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COVID Bulletin: Monday 19 April 2021
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Facebook Live event to answer your Covid questions
Manchester’s Director of Public Health, Dave Regan and Manisha Kumar, Medical Director, Manchester Health and Care Commissioning and working GP are taking part in a Facebook Live event on the Manchester Evening News’ Facebook page at 11am on Tuesday 20 April to answer your Covid queries on everything from vaccination to rapid testing.
Non-essential retail has opened back up, as well as libraries and gyms, and hospitality venues are now allowed to serve people outdoors. Read the full list of changes.
It's great we are able to see our loved ones again, but remember to keep doing your bit so we can all keep each other safe by:
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Wash your hands regularly
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Keep your face covered when required
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Keep your distance
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Only meet outside
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Keep rooms well ventilated
Thank you for your help to keep Manchester safe.
Guidance for visiting care homes
New government guidance applies for visiting care home started from Monday 12 April 2021. It applies to care homes for working age and for older adults. The guidance aims to support safe visiting so people can support their loved ones.
![Now we can all get free rapid Covid-19 tests to help protect each other.](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKMANCHESTER/2021/04/4346592/rapid-covid-19_original.png) Rapid Covid-19 tests
The government has announced that everyone in England can access free, regular, rapid coronavirus testing, even if they don’t have symptoms.
Everyone is being encouraged to take free rapid tests for COVID-19 twice a week, 3 or 4 days apart. 1 in 3 people with coronavirus show no symptoms and are potentially spreading it without knowing. So, regular testing, along with the Covid vaccine is helping to ease restrictions and get life back to normal.
Rapid testing using lateral flow devices, involve swabs to the back of the nose and throat and provides a result within 30 mins. Free rapid home testing kits are available from participating pharmacies, libraries and our PCR Covid testing sites in Manchester. Find out more
![The COVID-19 vaccine does not contain components of animal origin. A vaccination does not break your fast.](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKMANCHESTER/2021/04/4373056/screenshot-2021-04-19-at-15-53-14_original.png) Ramadan Mubarak
We wish everyone Ramadan Mubarak “Blessed Ramadan”, who is observing Ramadan in our local communities.
Ustadh Nasar Ishfaq, Imam at Manchester's British Muslim Heritage Centre, encourages people who will be observing Ramadan not to delay having their Covid vaccination and explains that having a Covid test will not invalidate the fast -https://youtu.be/HvwHCdONj4o
The British Islamic Medical Association has produced a factsheet with advice on physical health during Ramadan.
![Do you need help with food, medicines, company, fuel bills or online services? Call the Council on 0800 234 6123](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKMANCHESTER/2020/11/3866503/3285830/community-response-hub-new-opening-hours-no-sat-tex_crop.jpg)
The Community Response Hub offers support to Manchester's most vulnerable people to help them cope with the impacts of the coronavirus outbreak. The Hub is open Monday-Friday 9am-5pm and can help with:
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Access to food
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Delivery of medication
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Combating loneliness
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Managing fuel top-up payments
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Getting access to services online
Support for people Self isolating with COVID-19
Where people have been told to self-isolate by the NHS Test and Trace and their income has been affected, they could be eligible for a one-off support payment. Find out more.
Help with Debt, Bills and Borrowing
If you are not working or furloughed at the moment due to COVID-19 and need help with debt, bills or borrowing, visit www.manchester.gov.uk/helpinghands for advice and support.
![Business advice and support](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKMANCHESTER/2021/04/4373068/screenshot-2021-04-19-at-15-55-01_original.png)
Restart Grant Scheme open to applications
The Government's new Restart Grant Scheme, set up to help businesses prepare for re-opening following the recent national lockdown, is now open for applications from eligible businesses in the non-essential retail, hospitality, accommodation, leisure, personal care and gym sectors.
Eligible businesses may be entitled to grants of between £2,667 and £18,000.
![Manchester is reopening, sign up for updates](https://content.govdelivery.com/attachments/fancy_images/UKMANCHESTER/2021/03/4269622/manchester-is-reopening_original.png)
While we need to be cautious, we are really looking forward to restrictions gradually being lifted and our city starting to open up again.
We’ve created a brand-new email newsletter called Welcome Back Manchester- again, to give you the latest info on what you can get up to in the city as it re-opens.
The regular updates will feature the latest news on businesses reopening, events and what’s on, as well as reminders of what you need to do to keep safe while out and about.
Subscribe for free to receive updates on Manchester’s journey out of lockdown.
Remember the golden rules
👋 Hands 😷 Face ↔ Space
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