Coronavirus: your questions answered

Yes. The new Government guidance applies to everyone, and from 1 August this includes those who are considered clinically extremely vulnerable and were previously advised to shield.

If you are over 70, living with an underlying health condition, or considered clinically extremely vulnerable it’s a good idea to take extra care when going out as being older does carry increased risk from coronavirus. Make sure you are stringent about hand hygiene and where possible you should stay 2 metres away from those not in your household or support bubble. Where 2 metres isn’t possible then you should follow the 1 metre plus rule. This means that you can be 1 metre away from people outside of your household so long as you take additional precautions when doing so, such as wearing a face covering or meeting outside.

You may also wish to think about limiting the number of people you meet as the more people you meet up with the higher the risk of transmission. Although you can meet up with one other household indoors, you may prefer to see people in outdoor spaces, where the risk of coronavirus spreading is lower. If you do decide to meet with people in an inside space, it is best to go to places which are spacious, have fewer people there, and are well-ventilated. If people from outside of your household or support bubble come to your house, open the windows to let fresh air in. 

As attractions and restaurants start to open, you might want to avoid places which you know will be busy and where it will be harder to socially distance.

If you live alone and want to form a support bubble, there are some things you could think about to make it safer. Joining up with a smaller household means you will be in contact with fewer people and therefore the risk of infection is smaller. You may also want to avoid joining up with a household which is more exposed to coronavirus. For example, if there are people in the household who are healthcare workers and potentially seeing people with coronavirus, then forming a social bubble with them would be higher risk.

The Government have announced that as part of their recovery plan, and due to the continued downward trend of the infection rate, some elements of the current guidance will be changed from 4 July, as well as the opening of more businesses. The changes include the following:

• Two households can meet in any location, indoors and outdoors. This includes homes, gardens, parks, pubs and restaurants - provided you can maintain social distance measures with anyone not in your household or support bubble. This includes staying overnight in your homes or away from your home for example in a holiday home. You can meet with different households at different times but should not meet up with more than one other household at a time in indoor settings. The rules about cars will not be changing and you should still not travel in a car with anyone who is outside of your household or support bubble, as it is not possible to socially distance in cars.
• You can continue to meet with up to 5 other people from different households in outdoor settings following social distancing guidelines
• Where possible 2 metre distance is still preferable but where it’s more difficult you should follow the 1 metre plus rule This means that you can stay 1 metre away so long as you take extra precautions at the same time. Extra precautions would include things like wearing a face covering or meeting up outside.

It is important that we all take care and continue to practice good hygiene and respiratory practices, such as frequent hand washing, and catching sneezes and coughs in a tissue.

If you are considered clinically vulnerable (e.g. you are over 70 or have an underlying health condition) or clinically extremely vulnerable (so you have previously been advised to shield) then this guidance will also apply to you, however it is still advisable for you to take extra care to minimise your contact with others outside of your household and make sure to follow social distancing guidelines.

You can find more guidance and advice if you are considered clinically extremely vulnerable here.

This question is aimed at those in clinically vulnerable groups (over 70, under 70 with underlying health conditions) that do not fall into the extremely clinically vulnerable group who have been advised to shield. If you're employed and have been advised to shield because you are extremely clinically vulnerable you should be entitled to statutory sick pay. If you are a care worker aged 70 or over please see the general guidance for people working in social care. 

The government has published guidance about how employers can make work environments safer for workers and minimise the risk of Coronavirus infections. 

Workers aged 70 or over, people with long-term health conditions, and pregnant women are considered to be ‘clinically vulnerable’, which means they are more likely to have a severe illness if they become infected with the coronavirus. 

For this reason, workers aged 70 are over should be helped to work from home, either in their current role or in an alternative role. 

If workers aged over 70 cannot work from home, they should be offered the option of the ‘safest available on-site roles’, this means roles which enable workers to stay 2m away from others.

If workers aged 70 or over have to spend time within 2m of others, employers have been advised to carefully assess whether this involves an acceptable level of risk. Guidance acknowledges that no one is obliged to work in an unsafe work environment. Particular attention should also be paid to people who live with clinically extremely vulnerable individuals.

If you do have to go into your place of work, the government has advised that you should try to cycle, walk or drive wherever possible, only using public transport if absolutely necessary. 

It remains the case that anyone who has symptoms, however mild, or is in a household or support bubble where someone has symptoms, should not leave their house to go to work. Those people should self-isolate.

