Current Covid guidance
The Government moved to step 4 of the roadmap on 19 July, a new phase of continued caution whilst managing the risks of COVID-19.
This information has been taken from the Government website which provides detailed information about restrictions and safety measures. Find out more at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-summer-2021-roadmap/moving-to-step-4-of-the-roadmap.
The pandemic is not over. Step 4 does not mark the end of the need for caution and restraint. At step 4, while many of the legal restrictions that the Government has imposed through the pandemic have been lifted, cautious guidance remains, making it clear this is not yet a return to normal. Everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious.
Key Protections
- testing when you have symptoms and targeted asymptomatic testing in education, high risk workplaces and to help people manage their personal risk.
- isolating when positive or when contacted by NHS Test and Trace or when advised to by the NHS COVID-19 app.
- border quarantine: for all arriving from red list countries, and for those people arriving from amber list countries, other than those UK residents fully vaccinated in the UK vaccine programme.
- cautious guidance for individuals, businesses and the vulnerable whilst prevalence is high including:
- whilst Government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can, Government expects and recommends a gradual return over the coming months;
- Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport;
- being outside or letting fresh air in; and
- minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts.
- encouraging and supporting businesses and large events to use the NHS COVID Pass in high risk settings to help to limit the risk of infection. The Government will work with organisations that operate large, crowded settings where people are likely to be in close proximity to others outside their household to encourage the use of the NHS COVID Pass. If sufficient measures are not taken to limit infection, the Government will consider mandating the NHS COVID Pass in certain venues at a later date.
Vaccinations
People aged 16 and over are now eligible for the COVID-19 vaccine. Some children aged 12 to 15 who have a higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, or who live with someone at high risk of catching it, are also eligible for the vaccine.
Adults aged 18 or over can book a vaccination, or manage an existing appointment, here, or can schedule a vaccination by calling 119. Under-16’s cannot use this service and will be contacted by the NHS to arrange an appointment, however most walk-in centres are now vaccinating this age group.
Walk-in vaccination clinics are still taking place at locations across Birmingham and Solihull for first doses and those eligible to receive a second dose, with most now offering the vaccine to ages 16+. Walk-in clinic locations, times and age-ranges can be checked here.