COVID-19

Useful information for you and your household

The government has announced that England will move to Plan B in response to the risks of the Omicron variant.

This means:

• From 10 December, face coverings will be required by law in most indoor settings.
• From 13 December office workers who can work from home should do so.
• From 15 December, certain venues and events will be required by law to check that all visitors aged 18 years or over are fully vaccinated, have proof of a negative test in the last 48 hours, or have an exemption.

Guidance on how to stay safe and help prevent the spread

Covid-19 Vaccination program expanded

The Covid-19 vaccination programme is expanding and accelerating following new advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI).

This will strengthen our defences against the Omicron Variant.

The NHS are working on plans to offer:

• a booster dose to everyone aged 18 years old and over
• a booster dose to people aged 16 years old and over with a severely weakened immune system
• a 2nd dose to all children aged 12 to 15 years old who are not already eligible.

Boosters will continue to be offered in priority order to protect those most at risk from the virus and the NHS will contact you when you’re eligible to receive yours.

Manage your vaccination appointments here

Download the NHS app

Download the NHS App for free to get your NHS COVID Pass to demonstrate your COVID-19 vaccination status. You can also safely access a range of other NHS services on the app.

Download NHS app

Self-help and mental wellbeing support through COVID-19

It has been a very strange time for all of us, and the pandemic has affected people in a range of ways and severities.

Whether you have been personally affected by the virus, or are struggling to cope with the uncertainty of the situation generally, the way you’re feeling is entirely valid and help is available.

Access Support here

Let’s keep Covid in check

Regular self-testing (twice a week), with lateral flow tests can reduce the spread of infection and stop people unknowingly passing on the virus to others.

These tests are fast and free, and everyone in Essex without symptoms can now order packs of lateral flow tests to do at home. We recommend self-testing twice a week.