Covid-19 Latest Guidance

On 21 February 2022 the government announced the Living with COVID Strategy. The strategy is the government’s plan for removing the remaining COVID-19 related legal and domestic restrictions in England. However, there are still steps you can take to reduce the risk of catching and spreading COVID-19:

  • Get vaccinated
  • Let fresh air in if meeting indoors, or meet outside
  • Consider wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces
  • Get tested if you have COVID-19 symptoms, and stay at home if positive
  • Wash your hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with warm water and soap

Below is a summary timeline of the government’s planned changes.

From 21 February

  • Advice to conduct twice a week rapid tests removed for education and childcare settings

From 24 February

  • No legal requirement to self-isolate if people test positive
  • TheCOVID-19 isolation support payment ends
    • Statutory sick pay to continue until 24 March
  • Close contacts of a case do not need to do daily testing for 7 days
  • Close contacts who are not fully vaccinated do not need to isolate

From 24 March

  • Statutory sick pay provisions for COVID-19 stop

From 1 April

  • Advice to isolate if COVID-19 positive stops, moving to ‘personal responsibility’
  • Free testing (symptomatic and asymptomatic) stops
    • Will continue to make symptomatic testing available for oldest age and high risk groups (details to be confirmed)
    • Testing will be available to purchase
  • Voluntary COVID status evidence no longer required but NHS app will continue to be available as evidence for travel

Find out more on the .gov.uk website

All adults in England aged over 16 years old are now eligible for a Covid-19 booster three months after their second dose.12-15 year olds are now eligible for a second Covid-19 vaccine 12 weeks after their first dose. Our website has detailed information on how you can get your COVID-19 vaccination in Newham.