Things you should know as a worker:

• Employers have a duty to consult their people on health and safety. 
• Employers must consult with the health and safety representative selected by a recognised trade union or, if there isn’t one, a representative chosen by workers. Employers cannot decide who the representative will be.
• Employers must consider actions which mitigate risks such as
  • increasing the frequency of hand washing and surface cleaning
  • keeping the activity time involved as short as possible
  • using screens or barriers to separate people from each other
  • using back-to-back or side-to-side working (rather than face-to-face) whenever possible
  • reducing the number of people each person has contact with by using ‘fixed teams or partnering’ (so each person works with only a few others).

If you're a worker and you are concerned about your ability to work safely then you can raise a concern with you employee representative, contact your trade union if you have one, or contact Health and Safety Executive (HSE) online or by phone on 0300 003 1647.

If you or someone in your household or support bubble develops symptoms of coronavirus or receives a positive coronavirus test then you will need to self-isolate. You should also self-isolate if you are advised to do so by the test and trace service or have returned to the UK from certain locations.

If you are self-isolating then you should not be leaving the house, including to buy essentials or get medical supplies. You should speak to friends, family and trusted neighbours to see if they can support you to get the supplies you need during this time, whether prescriptions or food.When doing this they should leave any supplies on your doorstep to avoid spreading the virus.

Alternatively you can look at online delivery slots, most supermarkets are prioritising their online delivery slots for the most vulnerable so you should check with individual supermarkets for more information.

You can also speak to your pharmacy about organising a medication delivery.

Anyone who is self-isolating for any reason can get support from the NHS Volunteer Responder Scheme for shopping, medication delivery and check in and chat calls. To self-refer you can call 0808 196 3646. For more information and to see whether you are eligible for this support please see here.

It’s completely understandable to be worried during this time – you won’t be alone in feeling this way.

There’s lot going on at the moment and lots of things are being affected. Also, while it’s important to stay up to date with the latest information, staying glued to the news all day can be overwhelming.

Our Coronavirus hub has lots of information which will hopefully answer questions you have – we’re updating this regularly with the most up to date information. There’s also lots of tips on how to maintain your wellbeing during this difficult time and what to do if you’re worried about others. 

If you can’t find what you’re looking for there are a couple of numbers you can call:

• Age UK advice line for information
• The Silver Line for a friendly chat

It is now possible for you to visit older friends or relatives, however there is still guidance in place to keep everyone safe.

• If you or an older relative or friend live alone or in a single adult household then you can form a support bubble. This means that you can see each other indoors and outdoors and do not need to socially distance from one another. You are only able to be in a support bubble with one other household.
• You are also able to spend time indoors with people from one other household at a time. This could be visiting places such as pubs or restaurants or spending time in each other’s houses. This is different from being in a support bubble as when you meet up you need to try to stay at least two metres away from each other.
• You can meet up with people from multiple households outside, so long as there is not more than six people in the group. Even when you are outside you should try to stay at least 2 metres away from people outside of your household or support bubble. If this is not possible stay at least 1 metre away.
• If you usually provide essential care, either as a formal or informal carer, then you can carry on doing this. You should take precautions though, including washing your hands regularly with warm water and soap. If you are not in a support bubble with the person you care for, you should try to socially distance from them, however we know this will not always be possible.

You shouldn’t be meeting up with others or going outside at all if you or anyone in your support bubble or household has symptoms of coronavirus or has tested positive for coronavirus. You also should not leave the house if you are self-isolating after advice from the Test and Trace service or you are quarantining after returning to the UK from certain other locations.

For more information on visiting someone in a hospital or care home, take a look at our information here.

If you can’t see your loved ones it can be difficult. Why not still keep in contact safely over the phone, via text or a video call?

We have been overwhelmed with offers of support for older people which has been amazing. For some ideas on how you can help in your area, please see our neighbourly volunteering page or you can help your Local Age UK, details can be found here.

Some volunteering roles come with greater risks than others. For example, volunteering in a hospital will be riskier than over-the-phone befriending. Sometimes it won’t be obvious how risky your role is. We've got some information that can help you weigh up the risks and decide how you'd like to return to your volunteering. 

