The UK has moved into the ‘delay’ stage of its response to the coronavirus following an emergency Cobra meeting on Thursday, 12 March.
From Friday:
all people with flu-like symptoms – a fever above 37.8 C or a persistent cough – should self-isolate (stay at home, away from other people) for seven days
there are no closures for schools but this will be reviewed on a regular basis
schools will be advised not to take trips abroad
older people and those with pre-existing health conditions should avoid cruises
Further measures will be taken as the number of coronavirus infections moves towards its peak:
Older people and those with health conditions will be advised to cut social contact and stay at home
If someone in your home falls ill, the whole household will be told to isolate itself for 14 days
It is hoped these steps could significantly reduce the number of infections and cut deaths by up to a third.
Updated information for countries affected
If someone has returned from these specific areas in the last 14 days, they should self-isolate even if
they do not have symptoms. If they do develop symptoms, they should use NHS111 online at 111.nhs.uk (if they have no internet access, they should call NHS111).
The areas are:
Iran
Italy – (this applies to the whole of Italy if the individual has returned after 9th March, when the Italian government extended the lockdown to the entire country.)
Special care zones in South Korea as designated by the Government of the Republic of South Korea
Hubei province
If the individual returned before 9 March and has symptoms, they should use NHS111 online at 111.nhs.uk (if they have no internet access, they should call NHS111).
If the individual returned before 9 March and does not have symptoms, they should only self isolate if they have been in the original locked-down region of Lombardy and provinces of Modena, Parma, Piacenza, Reggio Emilia, Rimini, Pesaro and Urbino, Alessandria, Asti, Novara, Verbano Cusio Ossola, Vercelli, Padua, Treviso and Venice in the preceding 2 weeks.
If someone has returned from the following areas in the last 14 days and develops symptoms, however mild, of acute respiratory infection including at least one of:
shortness of breath or cough (with or without fever)
OR fever with no other symptoms
they should self-isolate at home immediately and use NHS111 online at 111.nhs.uk (if they have no internet access, they should call NHS111). They do not need to self-isolate if they have no symptoms.
These areas are:
China (except Hubei province which is listed above)
Hong Kong
Macau
Taiwan
Japan
Malaysia
Republic of Korea (except areas which are listed above)
Singapore
Thailand
Vietnam
Cambodia
Laos
Myanmar
Stop panic buying
The government is “confident” food supplies will not run out, amid concerns over coronavirus, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has said.
Mr Hancock said there was “absolutely no need” for people to buy in excess.
“The government has supplies of the key things that are needed. And within the food supply, we are absolutely confident that there won’t be a problem there,” he said.
“Crucially, we are working with the supermarkets to make sure that, if people are self-isolating, then we will be able to get the food and supplies that they need.”
Public Health England (PHE) recommends that the following general cold and flu precautions are taken to help prevent people from catching and spreading COVID-19.
Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze. Catch it, Bin it, Kill it
Put used tissues in the bin straight away
Wash your hands with soap and water often – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available. See hand washing guidance
Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces
Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
The Latest information can be found on the NHS website
Please ensure any information you do consult is from a reliable sources, including the NHS, or the Public Health England.
