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Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance

Published02 March 2020
Last updated06 October 2023

There are no coronavirus restrictions in the UK. Visit GOV.UK for the latest information.

Avoiding catching and spreading COVID-19

You are more likely to catch COVID-19 indoors and in crowded places. There are steps you can take to reduce the risk of catching and spreading COVID-19:

  • If you have COVID-19 you should try to stay at home
  • If eligible, get vaccinated against COVID-19 by the NHS
  • Let fresh air in if you meet indoors, or meet outside
  • Practice good hygiene
  • Consider wearing a face covering that fits snugly against your face and has more than 1 layer if you're in close contact with other people, or in crowded places

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Latest COVID-19 data updates

Updates on the latest data concerning the coronavirus pandemic are available from:

Winter vaccinations - Get Winter Strong

The NHS is inviting everyone eligible for a flu and COVID-19 vaccine to book online, via the app or by calling 119. The UKHSA is urging vulnerable groups to take up the flu vaccine as data shows last year’s programme prevented around 25,000 hospitalisations in England.

With the approach of winter and more indoor gatherings and seasonal social events the UKHSA Blog advises on respiratory infection guidance for a safer season.

Living safely with COVID-19

All remaining domestic COVID regulations have been lifted as part of the Living with COVID-19 Plan. COVID-19 remains a risk, it is still possible to catch and spread COVID-19, even if you are fully vaccinated.

You will not always know whether someone you come into contact with is at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from respiratory infections, including COVID-19. They could be strangers or people you may have regular contact with (for example friends and work colleagues).

There are simple things you can do in your daily life that will help reduce the spread of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections and protect those at highest risk. Things you can choose to do are:

  1. Get vaccinated.
  2. Improve ventilation. Let fresh air in if meeting others indoors.
  3. Practise good hygiene:
    • wash your hands
    • cover your coughs and sneezes
    • clean your surroundings frequently
  4. Wear a face covering or a face mask.

Face coverings and face masks can help reduce the chance of you spreading infection to others, especially in crowded and enclosed spaces, and may protect you from becoming infected by some respiratory viruses.

If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you are advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.

Guidance is available via GOV.UK:

Testing

Free testing for coronavirus (COVID-19) from the NHS has ended for most people in England. A small number of people are still able to get free COVID-19 tests from the NHS. Find out more about changes to testing for COVID-19 in England.

Travelling abroad

Check foreign travel advice for the country you are going to. The country you are visiting may have COVID-19 entry rules. You should check these before travelling.

Ventilation

As advised in the Living with COVID plan, employers and businesses should continue identifying poorly ventilated spaces and take steps to improve fresh air flow.

This film demonstrates the positive impact of reducing COVID-19 levels indoors by opening a window for just 10 minutes every hour when socialising with others.

Coronavirus spreads from person to person through small droplets, tiny airborne particles known as aerosols and through direct contact. While larger droplets fall quickly to the ground, smaller droplets and aerosols containing the virus can remain suspended in the air. If someone breathes in virus particles that are suspended in the air, they can become infected with COVID-19. This is known as airborne transmission. Airborne transmission is a very significant way that COVID-19 circulates.

In poorly ventilated rooms the amount of virus in the air can build up, increasing the risk of spreading COVID-19, especially if there are lots of infected people in the room. The virus can also remain in the air after an infected person has left. Bringing fresh air into a room and removing older stale air that contains virus particles reduces the chance of spreading COVID-19. The more fresh air that is brought inside, the quicker any airborne virus will be removed from the room.

Guidance on ventilation and how you can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 is available on GOV.UK.

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