Coronavirus (COVID-19) Latest Updates

Coronavirus

This page has been designed to provide up-to-date information, guidance and advice with regards to Coronavirus (COVID-19).

 

National Lockdown from Tuesday 5th January 2021

From this (5th Jan) morning, you must once again stay home:

  • You may only leave home for limited reasons permitted in law, such as to shop for essentials.
  • You should work from home unless you absolutely cannot. 
  • If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, we are advising you to begin shielding again. 

Primary schools, secondary schools and colleges across England are closed except for children of critical workers and the most vulnerable, as one of our latest measures to slow the spread of the virus.

In response, the Chancellor has announced £4.6 billion in new lockdown grants to support business and protect jobs as the nation stays at home to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives.

Full details of what you can and cannot do under these tighter restrictions can be found here.

If you need medical help, please use the 111 online coronavirus service.

You can find the answers to frequently asked questions about what you can do and can’t do during this pandemic here.

Keep up-to-date with government information about coronavirus (COVID-19) here

Keep up-to-date with government information about the national restrictions here

For up-to-date information regarding support which is available, please click here.

 

News

Cautious Hope Ahead

As the second lockdown enters its third week there are grounds for hope – cautious hope – in humanity’s battle against Covid-19. Last week Pfizer announced that they may have a vaccine that is 90% effective.

Second Lockdown News

I am very sad to have to report that the country is facing a new wave of restrictions to try to bring COVID-19 under control.

Prime Minister's Covid-19 Exit Strategy Announced

In a statement on coronavirus to the House of Commons today, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

"And while scientists are bleak in their predictions over the short-term, they are unanimously optimistic about the medium and long-term.

Chancellor Increases Financial Support for Businesses and Workers

The Government today announced it will significantly increase the generosity and reach of its winter support schemes to ensure livelihoods and jobs across the UK continue to be protected in the difficult months to come, supporting jobs and helping to contain the virus.

Job Support Scheme Expanded

The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak MP, has announced an expanded Job Support Scheme today:

Latest Self-Isolation Information

From today, people across England will be required by law to self-isolate if they test positive for coronavirus or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace - and face fines if they disregard the rules.