Friday, 25 March 2022

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Important: New COVID-19 guidance

On Monday, 21 February, the Prime Minister announced an end to restrictions as part of the Government’s ‘Living with COVID’ plan. 

Despite these changes, you are still encouraged to continue to follow public health advice, just as you would for diseases, such as the flu, to minimise the risk of catching COVID-19 and help protect your family and friends. 

The Government published its plan for living with COVID-19. 

From Friday, 18 March:

• All COVID-19 travel restrictions were lifted, including the passenger locator form (PLF) for arrivals into the UK and all tests for passengers who do not qualify as vaccinated. This change removes the need for unvaccinated passengers to take a pre-departure test and a day two post-arrival test

• All hotel managed quarantine capacity will come to an end from the end of March.

From Thursday, 31 March: 

• Redbridge Lateral Flow Test sites and PCR sites will be closed.
  
  

From Friday, 1 April:

• The general public will no longer be able to access free Lateral Flow Tests or PCR tests unless you are in a specific ‘at risk group’ or work in certain frontline care roles. The Government will set out further details on which groups will be eligible 
• The comprehensive list of who will be considered an ‘at risk group’ will be shared in the coming weeks and guidance on how you would order tests going forward
• As long as tests you have ordered or received before 31 March are in date, you can still use your home test kits 
• Government is working with retailers and pharmacies to help establish the private market in testing
• Restrictions in England have been removed, and the legal requirement to self-isolate will end
• Between now and 1 April, if you test positive for COVID-19, you are advised to stay at home. Adults and children who test positive are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for at least five full days. You should continue to follow the guidance until two negative test results on consecutive days have been recorded. 
• Self-isolation support payments, national funding for practical support, and the medicine delivery service will no longer be available
• Routine contact tracing will end, including venue check-ins on the NHS COVID-19 app
• Fully vaccinated adults and those under 18 who are close contacts will no longer be advised to test daily for seven days. The legal requirement for close contacts who are not fully vaccinated to self-isolate will be removed.

Remember: COVID-19 has not gone away. Rates in Redbridge are rising in all age groups. 

• Ensure adequate risk assessments before employees return to their place of work 
• Ventilate your offices and communal areas 
• Protect yourself, protect others, and help to keep business open.
  

View our vaccinations page for vaccination information, including boosters and dates and times for vaccination clinics in Redbridge.  

Vaccinations in Redbridge

Since 21 March, the NHS COVID vaccination programme has invited eligible people to come forward for their life-saving Spring booster jab. 

The Spring booster jab is available to:

• People aged 75 and over 
• People who live in a care home for older people 
• People aged 12 and over who have a weakened immune system. 

How to get your Spring booster jab:

• People aged 75 and over and those who are immunosuppressed can book their Spring booster jab through the national booking service online at nhs covid vaccine or by calling 119
• The NHS will also invite people to arrange a jab through the national booking service when it is their turn 
• If you are over 75 and/or immunosuppressed, you should be offered an appointment around six months (and not before three months) since your last dose of vaccine
• You will be given a booster dose of either Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. Both vaccines boost well and have already been given to millions of people in the UK. 

Around five million people will be able to get a Spring booster during the campaign, and this week, the NHS will be contacting over 600,000 people to invite them to book their jab. 

If you have not yet had either of your first two doses of the vaccine or the third dose (for those with a weakened immune system), you should have them as soon as possible. 

If you missed your first booster, you should have this spring booster as soon as possible. 

Living with COVID-19

COVID-19 hasn't gone away. The success of the vaccination programme across the country and in Redbridge has paved the way for the easing of restrictions. All adults have now been offered at least their first vaccination. 

It's vital that, if you're aged 12 or over, you take up your potentially life-saving first and second vaccinations - to protect yourself and your loved ones. Studies have shown that vaccination provides a strong protection boost, including those who have recovered from COVID-19. 

Everyone can help reduce risks by acting safely and responsibly. COVID-19 is likely to still be a feature of our lives for the foreseeable future. Every action you take to help reduce the spread will help to keep you and your loved ones safe. 

Get vaccinated: The COVID 19-vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and others from becoming seriously ill.

Research has shown that the vaccine will:

• reduce your risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19 
• reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19 to others 
• protect against COVID-19 variants
• Get tested - you should get tested if you have symptoms. To find out where you can be tested or where to collect COVID-19 tests. Please note testing arrangements are changing from 31 March. From 31 March, the general public will no longer be able to access free Lateral Flow Tests or PCR tests unless you are in a specific 'at risk group' or work in certain frontline care roles. the Government will set out further details on which groups will be eligible 
• Stay at home if you feel unwell - you should monitor each day for signs of COVID-19 
• Keep your distance – Meeting outdoors, and good ventilation remains important to help reduce the spread of COVID-19
• Wash hands regularly - keeping your hands clean helps to prevent the spread of COVID-19 
• Travel safely - walk or cycle to school and work if you can to reduce congestion. It's healthier too! 

Mental health advice and support

COVID-19 has been difficult for all of us in different ways and now that restrictions are easing there may be new challenges to consider.  

The NHS COVID-19 hub gives you tips on how to cope with anxiety. There are also Every Mind Matters resources to help you talk about mental health and the things in your daily lives that can affect it.  

If you feel that you need a little more help or may be experiencing a mental health problem, please contact your GP. They can offer advice or refer you to specialist services. 

Helpful links to more COVID-19 support

• COVID-19 vaccinations in Redbridge
• COVID-19 testing in Redbridge
• Financial Support for businesses
• Help and financial support for self-isolation
• Financial support for residents
• Health and Well-being Support

• GP Trainee, Paul, tells us about vaccines

• Self isolation and keeping safe

You are receiving this email so you are informed about the latest government and public health information on the COVID-19 pandemic. You can unsubscribe from this email at any time using the unsubscribe link at the bottom of this email. To stay up to date with the latest Council news, COVID vaccinations, COVID public meetings and more, sign up to Redbridge enews.