Covid-19 updates

30 March 2021

Welcome to our latest Covid-19 information update.

If you haven’t already, why not sign-up today to receive regular information and notifications as our fight against the virus in Cheshire East continues.

Roadmap out of lockdown – what changed from 29 March?

Yesterday (29 March), saw the next step in the government’s roadmap to ease lockdown in England.

Social contact

Two households, or six people, ('rule of six') can meet outdoors gatherings (including in private gardens) - making it easier for friends and families to meet outside.

Business and activities

Outdoor sports facilities such as tennis and basketball courts, will also be allowed to reopen, and people will be able to take part in formally organised outdoor sports.

Travel

The ‘stay at home’ rule ended yesterday (29 March) but many restrictions will remain in place. People should continue to work from home where they can and minimise the number of journeys they make where possible, avoiding travel at the busiest times and routes. Travel abroad will continue to be prohibited, other than for a small number of permitted reasons. Holidays abroad or in the UK will not be allowed, given it will remain important to manage the risk of imported variants and protect the vaccination programme.

Find out more by visiting - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/covid-19-coronavirus-restrictions-what-you-can-and-cannot-do

Changes to shielding and support for self-isolators ends on 31 March

Shielding for clinically extremely vulnerable Cheshire East residents ends on Wednesday 31 March. On 1 April, new national self-isolation guidance for people, who may have been exposed to the virus, comes into force.

We know that it is critical for anyone, who may have been exposed to the virus to complete their self-isolation period, as directed by NHS Test & Trace. This new guidance is designed to provide further support, to ensure individuals are able to complete the 10 day isolation.

Our newly updated shielding framework will provide welfare, practical and emotional support, as well as food boxes if necessary, to residents in a quick, responsive way.

We are also creating a Self-Isolation Support booklet, which will provide helpful information to residents - who are asked to self-isolate for 10 days - on self-serving and how to get in touch if they need extra support.

The Self-Isolation Support booklet will be available to download from a newly updated self-isolation COVID-19 section of our website, containing further details on the updated national guidance and how to be better prepared for self-isolation.

We will be publishing updates on the Covid-19 pages on our website.

The importance of undertaking Covid-19 testing even if you don't have symptoms

Almost one in three people who have Covid-19 don't have symptoms but can still spread the virus.

That's why all Cheshire East residents without Covid-19 symptoms can now access and pre-book rapid, free lateral flow test appointments at our five testing sites and other local participating pharmacies.

Benefits of taking a lateral flow test:

• Protect your loved ones and colleagues
• Support the NHS by reducing hospital admissions
• Test results received within the hour

BOOK your test at a local testing site or pharmacy by clicking HERE 

Please note that no walk-up appointments will be available.

Lateral flow testing can be undertaken between 9am to 5pm on the days and at the 5 asymptomatic testing sites below;

Vaccine information

More than 30 million people in the UK have now received a first dose of a vaccine, and more than 3.6 million have received a second.

In Cheshire East, the recent focus has been on following up those within the first four priority groups who have not yet received their first dose, including those who are housebound and anyone in the over 18 category with a long-term health condition. The Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, who are coordinating the vaccine rollout in Cheshire East, share regular updates on the local vaccination programme.

Deputy chief medical officer, Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, has answered some frequently asked questions on the Covid-19 vaccines, which includes an update on the daily vaccination numbers and advice on possible side effects.