Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Easing of Covid restrictions in England: How the rules will change on 12 April

From Monday 12th April England will move to Step Two of the roadmap.

From 12 April:

• Non-essential retail will be able to reopen
• Personal care premises such as hairdressers and nail salons will be able to reopen
• Public buildings such as libraries and community centres will be able to reopen
• Outdoor hospitality venues will be able to reopen, with table service only
• Most outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) will be able to reopen
• Some smaller outdoor events such as fetes, literary fairs, and fairgrounds will be able to take place
• Indoor leisure and sports facilities will be able to reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household or support bubble
• All childcare and supervised activities will be allowed indoors (as well as outdoors) for all children. Parent and child groups can take place indoors (as well as outdoors) for up to 15 people (children under 5 will not be counted in this number)
• Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, wakes and other commemorative events will be able to take place for up to 15 people (anyone working is not included in this limit), including in indoor venues that are permitted to open or where an exemption applies. Wedding receptions can also take place for up to 15 people, but must take place outdoors, not including private gardens
• Self-contained accommodation will be able to open for overnight stays in England with your household or support bubble
• You should continue to minimise the amount that you travel where possible
• Care home residents will be able to nominate two named individuals for regular indoor visits (following a rapid lateral flow test)

Some of the rules on what you can and cannot do will change on 12 April. 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. 

Step One Restrictions

The following lockdown rules are still in place until the 12th April: 

• Stay local as much as possible – continue to work from home if you can and keep journeys to a minimum
• Six people or two households can meet up outside, including in private gardens
• Only socialise indoors with people you live with or who are in your support bubble
• Outdoor sports facilities and open-air swimming pools are allowed to reopen
• Non-essential shops, gyms and entertainment venues closed
• Pubs and restaurants closed, but takeaway food permitted
• Holidays abroad still banned
• If you have symptoms get a test and stay at home
• Shielding ends on 31 March. 

Vulnerable People

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.