Coronavirus - Official information and advice

Contents

COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan 2021

The Government has set out plans setting out plans for autumn and winter 2021/22 in England. You can view the plan on the GOV.UK COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan 2021 webpage.

Changes to self-isolation from 16 August 2021

From Monday 16 August, people who are double vaccinated or aged under 18 will no longer be legally required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive COVID-19 case.

For more information on these changes, visit the GOV.UK website.

Changes to shielding and priority for COVID booster vaccination - 15 September 2021 for Clinically Extremely Vulnerable people

Following clinical advice the Government has decided to end the requirement for shielding for those people considered to be Clinically Extremely Vulnerable (CEV) Shielding programme ends for most vulnerable - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Individual letters will be sent to the 3.7M currently on the CEV list in England with more detail and signposting support. Ahead of that the letter will be posted on gov.uk. Accessible versions will be available.

Those people who are currently on the CEV list will also be given priority for the COVID Booster Vaccine Most vulnerable to be offered COVID-19 booster vaccines from next week - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Changes to Government advice 19 July 2021

From Monday 19 July, step four of the government's roadmap out of lockdown will see most legal restrictions lifted in England. Although most legal restrictions have been lifted at step four and many people have been vaccinated, COVID cases Surrey-wide and nationally are high and continue to rise.

We need to continue to practice key safety measures, act carefully and remain cautious:-

  • Test twice-weekly using the rapid lateral flow testing kits. If you have symptoms of COVID, by law you should self-isolate immediately and take a PCR test at a testing site, by ordering online or if you are unable to use the internet call 119. You can find more information on how to access testing on our Coronavirus testing webpages.
  • Get vaccinated - all adults in England have now been offered at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. They are safe and effective and give you the best protection against COVID-19. If you have not yet received your first dose, you can book to get your vaccine on the NHS website.
  • Get an NHS COVID Pass - using the NHS App you can get an NHS COVID Pass to show your vaccination status and COVID-19 status. This can be used when travelling abroad and attending events and venues in England. You can find more information below or by visiting the GOV.UK website.
  • Help protect yourself and others - wash or sanitise your hands regularly, let fresh air into your home and other indoor spaces, use the NHS COVID-19 app, stay at home if you feel unwell even if you don't have COVID symptoms and limit the close contact you have with people you do not usually live with. Finally, although it is no longer required by law for you to wear a face covering, it is expected, advised and recommended that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport. You can find more information on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread of COVID following step 4 of the roadmap on the GOV.UK website.

Social contact

As part of step four, you do not need to stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with and there are also no limits on the number of people you can meet. However, in order to minimise risk at a time when COVID rates are high and rising, you should still limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with.

Face coverings

COVID-19 spreads through the air by droplets and aerosols that are exhaled from the nose and mouth of an infected person. Although it is no longer required by law for you to wear face coverings, the Government expects, advises and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport. It's important to also remember that other parts of the UK have different rules to wearing face coverings and some businesses and travel operators have set their own rules.

Business and activities

Events and venues

All remaining closed businesses and venues such as nightclubs and adult entertainment venues are able to reopen. All capacity limits at sporting, entertainment, or business events have been lifted.

Hospitality venues such as pubs, restaurants and bars are no longer required to provide table service or follow other social distancing rules.

Workplace

Whilst the Government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can, the Government would expect and recommend a gradual return over the summer.

Weddings, funerals and other life events

There are no longer limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, civil partnerships, funerals and other life events (including receptions and celebrations). There is no requirement for table service at life events, or restrictions on singing or dancing. You should follow guidance for weddings and funerals to reduce risk and protect yourself and others.

You can find more information on the changes to businesses, workplaces and venues on the GOV.UK website.

As restrictions are lifted, we'll keep you posted on what that means for you and any changes to the council services that we deliver. The GOV.UK website has full details on the roadmap and full details on step 4 of the roadmap.

Get an NHS COVID Pass

From Monday 19 July, you may be asked to demonstrate your COVID-19 status at places that use the service in England as a condition of entry to a venue or event or if you're travelling abroad. If you're aged 16 or over, you can get an NHS COVID Pass depending on your vaccination status or COVID-19 test results.

What is the NHS COVID Pass

The NHS COVID Pass shows your coronavirus (COVID-19) status by vaccination details or test results. This is your COVID-19 status.

You may be asked to show your pass to get into some events, where the COVID Pass is being trialled, or to travel abroad.

What can you use the NHS COVID Pass for

  • International travel - you can show the vaccination records contained within your NHS COVID Pass as proof of your COVID-19 status when travelling abroad. In addition to your NHS COVID Pass, you will need to follow additional rules when travelling abroad.
  • Events and venues - when going to certain events and venues, they may choose to ask for the NHS COVID Pass. The government will work with organisations where people are likely to be in close proximity to others outside of their household to encourage the use of this.

How to get your NHS COVID Pass

There are different ways to get a COVID Pass, you can:

  • Get a digital version by downloading the NHS App or by using the online NHS COVID Pass service. You will need an NHS login to use these services. You'll be asked to create one if you do not already have an NHS login.
  • Get a paper version (vaccination status only). You can get an NHS COVID Pass letter sent to you in the post which shows you've been vaccinated against COVID-19. Please note, your NHS COVID Pass letter does not show COVID-19 test results.

For more information on the NHS COVID Pass including more details on what you can use it for, visit the GOV.UK website. For full details on how to get an NHS COVID Pass and information on who can get an NHS COVID Pass in England, visit the NHS website.

Report a business breaching COVID-19 restrictions

If you are concerned that a Surrey business is not following Government regulations, you can report the issue using our online form.

Latest Surrey response to coronavirus

Surrey News is the news hub for Surrey County Council it has all the latest news on Surrey's response to Coronavirus including information on the daily data dashboard visit Surrey News.

What is coronavirus?

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China. The 2019 novel coronavirus has been spreading since it was first reported in December 2019.

Symptoms include fever and respiratory symptoms including coughing and shortness of breath. Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

More information on coronavirus including the latest NHS information, advice and guidance can be found on the NHS Coronavirus (COVID-19) webpage.

NHS COVID-19 App

The NHS COVID19 app launched on 24 September 2020. The NHS COVID19 app is still an important way to stop the spread of the virus - particularly as we head into another winter.

For more information visit the NHS COVID19 app webpage.

Depending on your mobile device, visit the Apple Store or Google Play Store and search NHS COVID19 app to download.

Official health information

There is lots of misinformation being shared about coronavirus, the following organisations are providing regular official information and updates both on their websites and via social media.

Other official guidance

Coronavirus testing

Please see our coronavirus testing page for details on how to book a test and information on NHS Test and Trace.

Overseas Travel

Find out more about coronavirus testing for people travelling to England.

Visas

Resources

Files available to download