Living with Covid-19
Central Government announced the ‘Living with Covid’ phase of the Covid-19 response. It aims to maintain the population’s wall of protection and encourage people to follow safer behaviours to manage risk whilst having the ability to scale back up a response should it be required.
Below is a summary of changes and guidance to be aware of:
Legal requirement to self-isolate has ended
- This will be replaced by guidance for people with Covid-19 to stay at home and avoid contact with others – self-isolation support payments will also end
- There will be specific guidance for staff in particularly vulnerable services, such as adult social care and healthcare
- The advice for fully vaccinated contacts and those aged under 18 to undertake daily testing, and the legal requirement for contacts who are not fully vaccinated to self-isolate, will end
- This will be replaced by guidance for close contacts on what they can do to limit the risk of infection to themselves and others
- The recommendation for symptomatic people to take a PCR test remains until the end of March
Free testing for most people will end from 1 April
- There will be some limited ongoing free testing with limited symptomatic testing available for a small number of at-risk groups
- Free symptomatic testing will remain available to social care staff
Recommended behaviours
The way in which Covid-19 is transmitted has not changed. Reduce the risk of catching and passing on Covid-19 by:
- Getting vaccinated
- Letting fresh air in if meeting indoors, and meeting outside where possible
- Wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces
- Staying at home and away from workplaces or crowded indoor places if unwell
- Taking a PCR test if displaying Covid-19 symptoms and staying at home and avoiding contact with other people if testing positive
- Washing hands regularly
Guidance on regular asymptomatic testing for staff and students in education settings has also ended.
More information is available on the Gov.uk website.
COVID-19 VACCINATION
Everyone aged 12 or over is able to get a Covid-19 Vaccination for free.
You can book an appointment using the the national booking system or attend a walk-in clinic, where no appointment is needed. You can find the nearest available walk-in clinic by following this link and entering your postcode.
SUPPORT AVAILABLE
There is support available for everyone in Hyndburn. If you need support please reach out to the Hyndburn Hub by emailing enquiries@hyndburnbc.gov.uk or call 01254 388 111