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Moving Forward Safely - Remember What You Can and Cannot Do (COVID Update - 23 April) As the ‘roadmap’ out of lockdown continues to roll out, please remember to keep following the latest guidelines – for the latest information, please see the GOV.UK website. Remember hands, face, space, fresh air. Symptom free testing update Residents can now pick up tests from 322 community pharmacies across the county, as well as ordering them online. With tests being so readily available, coupled with the decreasing case numbers in the county, KCC has announced that some of the symptom free testing sites in Kent will be closing at the end of April. However, one symptom free test site in each district will remain open, for people who choose not to access self-test kits. The testing site at Dover Discovery Centre will close on 30 April. Residents will be able to use the centre at The Guildhall in Sandwich, CT13 9AH, which will remain open until the end of May. For more information, please see the KCC website. Recent government advice that everyone in England should now be taking a symptom free test twice a week, was accompanied by the news that tests will now be available from pharmacies, workplaces and also to order online. Nearly all community pharmacies in Kent have joined the collect scheme. For more information on symptom free testing, please see the NHS website, or for information on where to get lateral flow tests, including community pharmacies, please click here. Residents are still encouraged to visit symptom free tests sites across the county but are advised to check and book online. If you are experiencing any of the COVID-19 symptoms you should NOT visit a symptom free testing site, and should continue to self-isolate. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should book a test online or by calling 119. ‘Roadmap’ update 12 April: What’s changed Some of the rules on what you can and cannot do changed on 12 April. However, many restrictions remain in place. You must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with, unless you have formed a support bubble with them, or another exemption applies. You should continue to work from home if you can and minimise the number of journeys you make where possible. You should get a test and follow the stay at home guidance if you have COVID-19 symptoms. For more information on how COVID-19 restrictions will be eased, please see the ‘COVID-19 Response - Spring 2021’ (the roadmap). From 12 April: - Non-essential retail can reopen
- Personal care services such as hairdressers and nail salons can reopen, including those provided from a mobile setting
- Public buildings such as libraries and community centres can reopen
- Outdoor hospitality venues can reopen, with table service only
- Most outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) can reopen
- Some smaller outdoor events such as fetes, literary fairs, and fairgrounds can take place
- Indoor leisure and sports facilities can reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household or support bubble
- All childcare and supervised activities are allowed indoors (as well as outdoors) for all children. Parent and child groups can take place indoors (as well as outdoors) for up to 15 people (children under 5 will not be counted in this number)
- Weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, wakes and other commemorative events can take place for up to 15 people (anyone working is not included in this limit), including in indoor venues that are permitted to open or where an exemption applies. Wedding receptions can also take place for up to 15 people, but must take place outdoors, not including private gardens
- Self-contained accommodation can stay open for overnight stays in England with your household or support bubble
- Care home residents will be able to nominate two named individuals for regular indoor visits (following a rapid lateral flow test)
- You should continue to work from home if you can and minimise the amount that you travel where possible.
For more information, please see the GOV.UK website. Keep up-to-date During the pandemic, we're keeping all our social media channels updated with the latest news and advice, so please keep following us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. |