 Latest Covid-19 situation in the borough
Over the past two years, the Covid-19 pandemic has caused so much disruption in our lives. We have seen case rates rise and fall, and have lived through months of restrictions and protective measures to help slow the spread of the virus.
While case rates have stabilised over the past week, numbers of new infections do remain very high in the borough, particularly amongst children following the return to school earlier this month. It’s still important for us to stay safe while the virus is circulating.
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.
You can find the latest information on Covid-19 cases in the borough on the Berkshire Public Health website.
 Plan B measures to end next week
Central Government has announced an update to the Plan B measures in England. The measures to end by next Thursday 27 January include:
- People are no longer required to work from home
- Covid passports will no longer to be mandatory for entering nightclubs and large events
- Face masks will no longer be mandated from 27 Jan, though people are still advised to wear face coverings in enclosed or crowded spaces
- Secondary school pupils are longer required to wear face masks in the classrooms (from 20 January)
For the latest information about Covid-19 measures, visit the Gov.uk website.
We appreciate that some residents may feel nervous about these updates. Please remember that help is here through the One Front Door service. Visit the website, or call the team on 0808 278 7958 for friendly and confidential support.
 Everyone over 16 can now get their booster vaccine
If you are 16 and over, and it’s been 3 months since your second vaccine, you can now get your booster jab. There’s so much to look forward to in 2022. That’s why we’re encouraging those who’ve not been boosted to get protected by joining the 106,000+ eligible adults in the borough who have already had their booster jab.
When it’s time, you can walk into the following vaccination centres without an appointment, simply check the NHS website for opening hours:
- Waitrose Sports Hall vaccination centre, Bracknell
- Broad Street Mall vaccination centre, Reading
Alternatively, you can book an appointment for your first, second or booster jab on the NHS website.
 Where to get a Lateral Flow Test
There are many locations in the borough where you can get a lateral flow test. These tests are for people with no Covid-19 symptoms. You can do a test on site or collect home testing kits.
It is important to have kits at home so you can quickly take a test before meeting up with friends, family, and colleagues. Testing sites open throughout the week and have varying opening hours. Please check our website for a full list, which is updated every Monday morning.
Remember, if you are a close contact of a positive case, you should take daily lateral flow test for seven days and then register your result on the Gov.uk website.
 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.
 Remember to check travel guidance before your holiday
If you’re planning on getting out of the UK 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.
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