| 
Staying Cautious Following Move to Step 4 - (COVID Update – 23 July 2021) Following the move to Step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown this week, please remember to stay cautious and help protect yourself and others. For all the latest information, please see the GOV.UK website. Step 4 from 19 July From Monday (19 July), England has moved to Step 4 of the roadmap. Everyone should be cautious while managing the risks as cases of COVID-19 remain high. For more information on how to protect yourself and others, see Government guidance. Lifting restrictions Most legal restrictions to control COVID-19 have been lifted at Step 4. This means that: - You do not need to stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with. There are also no limits on the number of people you can meet
- However, in order to minimise risk at a time of high prevalence, you should limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with, and increase close contact gradually. This includes minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts
- You should meet outdoors where possible and let fresh air into homes or other enclosed spaces
- The Government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can. However, the Government expects and recommends a gradual return over the summer
- The requirement to wear face coverings in law has been lifted. However, the Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport
- There are no longer limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, civil partnerships, funerals and other life events (including receptions and celebrations). There is no requirement for table service at life events, or restrictions on singing or dancing. You should follow guidance for weddings and funerals to reduce risk and protect yourself and others
- There are no longer restrictions on group sizes for attending communal worship
- COVID-19 has not gone away, so it’s important to remember the actions you can take to keep yourself and others safe. Everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious.
For more information, please see the GOV.UK website. Vaccinations update The CCG is reminding people that everyone aged over 18 can now get the vaccine and anyone within 3 months of their 18th birthday can also get vaccinated. Booked appointments are available through the national booking service by calling 119 or booking online - and walk-in options will continue through the summer. The vaccination team at The Open in Sandwich vaccinated 1,635 people. There is also a mobile vaccination team taking a bus out to areas with lower uptake and events. All the pop-up clinics and sites where you can walk-in with no need to book are listed on a handy Walk-in vaccines map that is updated constantly. For more information on COVID vaccinations, please see the CCG website. Symptom-free testing update Symptom-free home testing kits are widely available at pharmacies and workplaces across Kent and can also be ordered online and delivered to your door. Everyone without symptoms should get tested twice per week. It's important to get tested regularly to make sure you are not unknowingly spreading the virus. For more information on symptom-free testing, please see the NHS website. You can book a test for people with symptoms by visiting the GOV.UK website or by calling 119. Keep up-to-date 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. |