Information on Coronavirus

Read the latest advice and information from NHS England and Public Health England about the Coronavirus.
Woman washing her hands

For the most up to date information about COVID-19 be sure to check Gov.uk.

If you think you might have coronavirus

Symptoms

  • A high temperature

  • A new, continuous cough
  • Loss or change in sense of smell or taste

What to do if you have these symptoms

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. You should stay at home and self isolate.

Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.

You must get a test. Find out more and book.

Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service if:

  • You feel you cannot cope with your symptoms at home
  • Your condition gets worse
  • Your symptoms do not get better after 7 days

Use the 111 coronavirus service

How to self isolate if you or someone in your house has coronavirus

Stay at home and self-isolate. Do not go to work, school, or public areas and do not use public transport or taxis. 

Your isolation period includes the day the first person in your household’s symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms, whether this was an LFD or PCR test), and the next 10 full days. 

For more information about when to self isolate and what this means for families visit the Government website.

Find out more

How to avoid catching or spreading germs

Do:

  • Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.

  • Put used tissues in the bin straight away.

  • Wash your hands with soap and water often, and for 20 seconds – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.

  • Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.

Don't:

  • Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.

Face masks - when to wear one

To find out which settings require you to wear a face mask click the link below.

You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a legitimate reason not to. This includes (but is not limited to):

  • young children under the age of 11 (Public Health England do not recommended face coverings for children under the age of 3 for health and safety reasons)
  • not being able to put on, wear or remove a face covering because of a physical or mental illness or impairment, or disability
  • if putting on, wearing or removing a face covering will cause you severe distress
  • if you are traveling with or providing assistance to someone who relies on lip reading to communicate
  • to avoid harm or injury, or the risk of harm or injury, to yourself or others
  • to avoid injury, or to escape a risk of harm, and you do not have a face covering with you
  • to eat or drink if reasonably necessary
  • in order to take medication
  • if a police officer or other official requests you remove your face covering

Find out more

Advice for people at high risk

People who are defined as clinically extremely vulnerable are at very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19. 

People who fall into this category will have been advised to ‘shield’. This word is used to describe how people at high-risk should protect themselves by not leaving their homes and minimising all face-to-face contact. 

Find out more

Getting tested for COVID-19

Guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test, how to get tested and the different types of test available is available on the Government's website.

Find out more

Further information

NHS England has produced a list of common questions about coronavirus, covering advice for you and your family, how it's caught and spread, prevention, self-isolation, testing and treatment and foreign travel. 

NHS common questions

Other places for information: