • Get alerted if you’ve been near other app users who have tested positive for coronavirus.
  • Find the level of coronavirus risk in your postcode district.
  • Get alerted if you have visited a venue where you may have come into contact with coronavirus.
  • Check if you have coronavirus symptoms and see if you need to order a free test.
  • Book a test and get your result.
  • Keep track of your self-isolation countdown and access relevant advice.

Download for iphone:
https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/nhs-covid-19/id1520427663

Download for Android:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=uk.nhs.covid19.production

The NHS COVID-19 app protects your privacy and identity from other app users, and their privacy and identity from you. The app uses random IDs that cannot be used by the NHS or the government to identify who you are, or who you’ve spent time with.

The app cannot:

  • use your GPS location or track where you have been
  • be used to check or monitor if you’re self-isolating
  • be used by law enforcement to identify or track you
  • see personal information on your phone, such as your messages, address book or your phone contacts

More information: https://covid19.nhs.uk/

Covid19, Health, News

NHS Test and Trace

2 June 2020 0 Comments

NHS Test and Trace service is now in operation.
You may be contacted by the Service if:
▪️You have tested positive for Coronavirus or
▪️You have been in contact with a person who has tested positive for Coronavirus.

Be aware of scammers taking advantage of the launch of the service.

For accurate detailed information about the service go to
https://www.nhs.uk/…/coronavirus-c…/testing-for-coronavirus/

The NHS Test and Trace service will contact you by email, text or phone.
Text messages will come from the NHS. Calls will come from 0300 0135000.
Children under 18 will be contacted by phone wherever possible and asked for their parent or guardian’s permission to continue the call.

If you have tested positive for Coronavirus:

You’ll be asked to sign in to the NHS Test and Trace contact tracing website at https://contact-tracing.phe.gov.uk.

On the contact tracing website, you’ll be asked for information including:
▪️your name, date of birth and postcode
▪️if you live with other people
▪️any places you’ve been recently, such as a workplace or school
▪️names and contact details of any people you were in close contact with in the 48 hours before your symptoms started (if you know these details)
If you cannot use the contact tracing website, you’ll be asked for this information over the phone.

The NHS Test and Trace service will not:

▪️ask for bank details or payments
▪️ask for details of any other accounts, such as social media
▪️ask you to set up a password or PIN number over the phone
▪️ask you to call a premium rate number, such as those starting 09 or 087

Do not click links in texts or emails
Do not press 1 if you are telephoned

Covid19, Crime, Health, News

Wearing a face covering does not protect you.

16 May 2020 0 Comments

The UK Government is now recommending the use of face coverings in enclosed spaces where social distances might not be maintained.

If you can, wear a face covering in an enclosed space where social distancing isn’t possible and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet. This is most relevant for short periods indoors in crowded areas, for example, on public transport or in some shops.

Evidence suggests that wearing a face covering does not protect you.

However, if you are infected but have not yet developed symptoms, it may provide some protection for others you come into close contact with.

Face coverings do not replace social distancing.

If you have symptoms of COVID-19 (cough and/or high temperature), you and your household must isolate at home: wearing a face covering does not change this.

A face covering is not the same as the surgical masks or respirators used by healthcare and other workers as part of personal protective equipment. These should continue to be reserved for those who need them to protect against risks in their workplace, such as health and care workers, and those in industrial settings, like those exposed to dust hazards.

Face coverings should not be used by children under the age of 2 or those who may find it difficult to manage them correctly. For example, primary age children unassisted, or those with respiratory conditions.

Wearing a face covering

It is important to use face coverings properly and wash your hands before putting them on and taking them off.

A cloth face covering should cover your mouth and nose while allowing you to breathe comfortably. It can be as simple as a scarf or bandana that ties behind the head.

Wash your hands or use hand sanitiser before putting it on and after taking it off and after use. Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth at all times and store used face coverings in a plastic bag until you have an opportunity to wash them.

Do not touch the front of the face covering, or the part of the face covering that has been in contact with your mouth and nose. Once removed, make sure you clean any surfaces the face covering has touched.

You should wash a face covering regularly. It can go in with other laundry, using your normal detergent.

When wearing a face covering, take care to tuck away any loose ends.

Home made face coverings

You can make face-coverings at home. The key thing is it should cover the mouth and nose.

Instructions for making face coverings:

Cabinet Office, 11 May 2020
www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-safe-outside-your-home/staying-safe-outside-your-home
Public Health England, 11 May 2020
www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering

Covid19, Government, Health, News

Public spaces / outdoor activities / exercise

11 May 2020 0 Comments

There will be a limited number of things you can do from Wednesday 13th May that you cannot do now:

  • spend time outdoors – for example sitting and enjoying the fresh air, picnicking, or sunbathing
  • meet one other person from a different household outdoors – following social distancing guidelines
  • exercise outdoors as often as you wish – following social distancing guidelines
  • use outdoor sports courts or facilities, such as a tennis or basketball court, or golf course – with members of your household, or one other person while staying 2 metres apart
  • go to a garden centre

At all times, should continue to observe social distancing guidelines when you are outside your home, including ensuring you are 2 metres away from anyone outside your household. As with before, you cannot:

  • visit friends and family in their homes
  • exercise in an indoor sports court, gym or leisure centre, or go swimming in a public pool
  • use an outdoor gym or playground
  • visit a private or ticketed attraction
  • gather in a group of more than two (excluding members of your own household), except for a few specific exceptions set out in law (for work, funerals, house moves, supporting the vulnerable, in emergencies and to fulfil legal obligations)

If you are showing coronavirus symptoms, or if you or any of your household are self-isolating, you should stay at home – this is critical to staying safe and saving lives.

Covid19, Health, News

Hygiene

20 March 2020 0 Comments

Everybody should follow basic hygiene measures that help to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and other contagious diseases.

  • wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds,
    particularly
    • after you sneeze or cough
    • when you get home or into work
  • use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
  • 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 immediately and wash your hands afterwards
  • do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/

Covid19

Staying at home

20 March 2020 0 Comments

The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives.

When we reduce our day-to-day contact with other people, we will reduce the spread of the infection. That is why the government is now (23 March 2020) introducing three new measures.

  1. Requiring people to stay at home, except for very limited purposes
  2. Closing non-essential shops and community spaces
  3. Stopping all gatherings of more than two people in public

Every citizen must comply with these new measures. The relevant authorities, including the police, will be given the powers to enforce them – including through fines and dispersing gatherings.

These measures are effective immediately. The Government will look again at these measures in three weeks, and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.

Staying at home

You should only leave the house for one of four reasons:

  • for work, where you cannot work from home
  • going to shops that are permitted to be open – to get things like food and medicine, and to collect goods ordered online or on the phone
  • to exercise or, from Wednesday 13 May, spend time outdoors for recreation
  • any medical need, to donate blood, avoid injury or illness, escape risk of harm, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person

These four reasons are exceptions – even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are 2 metres apart from anyone outside of your household.

These measures must be followed by everyone. Separate advice is available for individuals or households who are isolating, and for the most vulnerable who need to be shielded.

If you work in a critical sector outlined in this guidance, or your child has been identified as vulnerable, you can continue to take your children to school. Where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents’ homes

Delivering these new measures

These measures will reduce our day to day contact with other people. They are a vital part of our efforts to reduce the rate of transmission of coronavirus.

Every citizen is instructed to comply with these new measures.

The Government will therefore be ensuring the police and other relevant authorities have the powers to enforce them, including through fines and dispersing gatherings where people do not comply.

They will initially last for the three weeks from 23 March, at which point the Government will look at them again and relax them if the evidence shows this is possible.

Covid19