Help prevent the spread and find out more about the virus.
Everyone’s actions have helped to reduce the transmission of coronavirus (Covid-19) in our communities. As the UK moves to the next phase in our fight against coronavirus, the most important thing we can do is to stay alert, control the virus, and in doing so, save lives.
As part of this plan:
- People and employers should stay safe in public spaces and workplaces by following “Covid-19 secure” guidelines. This should enable more people to go back to work, where they cannot work from home, and encourage more vulnerable children and the children of critical workers to go to school or childcare as already permitted
- You should stay alert when you leave home: washing your hands regularly, maintaining social distancing, and ensuring you do not gather in groups of more than two, except with members of your household or for other specific exceptions set out in law
- You must continue to stay home except for a limited set of reasons but - in line with scientific advice - can take part in more outdoor activities
Symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
The symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19 are:
- a cough
- a high temperature (37.8 degrees or higher)
- shortness of breath
- loss/change in your normal sense of smell or taste
But these symptoms do not necessarily mean you have the illness.
Do
- wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
- always wash your hands 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
- avoid close contact with people who have symptoms of Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- only travel on public transport if you need to
- work from home, if you can
- stay at home as much as possible
- use phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services
Don't
- do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
- do not have visitors to your home, including friends and family
The NHS will contact you if you are at particularly high risk of getting seriously ill with Coronavirus (COVID-19). You'll be given specific advice about what to do.
Do not contact your GP or healthcare team at this stage – wait to be contacted.
Stay at home if you have the symptoms of coronavirus
Stay at home for 7 days if you have either:
- a high temperature – you feel hot to touch on your chest or back
- a new, continuous cough – this means you've started coughing repeatedly
- loss/change in your normal sense of smell or taste
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.
Find out about testing for coronavirus.
Read NHS advice about staying at home.
How long do I need to stay at home for?
- if you have symptoms, stay at home for 7 days
- if you live with other people, they should stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person got symptoms
If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to find somewhere else for them to stay for 14 days.
If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.
Read NHS advice about staying at home.
More information
- Find out more about coronavirus from NHS.
- You can find out more about the symptoms and risks from Public Health England.
- Read a public health matters blog about the five things you can do to protect yourself and your community
- Find out what Coronavirus (COVID-19) social distancing is.
- Read the latest government guideline about coronavirus.
- Read the latest government advice on the number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK.
- Read the latest government information on coronavirus
- Read Q and A's from Public Health England on coronavirus