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COVID-19

Useful information for you and your household

Targeted testing introduced in Brentwood following confirmed Omicron Covid-19 case

Targeted testing is to be introduced in two locations in Brentwood, following the identification of a case of the Omicron Covid-19 Variant of Concern.

If you visited either of these venues and have Covid-19 symptoms, you must isolate immediately and book a PCR test via https://www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test

• Trinity Church on Sunday 21 November or
• KFC on Brentwood High Street on Friday 19 November, between 1pm and 5pm

If you have visited either of these venues, and do not have symptoms, you should still get a PCR test but are not required to self-isolate, unless your PCR test returns a positive result.

You must take your test at one of the Mobile Testing Units below from tomorrow between 9am and 4pm:

• Basildon Cherrydown Car Park Mobile Testing Unit (book via the national booking system)
• The Brentwood Centre Mobile Testing Unit (no booking required)

If you test positive, have any symptoms, or are contact traced following contact with someone who tests positive, you should self-isolate immediately. 

If you test negative, continue to follow current Covid-19 guidance. Support is available for anyone required to self-isolate here: https://www.essex.gov.uk/support-for-residents/if-you-are-self-isolating

Face covering changes on Tuesday

Following on from the Government announcement yesterday, temporary and precautionary measures for mask wearing have been put in place across England, effective on Tuesday 30 November.

The wearing of face masks in retail outlets and on public transport, will be a legal requirement. For now, no changes have been made when visiting hospitality venues.

New measures as Omicron variant identified in UK

As well as the announcement regarding face coverings, the government have also introduced new temporary and precautionary measures following the emergence of the Omicron variant in the UK:

• All international arrivals entering England must take a day 2 PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.

• All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of their vaccination status. They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

Let's keep Covid in Check

We can all help to Keep Covid in Check by following these simple steps:

 Self-test twice a week
 Wear a mask in public spaces
 Continue to wash hands
 Give people space
 Let the fresh air in

Let's do all we can to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe.

Boost your immunity this winter

This winter it is essential to protect yourself and others against both flu and COVID-19.

• Residents are invited forward to clinics, community pharmacies and vaccination centres where residents can book through the National Booking Service (NBS) or walk-In without an appointment where this is an option. Further information on walk ins is available via Find a walk-in coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination site - NHS (www.nhs.uk). Anyone attending a walk-in is reminded to cancel an existing booking if they had already made one.
• If you are over 40, you are eligible for a COVID-19 booster. You will only be offered an appointment date that is at least 182 days after your 2^nd vaccination, although you can access the National Booking Service from 5 months (152 days) after your 2^ndvaccination. 
• You can also book your free flu vaccine appointment now. Visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/vaccinations/flu-influenza-vaccine/ for more information.

If you have any questions or concerns about the COVID-19 vaccine, please contact the vaccine helpline on 0344 2573961