Important information about the coronavirus (COVID-19)
Help the NHS respond to Coronavirus
Use the quick NHS Coronavirus status checker to tell us about your current experience of the virus
This will help the NHS plan its response to coronavirus by showing where the virus is spreading and how it affects people.
Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of coronavirus.
This includes people of all ages – even if you do not have any symptoms or other health conditions.
You should only leave your home for very limited purposes:
- Shopping for basic essentials, for example food and medicine which must be as infrequent as possible
- One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household
- Any medical need, including to donate blood, to avoid or escape risk of injury or harm, or to provide care or help a vulnerable person
- Travelling for work purposes, but only where you cannot work from home
These reasons are exceptions – even when doing these activities, you should be minimising time spent outside of the home and ensuring you are 2 metres apart from anyone outside of your household.
There is separate advice:
- If you’re at a higher risk of getting seriously ill from Coronavirus
- About self-isolation if you or someone you live with has symptoms of Coronavirus
To help yourself stay well while you’re at home:
- Stay in touch with family and friends over the phone or on social media
- Try to keep yourself busy – you could try activities like cooking, reading, online learning and watching films
- Do light exercise at home, or outside once a day NHS fitness studio: exercises you can do at home
If you need medical help for any reason, do not go to places like a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
If you have symptoms of coronavirus (a high temperature or a new, continuous cough), use the 111 coronavirus service.
If you need help or advice not related to coronavirus:
- For health information and advice, use the have NHS website or your GP surgery website
- For urgent medical help, use the NHS 111 online service – only call 111 if you’re unable to get help online
- For life-threatening emergencies, call 999 for an ambulance
Read the full advice on protecting yourself if you’re at high risk from coronavirus on GOV.UK.
If you live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus, you can get an isolation note , you do not need to get a note from a GP.
Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
For further information go to nhs.uk/coronavirus or gov.uk/coronavirus