Read more here

There are also precautions that all of us should be taking when we leave the house, that are important to remember if you return to volunteering: 

• Wash your hands frequently with warm water and soap for at least 20 seconds. You could carry hand sanitiser with you for times when washing facilities aren’t available.  
• Avoid touching your face, eyes, and mouth when you are outside of your house. 
• Try to socially distance from people that you don’t live with. If it isn’t possible to socially distance, then, if you are comfortable doing so, wear a face covering.  

You must not volunteer outside your home if you or anyone you live with have symptoms of coronavirus, are waiting for test results, or have been asked to self-isolate by the test and trace service. 

More people are having their food delivered at the moment which means it can be tricky to get a delivery slot. However, some supermarkets are providing priority delivery slots to those that are more vulnerable and you should contact your supermarket or visit their website for more information about this.

If you're still struggling to get what you need, you can contact the following:

• Speak to your Local Age UK
• Community mutual aid groups
• Trussel Trust (emergency food)
• Local authority
• Self-refer to the NHS Volunteer Responder scheme by calling 0808 196 3646.

More details can be found on our shopping page

As a general rule, workers such as cleaners, repair services, plumbers, home delivery operatives and others should not enter households where:

• the household is self-isolating as someone in their house or support bubble has symptoms of coronavirus or has tested positive for coronavirus

or 

• where someone in the household is clinically extremely vulnerable and has been advised to shield.

However, where the work is essential to the safety and wellbeing of the household it should go ahead if possible. This would include emergency repairs or essential help to maintain a hygienic and safe home. What constitutes ‘essential’ work may vary depending on each household’s circumstances, and it is important to consider the balance of risk before any tradespeople come into your house.

Cleaners and tradespeople must be made aware if someone in the household is self-isolating or shielding BEFORE entering the household, preferably at the time the visit is being arranged. This includes telling the tradesperson if someone has been advised to self-isolate by the test and trace service.

Workers have been advised by the Government to take extra precautions when working in a household where somebody is clinically vulnerable but has not been asked to shield. For example, the home of someone over 70. Where possible, prior arrangements should be made with vulnerable people to avoid any face-to-face contact, for example, when answering the door. Workers should also be particularly strict about handwashing, coughing and sneezing hygiene, such as covering your nose and mouth and disposing of single-use tissues.

You should have a conversation with any workers coming to your home to discuss what steps everyone should take to keep each other safe. Here are some things you need to think about:

• If you are shielding you should stay in a separate room while the work is taking place and should take precautions to avoid face to face contact.
• If, for example, your cleaner usually brings their own cleaning supplies including cloths or a vacuum cleaner then you may want to consider using supplies provided by you or disposable supplies (e.g. cloths and gloves) where appropriate as they may be cleaning other premises.
• Make arrangements ahead of time to avoid face to face contact as much as possible, especially if you are clinically vulnerable e.g. over 70 or with underlying health conditions.
• Following the work clean areas where work has taken place and frequently touched areas thoroughly.
• Keep all doors open to avoid people having to touch doors and door handles where possible.
• Workers have been advised to ensure they are frequently washing their hands. 
• Maintainsocially distance guidelines of 2 metres away where possible or 1 metre with other precautionary measures such as a face covering.
• Keep the activity time as short as possible.

If you employ a worker directly (e.g. a carer) then you should look at Government guidance or advice provided by any relevant supporting organisations and discuss what measures can be taken with your employee.

If you’re self-isolating  or you’ve been told to shield for as you’re considered clinically extremely vulnerable, you have other options to collect your pension.

• If your pension is paid into a Post Office Card Account (POCA), you can make a friend or relative your ‘Permanent Agent’ which means they can collect your pension for you. Your POCA card can also be used to withdraw your pension from ATMs outside post office branches.
• If your pension is paid into a bank account, your card can be withdraw money at a post office and at a post office ATM. Though you should never give out your PIN to anyone you don’t completely trust.
• The post office have a service available to customers from several banks allowing a nominated person to cash a cheque on behalf of someone else.

If none of these options are available to you, your local Age UK, Royal Voluntary Service or British Red Cross may be able to help.

Unless you're shielding or self-isolating, you can still collect your pension as usual – though you may still want to consider the above options to minimise any face-to-face contact.

You can spend as much time in outdoor spaces as you like, as long as you stay 2 metres from people outside of your own household or support bubble. You should also try and keep your dog on a lead, so it doesn't approach other people. 

If you or anyone in your household or support bubble has symptoms of coronavirus or has tested positive for coronavirus then you should not be leaving the house. You should also not leave the house if you have been advised by the test and trace service that you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus.

