You must stay at home. The single most important action we can all take is to stay at home to protect the NHS and save lives.
You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:
- shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person
- go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home
- exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person (in which case you should stay 2m apart). Exercise should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
- meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one
- seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse)
- attend education or childcare – for those eligible
Even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside your home and ensuring you are two metres apart from anyone outside of your household.
For details on the latest guidance, visit the Government’s website.
Visit the Government’s frequently asked questions page.
Reducing the chance of catching or spreading the virus in your home
Coronavirus spreads from person to person through small droplets, tiny airborne particles known as aerosols and through direct contact.
To reduce the chance of catching or passing on coronavirus to or from the people you live with, you should:
- wash your hands regularly and for at least 20 seconds
- regularly clean frequently touched surfaces
- make sure you let plenty of fresh air into your home without getting uncomfortably cold. This should be balanced with other considerations such as comfort, safety and security.
Other things you can do to stop the infection spreading
- Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms
- Avoid non-essential use of public transport when possible
- Work from home, where possible – your employer should support you to do this
- Frequently clean and disinfect objects and surfaces that are touched regularly
- Wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- 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
- Stay two metres away from other people, if you need to go outside
Do not:
- Touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
- Go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital
If you have symptoms of coronavirus
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), you must get a test as soon as possible. Stay at home until you get the result.
- Get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible.
- You and anyone you live with should stay at home and not have visitors until you get your test result – only leave your home to have a test.
Anyone in your support bubble should also stay at home if you have been in close contact with them since your symptoms started or during the 48 hours before they started.
People who are at an increased risk
People who are at increased risk of severe illness from coronavirus need to be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures. Those who are at risk may have or will be contacted via letter, phone or both to discuss your situation and how you can be or continue to be supported by the city’s health and social care services.
This group includes people who are:
- Aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)
- Under 70 with an underlying health condition (i.e. anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds). A full list of health conditions can be found by visiting gov.uk
- Pregnant