Latest advice and useful links
The latest Government guidance
A national lockdown was announced by the government and introduced with immediate effect on 4 January 2021 to control the spread of coronavirus.
Please do all you can to follow lockdown restrictions and public health advice to keep yourself and loved ones safe, including:
- Stay at home unless you're leaving the house for a permitted reason in which case, stay local
- Only leave home to exercise once a day - alone, with your household, support bubble or 1 person from another household
- You must work from home if you can
- You must not socialise indoors or outdoors with anyone you don't live with or are not in a support bubble with
- You must only travel for a permitted reason and walk or cycle where possible
- Schools will remain closed until February Half Term, except for vulnerable children and children of key workers
To read the guidance in full go to gov.uk/guidance/national-lockdown-stay-at-home
Advice for people who are more at risk from coronavirus
If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, the government will be writing to you to ask you to resume shielding. This means you should stay at home as much as possible but you're encouraged to leave the house to exercise because it's good for your physical and mental health. Please make sure you follow public health advice though. Please also continue to attend medical appointments.
If you haven't already done so, please register for the government's Shielding Support Service. This will enable you to register for a priority supermarket delivery slot and register your need for local support (if you have a priority delivery slot already, you will keep it). You will need your NHS number to apply, which you can find at the top of the letter from the government. If you need support to register, please call us on 020 7974 4444 (option 9).
You are strongly advised to work from home. If you cannot work from home, you should not go to work. To support your income, you may be able to be put on furlough or access Statutory Sick Pay or Employment Support Allowance. You can apply for both of these benefits at the same time online at gov.uk/employment-support-allowance/how-to-claim or by calling Job Centre Plus on 0800 169 0350. If you are worried about losing your job or have an employment-related question, you can access advice through a local voluntary sector organisation. Find out more at coronavirus-help.camden.gov.uk
Got coronavirus symptoms? Get tested at a local test site or via an at-home test kit
If you develop coronavirus symptoms, it's vital that you self-isolate and get tested. Requesting a test takes 5-10 minutes at nhs.uk/coronavirus or by calling 119 where you'll be given the option to book a test appointment at a nearby test site or you can request an at-home test kit. Find out more
We are now also offering rapid tests for people who need to work home for work and no dont have symptoms. Find out more and book a test.
Access support to self-isolate
Self-isolating is important because it will prevent you from passing it on to other people and keep those around you safe. If you need help to self-isolate, whether it be accessing food or medicine, support with your job and work needs, or help with your children’s education and caring responsibilities, please call us on 020 7974 4444 (option 9).
- You can find details of further support and advice available from the Government at gov.uk/find-coronavirus-support
- You can also find out more about accessing local support in Camden
Face coverings
Wearing a face covering is important because coronavirus usually spreads by droplets from coughs, sneezes and speaking. You can help prevent it spreading by covering your mouth and nose with a face covering but if it doesn’t cover both, it’s not going to work.
You must wear a face covering on public transport, in taxis and in all indoor public spaces. You could face a minimum fine of £200 for not wearing one.
The following people are exempt from wearing a face covering:
- Anyone under the age of 11
- Those with disabilities or certain health conditions, such as respiratory or cognitive impairments that make it difficult for them to wear a face covering
If you are exempt from wearing one, you can request a free print or digital exemption badge at gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own
Camden’s Local Outbreak Prevention and Control Plan
To learn more about the Council’s plans to prevent and control local cases of coronavirus, read its Local Outbreak Prevention and Control Plan (PDF) which explains how we will support all of our residents, communities and businesses to understand and follow public health advice to prevent and control the spread of coronavirus.
Download Camden's Local Outbreak Prevention and Control Plan (PDF)