The government has announced that we have formally moved out of the contain phase, and into the delay phase of tackling Coronavirus.
New measures have been introduced, including:
- Anyone who shows certain symptoms are advised to self-isolate for 7 days, regardless of whether of they have travelled to affected areas. This means that the Government want people to stay at home and avoid all but essential contact with others for 7 days from the point of displaying mild symptoms.
- These symptoms are a high temperature (37.8 degrees and above), and a new and continuous cough
- Older people over the age of 70 should not be going on cruise ship holidays.
- School trips abroad have now been banned.
As per the governments initial advice, the most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves remains to be washing their hands more often, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water. They have also reiterated the need to cough or sneeze into a tissue, put it in a bin and wash your hands.
The Government has also advised that you do not need to call NHS 111 to go into self-isolation. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after 7 days, contact NHS 111 online at 111.nhs.uk. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.
In the coming weeks, the Government will be introducing further social distancing measures for older and vulnerable people, asking them to self-isolate regardless of symptoms.
You can find the full government press release here.
You can also find the NHS guidance here.