The Government is leading a cross-government drive to defeat the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) and has promised to keep the public informed every step of the way.
From the 17th of May, the Government is further easing restrictions on social contact:
- A maximum of 30 people will be allowed to socialise outdoors.
- Two households or a group of up to six people will be able to mix indoors, including in hospitality settings like pubs.
- Indoor adult group sports and exercise classes can resume.
As we move through each of these steps, it is important that we all remember that COVID-19 is still a part of our lives so we must:
- Continue to follow the principles of ‘hands, face, space and ventilation’
- Follow the COVID-secure measures that remain in place at different stages
- Get tested when needed – if you cannot work from home, have someone in your household attending or working in education or have symptoms of COVID-19
- Get vaccinated when offered
For the full roadmap please follow this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-sets-out-roadmap-to-cautiously-ease-lockdown-restrictions
As a result of the Government’s medical advice surrounding the Coronavirus outbreak, my office staff will be working at home as much as possible.
The constituency office staff will be working on a rota basis so that at any one time there will only be one person in the office.
Please try and restrict contact to email. At this unique time, telephone conversations will be difficult and we will be our prioritising the urgent and essential cases that are raised by constituents. With that in mind, please be aware that, depending on the nature of your correspondence, it may not be possible to respond to your email so please check the online advice before getting in contact.
NHS Covid-19 App
The government is encouraging people to download the NHS COVID-19 app which will form a central part of NHS Test and Trace by contract tracing through low-energy Bluetooth, alerting users to transmission levels in their area, helping people check into venues and providing a symptom checker.
It is available for those over the age of 16, and will track your distance and time spent with other app users to alert you if someone you have been in close contact with tests positive for COVID-19.
The app users personal information and data will remain secure, as none of it is provided to the government or NHS. It does not hold personal information, and only requires the first half of your postcode to show local transmission rates. Frequent, random unique IDs are also regenerated for extra security.
Coronavirus Status Checker
The Government is encouraging people with coronavirus symptoms to use the new Coronavirus Status Checker which will help the NHS coordinate its response and build up additional data
Coronavirus Information Service
The UK Government has launched a GOV.UK Coronavirus Information service on WhatsApp.To use the free GOV.UK Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp, simply add 07860 064422 in your phone contacts and then message the word ‘hi’ in a WhatsApp message to get started.
Age UK
Age UK have also issued their own advice: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/conditions-illnesses/coronavirus/ .
If you have any concerns about anything else, including welfare, care or housing, they can contact Age UK’s free advice line, 8am-7pm : 0800 055 6112.
Consular Hotline For British Citizens Abroad
If you are a British citizen living abroad and have any concerns, the hotline number is 02070081500.
Up To Date Guidance
The NHS and Government are constantly updating their guidance online. I recommend that all constituents keep up to date with the daily recommendations and follow the expert guidance.
- https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
- https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
The Latest Government Advice Will Appear Below: