Current guidance on COVID-19
See the COVID-19 rates in Plymouth.
The Prime Minister has now set out the Government's plans to live with and manage the virus.
All COVID-19 restrictions have now come to an end. This means:
- The legal requirement to self-isolate after a positive test has ended. Although people are advised to stay at home if they test positive.
- Self-isolation payments have ended.
- Contact tracing has ended and people are no longer being asked for the details of who they have come into contact with.
- Fully vaccinated close contacts are longer being asked to test daily for seven days.
- The legal requirement for close contacts who are not fully vaccinated to self-isolate has been removed.
- Regular asymptomatic testing in schools, for teachers, parents, pupils and students, is longer be a requirement and when someone under 18 tests positive, their parents, or guardians no longer have a legal duty to ensure that the child or young person self-isolates. However, as with adults, children who test positive are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others.
- Free universal testing has now come to an end (both Lateral Flow Tests and PCR Tests). However, there will be some limited free symptomatic testing (PCR) available for a small number of at risk groups and social care staff. A paid-for testing service will be introduced for everyone else. See here.
Plymouth's Director of Public Health is asking people to take personal responsibility to protect Plymouth from COVID-19 in the future, protecting our own health, those who are vulnerable and the local economy.
Take precautions to stay well
To keep safe, please consider:
- Hands: Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds.
- Face: Continue to wear a face covering if in an enclosed public space or on public transport (unless you are exempt)
- Space: Keep your distance if you go out with people you don’t know
- Ventilate: If meeting others, make sure that you are in a well-ventilated area. Try to open windows or meet outdoors!
Get tested
Free universal testing has now ended. More information on testing
Know the symptoms of COVID-19
Symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) in adults can include:
- a high temperature or shivering (chills) – a high temperature means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
- a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
- shortness of breath
- feeling tired or exhausted
- an aching body
- a headache
- a sore throat
- a blocked or runny nose
- loss of appetite
- diarrhoea
- feeling sick or being sick
The symptoms are very similar to symptoms of other illnesses, such as colds and flu.
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness, but however mild your symptoms, you should stay at home.
Visit the NHS website for the latest advice and guidance.
Have the vaccine
One of the best ways to keep yourself and others safe is to have the COVID-19 vaccine. You can book your appointment online, or attend a walk-in clinic.
Travel safely
If you are planning on travelling overseas this year, make sure you check the latest restrictions and requirements of travel. This could include a requirement to take a test before and after you leave and possibly quarantine.
Latest Government information
You can find the latest information on the situation in the UK on the GOV.UK website.
For information on symptoms, how to protect yourself, and what to do if you think you might have coronavirus, visit the NHS website.