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Coronavirus (COVID‑19)

There are three simple actions we must all do to keep on protecting each other

  • Wash hands keep washing your hands regularly
  • Cover face wear a face covering in enclosed spaces
  • Make space stay at least 2 metres apart - or 1 metre with a face covering or other precautions
National restrictions in England until 2 December: find out more

If you have any coronavirus symptoms:

  • a high temperature
  • a new, continuous cough
  • a loss of, or change to, your sense of smell or taste

Get a test and stay at home

Find out what support you can get

For example, if you’re out of work, need to get food, or want to take care of your mental health.

Find support

Recent and upcoming changes

23 to 27 December

You can make a Christmas bubble with friends and family

2 December

Follow the rules for your tier in England

23 November

Government releases Winter Plan for managing coronavirus

5 November

National restrictions apply to England:

  • you cannot meet socially with anyone indoors unless they’re in your support bubble
  • there are changes to how many people you can meet outside
  • you must not travel in the UK or overseas, unless for a specific reason, like education, work or a caring responsibility

Guidance and support

What you can and cannot do

Rules and restrictions now

Rules and restrictions from 2 December

Rules and restrictions at Christmas

Self-isolating and testing for coronavirus

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Work and financial support

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Businesses and self-employed people

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Schools, education and childcare

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Travel and transport

See all coronavirus guidance on GOV.UK

See specific guidance for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Wash your hands, cover your face, make space

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View the video transcript

As winter approaches, we’ll be spending more time indoors. This will increase the risk of coronavirus spreading.

The following reconstructions of everyday environments show why washing hands regularly, wearing a face covering and keeping at least 2m apart is vital in controlling the spread.

Coronavirus can live for more than 24 hours indoors.

You could pick up or pass on the virus by touching a contaminated surface.

Washing your hands with soap and water, or using hand sanitiser, regularly throughout the day will reduce the risk of catching or passing it on.

Coronavirus can be found in tiny droplets coming out of your nose and mouth.

Wearing a face covering over your nose and mouth reduces the spread of droplets carrying the virus. This means if you have it, you’re less likely to pass it on to others.

Larger droplets can land on other people or on surfaces they touch. Spreading the virus through droplets is most likely to happen when you are less than 2m apart.

Smaller droplets called aerosols can stay in the air for some time, especially if there is no ventilation.

So when you are with people not from your household, you must keep at least 2m apart.

The risk of spreading the virus through smaller droplets is much less outdoors, where there is more ventilation.

Wash your hands, cover your face, make space. These are the three most effective ways we can all control the spread of the virus.

Remember if you have any coronavirus symptoms; high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell, get a free test by calling 119 or visiting NHS.uk.

Together, we will control the virus and stop the spread.

Don’t forget, Hands, Face, Space.

Announcements

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Statistics

All coronavirus information on GOV.UK