In these circumstances, you should see whether a family member, friend or trusted neighbour would mind walking your dog for you.  

Dog's Trust has lots of specific information for dog owners.

If you care for your parents or a loved one you may be particularly worried about what will happen if you become unwell.

If you're a carer, you should think about a plan B, just in case.

They may be entitled to support from the local council. You should start by contacting the person’s local council and asking for a needs assessment. This assessment can be requested even if the carer isn’t unwell.

This assessment will look at the person’s care needs and see if their needs meet the eligibility criteria. A financial assessment is used to work out if the person will have to contribute to the cost of any care.

If the person is entitled to care, a care and support plan will be drawn up detailing what services will be arranged.

The carer should also be offered an assessment of their own to see what support may help them in their role as a carer.

Due to the situation with Coronavirus, some local authorities may be acting under emergency powers, which mean they only have to meet urgent needs. However, they must still carry out a needs assessment on request and decide whether the person is entitled to help.

An alternative option is making arrangements with a private care provider. This may be particularly relevant to people who are not entitled to help from their local authority. As part of planning ahead, a care provider may be able to advise whether they can put services in place in the event a family carer became unwell at short notice.

If there is concern that a person is at risk, for example because they are not receiving the care they need, a safeguarding concern can be raised with the local council. They have a duty to investigate concerns.

There's more advice for caring for someone in a different household here

If you or your older relative lives alone, you can form a support bubble. This means that you will effectively become one household and can act as though you live together. You can meet inside or outside and stay over at each other’s houses without needing to socially distance. If you decide to form a support bubble with an older relative, then it will be fine for them to move in with you. You can only form a support bubble with one other household and once you have formed a support bubble you cannot change who is in it.

In addition, two households can now stay overnight in each other’s home or another home, such as a holiday home. This is not the same as a support bubble as you will need to socially distance from anyone who you do not live with.  You should also make sure that everyone takes care to practice good hand and respiratory hygiene such as regularly washing hands and catching any coughs and sneezes in tissues.  

We know that some people will want an older relative who isn’t in their support bubble to move in with them.  Ideally you should consider ways you can support an older relative in their own home. This may include arranging online deliveries and dropping off essential supplies such as food and medication or keeping in touch over the phone or via video call. 

If you look after an older relative in their home, you can continue to do so. We have more specific information about that here.

However, we do realise that you may be particularly worried about an older relative and how they might cope on their own, without their usual support networks. So, you may decide moving the person in with you for the time being is the best thing to do — however you should make this decision as a family and be sure to include the person who might be moving. If you make the decision, it's important to stick with it until restrictions are lifted.

If you live with an older person you are still able to go outside, as long as it is line with Government guidance.  

If you’re working, the Government has advised that if you can you should work from home. However, this isn’t possible, you can still travel to work. If possible, you should travel to work by foot, bike, or car. If you need to use public transport, try and travel at off-peak times when there will be fewer people. Your workplace should be encouraging members of staff to sit 2 metres apart where possible and to wash their hands regularly with soap and warm water for 20 seconds. 

There are also things you can do to keep the people you live with safe. Make sure that surfaces are regularly washed down and that everyone in your house washes their hands with soap and warm water regularly.

If someone in your household has been advised to shield, then you don’t also have to shield. However, you should follow the guidance very strictly – which can be found here. 

If you or someone in your household or support bubble develops symptoms of coronavirus or receives a positive test result, then you will need to self-isolate and not go into work. For more information on when you need to self-isolate and for how long see our test and trace page.

With the coronavirus pandemic causing many of us to worry, you may be thinking about updating your will.

Making a will

Writing a will requires preparation and potentially difficult decisions about who you want to benefit from your estate. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the normal rules and advice for writing and amending a will still apply. A will is the only way to make sure your money, property, possessions and investments (your estate) go to the people and causes you care about. If you die without making a will, you are said to have died ‘intestate’. In this situation, your estate is divided up according to the rules of intestacy. This takes away any personal decisions and means you have no control over how things are distributed.

Although it can be difficult to talk about wills, inheritance and what happens after someone dies, clear and frank conversations with loved ones now can make things a lot easier down the line. A will can help reassure loved ones that they are respecting your wishes after your die, which can make things easier for everyone involved. A properly written will also helps avoid disputes. Badly drafted or outdated wills can cause arguments among loved ones and these disputes may need to be resolved by a solicitor. Your will should remove any doubt about who you want to benefit from your estate, and help avoid further stress for family and friends at an already difficult time.

