The government has published its plan for living with COVID-19. Read the plan by clicking here.

COVID-19 remains a risk

• Getting vaccinated. 
• Letting fresh air in if meeting indoors or meeting outside. 
• Wearing a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, especially when encountering people you do not usually meet. 
• Trying to stay at home if unwell. 
• Taking a test if displaying COVID-19 symptoms and staying at home and avoiding contact with other people if testing positive. 
• Washing hands.

What to do if you have symptoms or test positive for COVID-19​

• If you have COVID-19 symptoms, have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, try to stay at home and avoid contact with others. View a full list of COVID-19 symptoms here.
• Take these measures until you no longer have a high temperature (if you had one) or until you no longer feel unwell. For further guidance click here.

What to do if you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19

• If you’ve had contact with someone who’s tested positive, it can take up to 10 days for COVID-19 to develop. This means you could pass on the virus to other people, even if you do not have symptoms.
• There are important steps you can take to reduce the chance of passing COVID-19 on to others. Click here to read NHS guidance on reducing the spread.

Testing for COVID-19

• Most people can no longer access free universal symptomatic testing.
• Lateral flow tests are available to purchase from most major pharmacy chains.
• Free COVID-19 tests are still available to help protect specific groups, including eligible patients, NHS and care staff. Click here to find out more.

Who can get a booster

• Adults can pre-book a booster dose appointment 2 months after their second dose.
• You can get your booster dose 3 months after your second dose.
• Young people can now get their second vaccination if it has been more than 12 weeks since their first dose.
• 5-11- year olds are eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, bookable via the National Booking Service. Update 22 April 2022: We are aware of an issue on the National Booking Service website which is preventing sites in Northumberland offering these vaccines from showing up. Work is underway to address this issue. An update will be published on our social channels and website once we have been notified that the problem has been resolved.

An additional COVID Spring booster is being offered to certain vulnerable groups. This includes:

• People aged 75 years and over. 
• Residents in care homes for older adults.
• People aged 12 years and over who have a weakened immune system.

The dose will be offered at around six months after their previous dose of the vaccine.

The NHS will contact those who are eligible for the booster. 

Travel measures 

• The Government has removed all remaining restrictions on international travel.
• It is important to check the guidance in your destination country before travelling.
• For further guidance please click here.