COVID-19, also known as Coronavirus poses a significant threat to health. Government and expert advice is evolving day by day. It is important to take government advice seriously.
There are varying levels of advice for different groups. Shielding for the most vulnerable. Self-isolation for those with symptoms, Household-isolation for those living with someone with symptoms, strong social-distancing for vulnerable groups and social distancing for the whole population.
Information is available from Swale Borough Council, Swale Means Business, Kent County Council, Faversham Town Council and Central Government
please note details in this article are correct at time of publication and may have changed.
9pm update
people are only be allowed to leave their home for the following very limited purposes:
- shopping for basic necessities, as infrequently as possible
- one form of exercise a day - for example a run, walk, or cycle - alone or with members of your household;
- any medical need, to provide care or to help a vulnerable person; and
- travelling to and from work, but only where this is absolutely necessary and cannot be done from home.
That’s all - these are the only reasons you should leave your home.
You should not be meeting friends. If your friends ask you to meet, you should say No.
You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home.
STAY HOME PROTECT THE NHS SAVE LIVES
Shielding |
People falling into this extremely vulnerable group include:
Shielding is for your personal protection, it is your choice to decide whether to follow the measures we advise. Individuals who have been given a prognosis of less than 6 months to live, and some others in special circumstances, could decide not to undertake shielding. This will be a deeply personal decision. We advise calling your GP or specialist to discuss this. The NHS in England is directly contacting people with these conditions to provide further advice. If you think you fall into one of the categories of extremely vulnerable people listed above and you have not received a letter by Sunday 29 March 2020 or been contacted by your GP, you should discuss your concerns with your GP or hospital clinician. We understand this is an anxious time and people considered extremely vulnerable will understandably have questions and concerns. Plans are being readied to make sure you can rely on a wide range of help and support. |
STAY AT HOME. Visits from people who provide essential support to you such as healthcare, personal support with your daily needs or social care should continue, but carers and care workers must stay away if they have any of the symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19). You may find this guidance on home care provision useful. All people coming to your home should wash their hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds on arrival to your house and often whilst they are there. You should have an alternative list of people who can help you with your care if your main carer becomes unwell. You can also contact your local council for advice on how to access care. The measures are:
Do use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services. We know that stopping these activities will be difficult. You should try to identify ways of staying in touch with others and participating in your normal activities remotely from your home. However, you must not participate in alternative activities if they involve any contact with other people. Ask family, friends and neighbours to support you and use online services. If this is not possible, then the public sector, business, charities, and the general public are gearing up to help those advised to stay at home. Please discuss your daily needs during this period of staying at home with carers, family, friends, neighbours or local community groups to see how they can support you. Please visit gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable from Tuesday 24 March 2020 to register for the support that you need. This includes help with food, shopping deliveries and additional care you might need. The government is helping pharmacies to deliver prescriptions. Prescriptions will continue to cover the same length of time as usual. If you do not currently have your prescriptions collected or delivered, you can arrange this by:
You may also need to arrange for collection or delivery of hospital specialist medication that is prescribed to you by your hospital care team. If you receive support from health and social care organisations, for example, if you have care provided for you through the local authority or health care system, this will continue as normal. Your health or social care provider will be asked to take additional precautions to make sure that you are protected. The advice for formal carers is included in the home care provision. |
at least 12 weeks from the day you receive your letter. Please note that this period of time could change. |
Self Isolation | people with symptoms that may be caused by coronavirus, and do not require hospital treatment, who must remain at home until they are well |
Stay at homeDo not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transport or taxis. Do not go out even to buy food or other essentials. If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you will need to ask friends or relatives. Alternatively, you can order medication by phone or online. You can also order your shopping online. Make sure you tell delivery drivers to leave items outside for collection if you order online. The delivery driver should not come into your home. If you are an employee and unable to work due to coronavirus, please refer to this guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions to find out about the support that is available to you. |
7 days from when symptoms started |
Household Isolation | those living in households with someone who shows symptoms that may be caused by coronavirus |
Stay at home. Do not go to work, school, or public areas, and do not use public transport or taxis. If possible, you should not go out even to buy food or other essentials, other than exercise, and in that case at a safe distance from others. The 14-day period starts from the day the first person in your house became ill. If you require help with buying groceries, other shopping or picking up medication, or walking a dog, you will need to ask friends or relatives. Alternatively, you can order medication by phone or online. You can also order your shopping online. Make sure you tell delivery drivers to leave items outside for collection if you order online. The delivery driver should not come into your home. If you are an employee and unable to work due to coronavirus, please refer to this guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions to find out about the support that is available to you. |
14 days from when the first person in the household shows symptoms |
Strong Social Distancing |
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Say home as much as possible. Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce social interaction between people. This will help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19). They are to:
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until further notice |
Social Distancing | Everyone else |
Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce social interaction between people. This will help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19). They are to:
|
until further notice |
Businesses
Government are looking for businesses to support in the production and supply of ventilators and ventilator components. more details can be found here
Stay up to date with advice and support for businesses visit Swale Means Business website