It’s usually best to get advice from a solicitor or chartered legal executive. You may wish to speak to a lawyer who specialises in wills and probate (applying for the legal right to deal with someone’s property, money and possessions). Check they are licensed with the relevant professional body, such as the Solicitors Regulation Authority or Law Society.

For a will to be valid:

• it must be in writing and signed by you and two witnesses who will not benefit from it
• you must have the mental capacity to make the will and understand the effect it will have
• you must have made the will voluntarily and without pressure from anyone else.

The beginning of the will should state that it revokes all others. If you have an earlier will, you should destroy it.

Signing and witnessing the will

You must sign your will in the presence of two independent witnesses, who must also sign it in your presence – so all three people should be together when each one signs. If the will is signed incorrectly, it is not valid. Beneficiaries of the will, their spouses or civil partners shouldn't act as witnesses, or they lose their right to the inheritance. Beneficiaries shouldn't even be present in the room when the will is signed. It’s also best not to ask an executor to act as a witness.

Current rules around social distancing may make witnessing particularly challenging. Consult a solicitor for their advice on what steps you can take. It may be possible for a will to be witnessed from the other side of a door, window or from at least 2m distance. It’s really important to consider how everyone can be kept at a safe distance from each other, including the handling of documentation.

Making a will if you have an illness or dementia

If you can’t sign the will, it can also be signed on your behalf, as long as you’re in the room and it is signed at your direction. However, you must have the mental capacity to make the will, otherwise the will is invalid. Any will signed on your behalf must contain a clause saying you understood the contents of the will before it was signed.

If you have a serious illness or a diagnosis of dementia, you can still make a will, but you need to have the mental capacity to make sure it is valid. A solicitor should make sure of this, and you may need a medical practitioner’s statement at the time the will is signed, certifying that you understand what you are signing.

Amending a will

You should review your will every five years and after any major change in your life such as a new grandchild or moving house. Never make alterations on the original document.

Any amendment to a will is subject to the same conditions as when writing the original. If you are making a minor amendment to your will, you can add a supplement, known as a codicil. This must be signed and witnessed in the same way as the will, although the witnesses don’t have to be the same as the original ones.

If anything substantial needs to be changed, you should make a new will and cancel your old one.

We have more information on making your will here 

Care home managers are now able to arrange whole care home testing, for both residents and staff, even if they do not have symptoms of coronavirus.

We would recommend speaking to the care staff in your loved one’s care home to find out what plans they have in place to test residents and staff.

This information has been updated due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Most renters are protected from eviction until at least 23 August 2020.

This is due to a ban on eviction cases being heard in court. The ban covers you if your landlord needs to get a court order to evict you – most renters are entitled to a court order and so are covered.

However, there are exceptions, including:

• if you share accommodation with your landlord (including a friend or family member),
• if you don’t pay any rent.

If you’re in this position and worried about your security you should seek advice.

Even if you are covered by the ban, you may still get a notice from your landlord saying they want you to leave as landlord notices aren’t covered by the ban. If you rent from a council, a housing association or a private landlord who you don’t live with, then you are probably entitled to a longer – three-month – notice period at the moment.

Getting a notice from your landlord is, usually, the first stage of the eviction process. Getting one doesn’t mean you have to leave your home.

In most cases, your landlord must refer this case to court after your notice period is up, which isn’t possible at the moment because of the ban. However, you should still seek advice immediately if you are asked to leave.

You’re still expected to pay rent during this time

Landlords have been encouraged by the government not to serve notices for rent arrears, but landlords are entitled to still collect rent.

If you’re struggling, the government advice is to speak to your landlord as soon as possible and ask them to agree to some form of temporary relief. This could be a rent reduction, a rent holiday, or an agreement to pay back the arrears at a later stage. Make sure you are claiming all the benefits you’re entitled to and speak to your local council about whether there is any emergency money available. You can check you're claiming everything you can, using our benefits calculator. 

Shelter have more information on this topic

Most people are now able to spend as much time outside as they would like.

You can exercise outside, go to parks and beaches to sunbathe, have a picnic, and go fishing. You can swim in lakes or the sea, so long as social distancing guidelines are followed. Outdoor sports courts, such as tennis, basketball and golf courses, have reopened. Pubs and restaurants are being allowed to open provided that they can take precautions to keep their customers and employees safe so they will be operating slightly differently. you should check with individual businesses as to the changes they will be making and follow any guidance they have in place.

