 Don’t delay – get boosted now
Young people aged 16 and 17 are now eligible for the Covid-19 booster, three months from their second dose. 106,000+ eligible adults in the borough have already been boosted – join them and top up your protection against this nasty virus.
You can book an appointment for your first, second or booster jab on the NHS website, or visit a local walk-in vaccination centre in Bracknell (Waitrose Sports Hall) or Reading (Broad Street Mall). Both are open over the weekend – please check the opening hours before visiting.
Covid has caused so much disruption over the past two years, but we have so much to look forward to in 2022. Getting vaccinated now protects you, your loved ones, and your community.
 Help stop the spread
While case rates have stabilised over the past week, numbers of new infections do remain high in the borough, particularly amongst children following the return to school earlier this month. Please be kind and respectful to those around you. If you’re a close contact of a positive case, you should take a lateral flow test daily for 7 days and isolate if you test positive.
We have produced a new PDF document for parents and carers answering some common questions about symptoms, testing, when and how long to self-isolate for, and information on the Covid-19 vaccine for 12-15 year olds.
Please also remember to adopt other safe behaviours to protect yourself and the community. This includes letting fresh air in if you’re meeting indoors, continuing to wash your hands regularly, and wearing your face covering in busy and enclosed spaces (and where it is mandatory to do so).
 Update to self-isolation guidance
People self-isolating with Covid-19 now have the option to reduce their isolation period after 5 full days if they test negative on both day 5 and day 6 and do not have a temperature. This change came into effect from Monday 17 January and will support essential public services over the winter.
Individuals who are still positive on their rapid lateral flow tests must stay in isolation until they have had two consecutive negative tests taken on separate days. Anyone who leaves self-isolation on or after day 6 is strongly advised to wear a face covering when out and about, limit close contact with others and work from home if they can.
Please note your self-isolation technically starts on ‘Day 0’ – this is the day your symptoms start or when your test is taken if you have no symptoms. The full self-isolation guidance is available on the NHS website.
 Covid-19 grants for local businesses
Applications are open for grants to support businesses in the hospitality, leisure, and accommodation sector. This is a one-off grant to support businesses in recognition of the rise of the Omicron Covid-19 variant.
Please check the criteria on our website before applying, as there are specific eligibility requirements and information you need to upload to your application form. The link to the application form can also be found on this webpage. Applications will close on Monday 28 February – unfortunately no late applications will be accepted.
We have also secured extra and limited Additional Restriction Grant (ARG) funding from Central Government to continue to support businesses most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and the Omicron variant in particular. We are currently setting up the application process. Please keep reviewing our website for further details and information how to apply.
 Holidays plans? Important information for travel
If you’re planning a getaway this year, make sure you check the travel guidance on the Gov.uk website. This will tell you if the country you plan to visit will allow people to enter from the UK, if you need to show proof of vaccination status or proof of a negative Covid-19 test, and if you need to quarantine on arrival.
Useful information is also available on the Gov.uk website on how to travel safely in airports and on aircrafts during the Covid-19 pandemic. Remember, you should not travel if you have Covid-19 symptoms, are self-isolating, or if you share a household with someone who has had symptoms in the past 10 days.
 Useful links
Dedicated Covid-19 pages on our website
Latest stats for Wokingham Borough via the Covid-19 Dashboard
How Covid-19 is affecting our services
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