National Lockdow - 12th April 2021
Some of the national lockdown rules on what you can and cannot do have now changed.
However, many restrictions remain in place. You still must not socialise indoors with anyone you do not live with, unless you have formed a support bubble with them, or another exemption applies.
You should continue to work from home if you can and minimise the number of journeys you make where possible. You should get a test and follow the stay at home guidance if you have COVID-19 symptoms.
From 12 April:
- non-essential retail can reopen
- personal care services such as hairdressers and nail salons can reopen, including those provided from a mobile setting
- public buildings such as libraries and community centres can reopen
- outdoor hospitality venues can reopen, with table service only
- most outdoor attractions including zoos, theme parks, and drive-in performances (such as cinemas and concerts) can reopen
- some smaller outdoor events such as fetes, literary fairs, and fairgrounds can take place
- indoor leisure and sports facilities can reopen for individual exercise, or exercise with your household or support bubble
- all childcare and supervised activities are allowed indoors (as well as outdoors) for all children. Parent and child groups can take place indoors (as well as outdoors) for up to 15 people (children under 5 will not be counted in this number)
- weddings, civil partnership ceremonies, wakes and other commemorative events can take place for up to 15 people (anyone working is not included in this limit), including in indoor venues that are permitted to open or where an exemption applies. Wedding receptions can also take place for up to 15 people, but must take place outdoors, not including private gardens
- self-contained accommodation can stay open for overnight stays in England with your household or support bubble
- care home residents will be able to nominate two named individuals for regular indoor visits (following a rapid lateral flow test)
- you should continue to work from home if you can and minimise the amount that you travel where possible
These changes are in addition to measures introduced in March which mean
- we can meet outdoors either in a group of 6 (from any number of households); or in a group of any size from up to 2 households (a household can include an existing support bubble, if eligible);
- we can take part in formally organised outdoor sports with any number of people (outdoor sports venues and facilities will be able to reopen);
- childcare and supervised activities are allowed outdoors for all children;
- formally organised parent and child groups can take place outdoors for up to 15 attendees. Children under 5 will not be counted in this number.
- Find out more about how the rules have changed.
- Link to an easy-read guide to Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do.
- Jak zmienią się zasady w dniu 12 kwietnia
- Zmena pravidiel od 12. apríla
- Sida ay xeerarka isu beddeli doonaan 12-ka Abriil
Keeping ourselves and others safe
We all still need to follow the guidance on how to stop the spread of coronavirus at all times, including if we have been vaccinated against COVID-19.
This includes staying 2 metres apart from anyone who is not in our household or support bubble where possible.
Face coverings
We need to wear a face covering in many indoor settings, such as shops and places of worship, and on public transport, unless exempt.
People who are clinically extremely vulnerable
From Thursday 1st April, people who are clinically extremely vulnerable, you could be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus will no longer be advised to shield.
If you are clinically extremely vulnerable, you should continue to follow the guidance and protect yourself.
COVID Testing
Anyone showing any of the symptoms of
- a new continuous cough
- a fever
- a loss of/ change in smell or taste
should immediately arrange to get a coronavirus test by visiting nhs.uk/coronavirus or calling 119
Walk-through SMART COVID-19 testing for residents who DON'T have COVID-19 symptoms is now taking place.
SMART testing will tell you if you have COVID-19. You will get your result in 30 minutes.
It is currently being prioritised for those who have to leave the house for work.
Find out out more about COVID testing for people who DO and DON'T have symptoms.
Find our Easy Read guide below
| Asymptomatic Testing Easy Read |  (pdf 733KB) |
Vaccinations
GPs, working together with Sefton’s two Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs), are rolling out COVID-19 vaccinations across the Borough.
People most at risk of COVID-19 or aged over 80, and care home staff and residents are being invited for their immunisation first. From Monday 18th January letters started being sent to people in England aged 70 and those listed as clinically extremely vulnerable.
People are asked not to contact their GP practice or the NHS to seek a vaccine. And when you are offered an appointment, please attend at the booked date and time.
Find out more about vaccination in Sefton.
T get a vaccination, you need to be registered with a GP surgery in England. You can register with a GP if you do not have one.
You can find the Government's Easy Read information here.
You can find more Easy Read documents about what to expect at your vaccine appointment and some reassurance about fertility and the vaccine on the government website.
Adult Social Care
Care Homes
Care homes will have to complete a risk assessment and develop a visiting policy which will determine if visits can go ahead and how they will be facilitated.
Care homes with outbreaks are not able to open to visitors.
The guidance can be found here
The Alzheimer's Society have some guidance on care home visits during COVID.
You can read it here