You can spend time outside by yourself or with other members of your household or (if applicable) your support bubble. You can meet outdoors with up to 5 other people from outside your household including in private gardens. You can also spend time in indoor spaces with one other household, including pubs and restaurants and each other’s homes. It is important that you maintain social distancing measures whilst seeing friends and family and stay 2 metres away from anyone outside your household or support bubble, where this isn’t possible you should follow the 1 metre plus rule

When travelling somewhere, you should try to do so by car, bike, or foot. You should avoid using public transport and should not share a car with anyone who is outside of your household or support bubble as it is not possible to socially distance inside a car

Other businesses and community spaces are opening up too:

• Places of worship are open for individual prayer and also in some cases services where numbers are restricted and social distancing possible. Outdoor attractions e.g. zoos, safari parks, theme parks
• Accommodation e.g. hotels, B&Bs, campsites, holiday homes, caravan parks
• Libraries
• Cinemas and theatres, museums and galleries
• Bingo halls
• Social clubs

You should check with individual organisations as to how they are operating to keep you safe. In addition it is important that as you are able to do more things outside the home that you continue to stay safe and wash your hands regularly, you may want to carry hand sanitiser with you and a face covering for when it is more difficult to socially distance from people.

It is now mandatory to wear face coverings in some settings if you are able to, for more information see our guidance on face coverings.

How can people visit my home or how can I visit other homes safely?

As the Government guidance changes and we are able to do more things like visit people in their homes or have visitors to our home, you may be worried about how to keep yourself and others safe.

The government guidance currently is that 2 households can now meet up in any setting indoors or outdoors, but you should remain socially distanced from those not in your household or support bubble. This should be 2 metres apart but where not possible one metre plus other precautionary measures, such as wearing a face covering, are fine. If you are in a support bubble with another household then you do not need to socially distance from people in your support bubble.

Here are some things you may want to consider reducing the risk of transmission and keep you and your friends and family safe:

• Where possible spend time outside as the risk of catching or transmitting the virus outside is much lower. If this isn’t possible keep rooms well ventilated by opening windows.
• Rearrange furniture to allow social distancing.
• Where possible you may want to sit or stand side by side rather than face to face.
• Encourage people to wash hands regularly or use hand sanitiser, you may want to have cleaning products out for people to wipe down spaces like bathrooms and kitchens.
• Avoid touching surfaces and your face when together with others.
• Following someone coming to your home you may want to clean any areas that were used.
• If you are eating, serve food straight onto plates and avoid sharing bowls that need to be passed around.
• Thoroughly clean any crockery, cutlery or glassware used.
• Wear a face covering where it is difficult to socially distance.

The Government is closely monitoring the transmission of coronavirus across the country and if the rate of transmission starts to increase in certain areas, a local lockdown may be put in place to stop the spread.  

The area which a local lockdown covers will vary; a city may be put into a lockdown, but it could be on a much smaller scale, such as a couple of businesses or a particular building.  

If you live in an area where there is a local lockdown you will need to follow separate guidance and will be asked to take additional precautions. This will be a temporary measure and will be lifted once the spread of coronavirus has gone down in the area.   

If a local lockdown is put in place non-essential shops and businesses, such as restaurants and hairdressers, may need to close until the transmission rate lowers. You might be asked to limit your contact with people outside of your household and to stay inside as much as possible. Travel in and out of areas where a local lockdown is in place may be restricted.  

It’s a good idea to think about what you might need if a local lockdown comes into place where you live. You may want to make a list of useful contacts, such as your local Age UK, who could help you if a lockdown is enforced. NHS Volunteer Responders are able to help you to get food or medicine and you can refer yourself for support by calling 0808 196 3646.

Although there's no need to stockpile, make sure you keep on top of any medication you need and don’t leave it to the last minute to reorder prescriptions. Make sure you have enough food in your house in case it becomes harder to get to the shops.  

If you are affected by a local lockdown you may feel frustrated, disappointed, or concerned. If you're feeling worried about the changes to the guidelines take a look at some tips on looking after your mental wellbeing. 

For Government guidance on local lockdowns, take a look here.  

It can be more challenging to look after your physical and mental health when you're being asked to stay at home more. We have lots of advice on accessing healthcare, keeping busy, and ways to keep well on our coronavirus hub.