Coronavirus: latest guidance

Updated: 27 April 2021

Coronavirus restrictions remain in place across the country

In England:

only socialise indoors with people you live with or who are in your support bubble
up to 6 people or 2 households can meet outside
work from home if you can and minimise travel
if you have symptoms get a test and stay at home

For guidance on what you can and cannot do visit GOV.UK/coronavirus. You can read a summary of the road map here.

Changes to restrictions from 12 April

Some of the rules changed on 12 April - see the guidance on coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do.

You should get a test and follow the stay at home guidance if you have COVID-19 symptoms.

From 12 April changes include:

non-essential retail can reopen
personal care services such as hairdressers and nail salons can reopen, including those provided from a mobile setting
public buildings such as libraries and community centres can reopen
outdoor hospitality venues can reopen, with table service only
most outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) can reopen
some smaller outdoor events such as fetes, literary fairs, and fairgrounds can take place
indoor leisure and sports facilities can reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household or support bubble

COVID-19 vaccination programme

If you have been vaccinated you must continue to follow all of the guidance to help protect yourself and your friends, family, and community.

Information on the vaccination process is available from the NHS. The following groups can book their vaccination appointments now, you do not need to wait to be contacted by the NHS:

people aged 42 and over
people who will turn 42 before 1 July 2021
people at high risk from COVID-19 (clinically extremely vulnerable)
people who live or work in care homes
health and social care workers
people with a condition that puts them at higher risk (clinically vulnerable)
people with a learning disability
people who are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19

If you think you're an eligible unpaid carer who has not been contacted for your coronavirus vaccination, speak to your GP surgery.

For further information please visit the official guidance provided by the NHS and local information available from Herts County Council.

Guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable

If you have been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable, the advice to shield ended on 1 April. You must follow the the current coronavirus restrictions in place and are advised to continue to take extra precautions to protect yourself. You can view guidance on practical steps you can take here.

Hands, Face, Space, Fresh Air

Coronavirus spreads from person to person through small droplets, tiny airborne particles known as aerosols and through direct contact.

This video demonstrates why it is important to stay outside when meeting people not in your household or bubble.

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

The importance of ventilation

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 is available below:

Visit the GermDefence website for further advice on reducing the risks from COVID-19 in your home.

Further information is available on the Coronavirus: Protect yourself and others page.

Beware of COVID Scammers

Beware of vaccine scam messages where fraudsters send out fake texts offering a COVID vaccine in an attempt to steal personal and financial information. Further advice on how to spot COVID scams is available below:

Official guidance

If you have symptoms - Managing a possible coronavirus infection

Guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection - guidance if you or someone in your household have symptoms
Guidance for households with grandparents, parents and children living together where someone is at increased risk or has symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
Your Covid Recovery - NHS site providing information on what you might expect as part of your recovery and information for family, friends and carers

Get a Test

Self-isolation and support payments

Self-isolation if you or someone you live with has symptoms – NHS guidance on self-isolation
Coronavirus (COVID-19): how to self-isolate when you travel to the UK
Test and Trace Support Payments - To support those who are self-isolating and are struggling financially as a result, the new Test and Trace Support Payment scheme is for people on low incomes who are unable to work from home and will have a reduction in their income

Staying safe and social distancing

Test and Trace

Test and Trace: how it works - an overview of the Test and Trace service, including what happens if you test positive for coronavirus (COVID-19) or have had close contact with someone who has tested positive