Coronavirus (COVID‑19)

National lockdown: stay at home

Coronavirus (COVID‑19) is spreading fast.

Do not leave your home unless necessary.

1 in 3 people who have the virus have no symptoms, so you could be spreading it without knowing it.

Find out what the rules are

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

27 January

The Prime Minister has announced that it’ll not be possible to resume face-to-face learning for the majority of pupils and students until 8 March at the earliest.

The Prime Minister has also announced further measures at the border, including the strengthening of requirements for some arrivals through hotel isolation. We’ll set out more details in due course.

5 January

National lockdown rules apply in England. Stay at home. Find out what the rules are in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Shielding has resumed in England. If you’re shielding, do not attend work, school, college or university. You can get support if you’re clinically extremely vulnerable, for example priority access to supermarket deliveries.

Guidance and support

What you can and cannot do

National restrictions

• National lockdown in England
• Restrictions in Scotland
• Restrictions in Wales
• Restrictions in Northern Ireland

Social distancing and shielding

• Social distancing rules
• Support bubbles: close contact with another household
• Childcare bubbles: looking after children with another household
• Shielding: get support if you're clinically extremely vulnerable
• Shielding: protecting yourself if you're clinically extremely vulnerable

Self-isolating and testing for coronavirus

• Find out about coronavirus testing

  How to get tested for coronavirus (COVID-19).

Popular content

• Get a test to check if you have coronavirus
• Book a test if you have a verification code
• Schools and further education providers: ordering test kits
• Self-isolating: Apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment
• Self-isolating: stay at home if you think you have coronavirus
• NHS test and trace: how it works

Travel within the UK and abroad

Travel within the UK

• Follow the national lockdown travel rules
• Safer travel guidance if you are walking, cycling or a passenger

International travel

• International travel is restricted: check coronavirus travel advice
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing for people travelling to England
• Entering or returning to the UK
• Reduce self-isolation time after travel by paying for a COVID-19 test

Schools, universities, education and childcare

• Guidance for teachers, school leaders, carers, parents and students

  Coronavirus (COVID-19) information for parents, schools, colleges and universities: closures, exams, learning, health and wellbeing.

Popular content

• Check if your higher education course will be face to face learning
• Making a childcare bubble

Vaccination

• England: coronavirus vaccination information
• Scotland: coronavirus vaccination information
• Wales: coronavirus vaccination information
• Northern Ireland: coronavirus vaccination information

Work and financial support

• Getting financial help and staying safe at work

  Get coronavirus (COVID-19) support if you’re working less or not working - and find out how to stay safe at work.

Popular content

• Furlough: Check if your employer can put you on temporary leave
• Redundancy: your rights
• Apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment
• Citizens Advice: advice if you’re worried about working

Businesses and self-employed people

• Getting financial help and keeping your business safe

  Get coronavirus (COVID-19) support for your business or if you’re self-employed, and find out how to keep your business and your employees safe

Popular content

• Your business has had to close: check if you can get a grant
• How to make your workplace COVID-secure
• Financial support for businesses and self-employed people

See all coronavirus guidance on GOV.UK

See specific guidance for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Announcements

• Schools and colleges will not return to full face-to-face education after February half-term

  Published 27 January 2021

• New rules for people travelling in to and out of the UK

  Published 27 January 2020

• New hard-hitting national TV ad urges the nation to stay at home

  Published 22 January 2021

See all announcements

Statistics

• Daily UK statistics
• UK data and analysis on coronavirus
• Coronavirus cases by local authority
• Weekly data on testing in the UK

All coronavirus information on GOV.UK

• Guidance
• News
• Legislation (legislation.gov.uk)
• Press conferences (YouTube)
• Press conference statements

Stay up to date with GOV.UK

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