Information about COVID-19

I understand that many constituents are concerned about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and as I'm sure you can imagine, I'm receiving lots of emails every day about this. Please do look to see if the information you need is available on this page; which I will update regularly. If not, and you would still like my assistance, please do get in touch again. 

For the latest medical advice, visit NHS.uk/Coronavirus. 

For community support and help with shopping and other tasks visit my list of what help there is locally: kategriffiths.org.uk/coronavirus-help-support.

Other useful links:

• Latest news from Staffordshire County Council on managing the local coronavirus situation and getting a test
• Advice and support from East Staffordshire Borough Council
• Latest guidance form GOV.UK and what you can and can't do FAQs

Current Health Advice:

If you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus illness (COVID-19), however mild, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms started. The most common symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of:

• new continuous cough and/or
• high temperature
• Loss of taste/smell

If you live with others and you are the first in the household to have symptoms of coronavirus, then you must stay at home for 10 days, but all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house or allow anyone into your home for 14 days.

Furthermore, even if you are feeling well, you should avoid social interactions and mass gatherings, and work from home if you can. This is especially the case if you are over-70 or have a pre-existing medical condition that makes you more vulnerable to viruses. Read the full advice on protecting yourself if you're at high risk from coronavirus on GOV.UK.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

You do not need to contact 111 to tell them you're staying at home.

Testing for coronavirus is not needed if you're staying at home.

More information is available on the NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19

Guidance for Employers:

Guidance to assist employers and businesses providing advice to staff: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/guidance-for-employers-and-businesses-on-covid-19 

Support for Businesses:

The Government has announced an unprecedented package of measures to support business and jobs at this difficult time, including:

• a statutory sick pay relief package for SMEs
• a Business Rate Relief for small businesses and pubs
• small business grant funding of £3,000 for all business in receipt of Small Business Rates Relief (SBRR) and Rural Rates Relief
• the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme to support long-term viable businesses who may need to respond to cash-flow pressures by seeking additional finance
•  
• the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme
• Planning rules will be relaxed so pubs and restaurants can operate as hot food takeaways during the coronavirus outbreak.

More information available: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-support-for-businesses

Guidance for Employees:

Your rights when needing to take time of work to isolate, or working from  home: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19/covid-19-guidance-for-employees 

Travel Advice:

The government is now advising British people against all non-essential travel worldwide except to countries on the exemption list. These measures are subject to ongoing review and countries will be added/removed from the exemption list as the latest evidence becomes available.

For the latest information of traveling abroad: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus

To find advise for specific countries: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice 

The Government's roadmap for easing the lockdown restrictions