Coronavirus (Covid-19) – Practical Help and Local Services in Sevenoaks and Tonbridge
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Coronavirus (Covid-19) – practical help and local services in Sevenoaks and Tonbridge Last amended 23 September 2021. You will find the most up-to-date version of this on our website at www.ageuksevenoaksandtonbridge.org.uk or: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/sevenoaksandtonbridge/our-services/information-and- advice/downloads/ Details are subject to change, please check with the organisation concerned. If you cannot find what you are looking for please contact us as we may be able to help further. Amendments and additions are also welcome. We publish other local information packs covering: Care agencies Care homes Health and wellbeing Help at home Housing Legal advice and power of attorney Memory loss and dementia Money matters Social activities Age UK Sevenoaks & Tonbridge is a registered charity no. 1088213 Tel: 01732 454108. Web: www.ageuksevenoaksandtonbridge.org.uk Please be aware that the situation may change. If you have access to the internet you should check the latest situation on websites you can trust at: Health information: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus Government guidance: www.gov.uk/coronavirus Age UK website: www.ageuk.org.uk/coronavirus-info BBC website: www.bbc.co.uk/news 1 Contents Meeting other people ........................................................................................................... 8 The Covid Winter Plan ..................................................................................................... 8 Are there any limits on meeting other people? ................................................................ 8 What is happening with social distancing? ...................................................................... 8 Other safety measures .................................................................................................... 8 Alert system ..................................................................................................................... 9 Face coverings .................................................................................................................... 9 Are face coverings compulsory? ...................................................................................... 9 Where is it advisable? ...................................................................................................... 9 Why use a face covering? ............................................................................................. 10 What is the difference between face coverings, face masks and visors? ...................... 10 What sort of face covering is best? ................................................................................ 10 If you feel unwell or are displaying symptoms .................................................................... 10 Common symptoms ....................................................................................................... 10 When and how to contact the NHS ................................................................................ 11 Self-isolating if you are unwell or may have come into contact .......................................... 12 When do you need to self-isolate? ................................................................................ 12 If you live with or have been in close contact with someone who is self-isolating .......... 12 What does self-isolation mean? ..................................................................................... 13 Support for people who are self-isolating ....................................................................... 14 Self-isolating if you have been abroad ............................................................................... 14 Red-list countries ........................................................................................................... 14 Other countries .............................................................................................................. 15 Tests if you have been abroad ...................................................................................... 15 Exemptions to quarantine .............................................................................................. 15 Support for people who are quarantining ....................................................................... 15 Reducing quarantine (“Test and Release”) .................................................................... 16 Vulnerable and extremely vulnerable people ..................................................................... 16 Who is extremely vulnerable? ........................................................................................ 16 Support for people who were “shielding”? ..................................................................... 17 Who is generally vulnerable? ......................................................................................... 17 Support for people who are vulnerable or extremely vulnerable .................................... 18 What to do if you feel unwell .......................................................................................... 18 If you are worried about someone you don’t live with .................................................... 19 The NHS Covid Pass (“vaccine passports”) ....................................................................... 19 When could you be asked for vaccination proof? .......................................................... 19 How do you get an NHS Covid Pass? ........................................................................... 19 Will foreign destinations accept the NHS Covid pass? .................................................. 20 Businesses and venues ..................................................................................................... 20 Restaurants and pubs .................................................................................................... 20 Accommodation ............................................................................................................. 20 Gyms, swimming pools, outdoor sport facilities and outdoor sports .............................. 20 Entertainment venues .................................................................................................... 20 Outdoor attractions ........................................................................................................ 20 Personal care facilities ................................................................................................... 21 Public buildings .............................................................................................................. 21 Tests for people with symptoms ........................................................................................ 21 When to get tested......................................................................................................... 21 Where to get tested ....................................................................................................... 21 Booking a test ................................................................................................................ 21 What it involves ............................................................................................................. 21 Tests for essential workers and their households .......................................................... 21 Tests for people living in care homes ............................................................................ 22 2 Home tests .................................................................................................................... 22 If you need to return a home testing kit .......................................................................... 22 Testing negative and going back to work ....................................................................... 22 Testing positive and providing other people’s information ............................................. 23 What is an antibody test? .............................................................................................. 23 Tests for people without symptoms ................................................................................... 23 Where to get tested ....................................................................................................... 23 Booking a test ................................................................................................................ 24 What it involves ............................................................................................................. 24 Vaccination ........................................................................................................................ 24 Who can be vaccinated at present? .............................................................................. 24 How to get a vaccine ..................................................................................................... 24 Which vaccine will you get? ........................................................................................... 24 Side-effects .................................................................................................................... 25 How soon can you get a second jab? ............................................................................ 25 Booster vaccinations...................................................................................................... 25 Vaccinations for children ...............................................................................................