Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Easing of Covid restrictions in England

From Monday 17 May, England moved to Step Three of the Government's roadmap out of lockdown.

From 17 May:

• You should continue to work from home if you can. When travelling within the UK, you should aim to do so safely and plan your journey in advance. You should get a test and follow the stay at home guidance if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
• Gathering limits will be eased. Outdoor gatherings will be limited to 30 people and indoor gatherings will be limited to 6 people or 2 households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible)
• New guidance on meeting friends and family emphasises personal responsibility rather than government rules. Instead of instructing you to stay 2m apart from anyone you don’t live with, you will be encouraged to exercise caution and consider the guidance on risks associated with COVID-19 and actions you can take to help keep you and your loved ones safe. Remember that the risks of close contact may be greater for some people than others and in some settings and circumstances, there will be specific guidance that you will need to follow even when you are with friends and family
• Indoor entertainment and attractions such as cinemas, theatres, concert halls, bowling alleys, casinos, amusement arcades, museums and children’s indoor play areas will be permitted to open with COVID-secure measures in place
• People will be able to attend indoor and outdoor events, including live performances, sporting events and business events. Attendance at these events will be capped according to venue type, and attendees should follow the COVID-secure measures set out by those venues
• Indoor hospitality venues such as restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes can reopen
• Organised indoor sport will be able to take place for all (this includes gym classes). This must be organised by a business, charity or public body and the organiser must take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission
• All holiday accommodation will be open (including hotels and B&Bs). This can be used by groups of up to 6 or 2 households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible)
• Funeral attendance will no longer be limited to 30 people but will be determined by how many people the COVID-secure venue can safely accommodate with social distancing. Limits at weddings, wakes and other commemorative events will be increased to 30 people. Other significant life events, such as bar/bat mitzvahs and christenings, will also be able to take place with 30 people
• The rules for care home residents visiting out and receiving visitors will change, allowing up to five named visitors (two at any one time), provided visitors test negative for COVID-19
• All higher education students will be able to access in-person teaching
• Support groups and parent and child group gathering limits will increase to 30 people (not including under 5s)
• There will no longer be a legal restriction or permitted reason required to travel internationally. There will be a traffic light system for international travel, and you must follow the rules when returning to England depending on whether you return from a red, amber or green list country.

Please see the Government guidance on what you can and cannot do from 17 May. You can read the ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’ (the roadmap out of lockdown) for more information on how COVID-19 restrictions will be eased in England. 

Vulnerable People

The government has issued new guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19. Further information on shielding. 

Please see our Help for the Community page for the current advice on shielding and support available. 

Kent Together

If you are vulnerable and need urgent support that cannot be met through existing support networks, please contact Kent Together. If you are unable to use the online form, call the helpline on 03000 41 92 92 (text relay 18001 03000 41 92 92). Deaf British Sign Language users can text the Sensory Services team on 07920 154 315 for help making a request.

Book a Coronavirus test

Help stop the spread by booking a Coronavirus test: 

• Book a Coronavirus test online if you have symptoms
• Book a Coronavirus test online if you don't have symptoms

Remember - 'Hands, Face, Space. And let fresh air in'.  

Every action counts in the fight against COVID-19:

• Hands – wash your hands regularly and for 20 seconds
• Face – wear a face covering in indoor settings where social distancing may be difficult, and where you will come into contact with people you do not normally meet
• Space – stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with where possible, or 1 metre with extra precautions in place (such as wearing face coverings or increasing ventilation indoors)
• Fresh Air - letting fresh air into indoor spaces can reduce the risk of infection from coronavirus by over 70%. Read more on the importance of ventilation to reduce spread of COVID-19.

Please watch this short video to see why hands, face and space rules are so important.

The Government has published new guidance on how to stop the spread of coronavirus (02 February). 

Guidance

• Please see the Goverment's Coronavirus (COVID-19) pages for the most up-to-date information and guidance. 
• Get the latest NHS information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Look after your mental health and wellbeing with Every Mind Matters - COVID-19 hub.