Restrictions to ease but the pandemic is not over yet
The Government has announced how COVID-19 restrictions may change on 19 July and the five principles they will apply to manage the pandemic. However, the pandemic is not over so we can’t drop our guard yet.
Until 19 July, Coronavirus restrictions remain in place, even if you have been vaccinated.
- You can meet indoors in a group of up to 6 people or a group of any size from 2 households
- You can meet outside in a group of up to 30 people
- Work from home if you can and travel safely
- If you have symptoms get a test and stay at home
Remember Hands Face Space Fresh Air!
Get vaccinated now
Vaccines are significantly reducing the link between infections and severe disease and death. However, the pandemic is not over. Cases are rising rapidly in our area and across the country, and hospitalisations are also increasing.
Vigilance must be maintained, and we must continue to act carefully and proportionately, to manage the risks to ourselves and others.
The recent spread of the Delta variant, now dominant and estimated to be 40-80% more transmissible than the previously dominant Alpha variant, demonstrates how quickly the situation can change. The success of the vaccine programme means that hospitalisations are expected to rise more slowly than in previous waves though the rate of growth and duration of the wave remain uncertain.
The Government will decide whether to end restrictions after assessing the situation, including the impact on the NHS, on 12 July.
When England moves to the next stage, the Government will continue to manage the risk of serious illness from the spread of the virus through:
- Vaccinations for everyone aged 18 and above, with 2nd doses available 8 weeks after the first jab – book your vaccination or look for the walk-in options.
- Providing public guidance, rather than laws.
- Keeping good access to tests, contact tracing and helping to support people to isolate when required.
- Managing risks at the border and supporting the global response to reduce the risk of variants emerging globally and entering the UK.
- Retaining contingency measures to respond to unexpected events
Until then, the best way out of this is to
- Get vaccinated – first and second doses
- Get a rapid lateral flow test twice a week if you have no symptoms
- Get a PCR test if you have any symptoms
- Remember Hands Face Space Fresh Air
Get a rapid test if you don’t have symptoms
Everyone without symptoms can now get a free, rapid COVID-19 test. You can get a test and collect test kits to use at home from your local library, from our test sites in Biggleswade, Flitwick, Dunstable and Leighton Buzzard, from local pharmacies or online. Find out more here.