Advice on Coronavirus

In order to minimise the adverse impacts of  the coronavirus, the NHS and government is encouraging everybody in the country to either self isolate or practice social distancing.

Do I need to self isolate?

The current NHS/government advice is that anybody told to do so by a health professional, or who exhibits symptoms of coronavirus or might have been exposed to it,  should self isolate.  This means they should stay at home.  They should do this for at least 7 days after the first signs of the illness.  The symptoms are most commonly a high temperature and/or a new, continuous cough.  If they are not ill after this period then they can go out.

Anybody who lives in the same household as someone who is ill with corona virus should also stay at home and not leave for 14 days from when the first person in the household became ill.  At the end of the 14 day period, anybody who has not become unwell may leave.

The Government is not currently advising the general public to self isolate, but this may change in the light of events.

Staying at home its the most effective way of preventing and controlling the spread of the virus to friends, the wider community, and those at risk of the virus developing into a serious risk to their life and health.

In practical terms this means

  • stay at home
  • do not go to work, school or to public areas
  • do not use public transport like buses, trains, tubes or taxis
  • avoid visitors to your home
  • ask friends, family members or delivery services to carry out errands for you – such as getting groceries, medications or other shopping

Self-isolation is not easy, but across the country, hundreds of people have already successfully done it.  Further advice is available online

 

Social distancing

“Social distancing” is about reducing social interaction between people, in order to try and avoid catching and spreading the virus, because it can lead to a serious illness for some people.

Everyone should be trying as far as possible to follow these measures.

  • Avoid having non-essential visitors to your home.
  • Avoid non-essential use of public transport, especially at busy times, where possible
  • Work from home, if possible. Employers should offer support.
  • Avoid large gatherings, and those in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs
  • Avoid gatherings with friends and family, especially inside. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media
  • Use telephone or online services to contact essential services
  • In general, try and keep at least a metre (3 feet) away from other people, if possible.

At the same time you should wash your hands frequently, avoid touching your face with your hands, and catch coughs and sneezes in a tissue (and then bin it!)

Further advice is available online

 

Disabled people in the following groups should be be particularly careful to follow social distancing measures: