Coronavirus (COVID‑19)

Coronavirus remains a serious health risk. You should stay cautious to help protect yourself and others.

• Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer
• Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where you come into contact with people you do not normally meet
• Get tested and self-isolate if required
• If you haven’t already, get vaccinated

Find out how to stay safe and help prevent the spread

Recent and upcoming changes

Changes to the recognised proof of vaccination and travel red list UK Wide

There are now over 100 countries and territories with recognised proof of full vaccination for travel to the UK. There is a single red list of countries for travel to England.

First dose vaccinations for young people UK Wide

All young people aged 12 to 15 will soon be offered a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Changes to the recognised proof of vaccination and travel red list UK Wide

There are now over 100 countries and territories with recognised proof of full vaccination for travel to the UK. There is a single red list of countries for travel to England.

First dose vaccinations for young people UK Wide

All young people aged 12 to 15 will soon be offered a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Changes to the recognised proof of vaccination and travel red list UK Wide

There are now over 100 countries and territories with recognised proof of full vaccination for travel to the UK. There is a single red list of countries for travel to England.

Vaccine certification required for late night venues and large events Scotland

From 1 October, you will need to show proof that you’re fully vaccinated using either the NHS Scotland COVID Status app, a paper copy of your vaccination record, or proof that you’re exempt, to enter late night venues and large events. Find out more on GOV.SCOT.

First dose vaccinations for young people UK Wide

All young people aged 12 to 15 will soon be offered a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Changes to the recognised proof of vaccination and travel red list UK Wide

There are now over 100 countries and territories with recognised proof of full vaccination for travel to the UK. There is a single red list of countries for travel to England.

NHS COVID Pass required for nightclubs and large events Wales

From 11 October, you’ll need to show proof that you are fully vaccinated or have a recent negative rapid lateral flow test using NHS COVID Pass to attend nightclubs and large events. Find out more on GOV.WALES.

First dose vaccinations for young people UK Wide

All young people aged 12 to 15 will soon be offered a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Testing for coronavirus (COVID-19)

If you have no symptoms:

• get regular rapid lateral flow tests
• report rapid lateral flow test results

If you have coronavirus symptoms:

• get a PCR test
• stay at home

Guidance and support

Staying safe

Includes advice on preventing the spread of coronavirus, mental health and domestic abuse

• How to stay safe and help prevent the spread

  Coronavirus remains a serious health risk. Find out how to manage the risks and protect yourself and others.

• Autumn and Winter Plan 2021: how the government will manage coronavirus in England
• Clinically extremely vulnerable: how to protect yourself

If you feel unsafe where you live

• Domestic abuse: how to get help
• Being evicted or made homeless: how to get help (Shelter)

If you need mental health support

• Coping with mental health problems during coronavirus (Mind)
• Getting urgent help for mental health (NHS)

Testing and self-isolating

Includes information on getting tested for coronavirus, reporting your results and how to self-isolate

• Find out which coronavirus test you should get on NHS.UK

  Find out about the different types of coronavirus (COVID-19) test and how to get tested.

Getting tested

• Get a COVID-19 PCR test if you have symptoms
• Order rapid lateral flow tests if you do not have symptoms
• Report a test result from a lateral flow test kit
• Book a test if you have a verification code
• Surge testing for people without symptoms: how to get a test, and locations in England

Self-isolation

• Self-isolating: check if you can get a £500 Test and Trace Support Payment
• Self-isolating: when someone in your household has COVID-19 symptoms or has had a positive test result
• NHS test and trace: what to do if you are contacted
• Get support if you cannot go out to get food or medicine, for example if you’re self isolating or vulnerable (NHS Volunteer Responders)
• Find out about getting statutory sick pay if you’re self-isolating

International travel

Includes filling in your passenger locator form, red list countries and using your NHS COVID Pass

• Travel abroad: what you need to do

  Find out the rules for travelling abroad and returning to England.

• Travel to England: what you need to do based on your vaccination status
• Check if a country is on the red list
• Fill in your passenger locator form
• Find out how to use the NHS COVID Pass to show your vaccination status

Vaccination

Includes information on booking vaccination and booster appointments, and vaccine safety

• COVID-19 vaccination information on NHS.UK

  Find out who can get the vaccine, how to book or manage your appointment, information on vaccine safety, and vaccines in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

• Vaccination information in other languages, including Punjabi, Arabic and Bengali on NHS England

COVID-19 booster vaccine information

• Find out who can get a booster dose and how on NHS.UK

Long COVID

Includes advice, support and treatment options

• Information and guidance about long COVID on NHS.UK

  Find out about the symptoms of long COVID and the treatment and support you can get.

• Get support on your COVID-19 recovery via NHS.UK

Self-employment and businesses

Includes keeping your business safe and getting financial support

• Working safely: guidance for workplaces

  Find out how to reduce the risk of COVID-19 spreading in your workplace.

• How to carry out a COVID-19 risk assessment (Health and Safety Executive)
• Keeping records of staff, customers and visitors
• What to do if an employee is contacted by NHS Test and Trace

Get financial support

• Access the Recovery Loan Scheme
• Claim back Statutory Sick Pay (SSP)

Work and support

Includes guidance on finding work, self-employment and benefits

• Being made redundant

  Guidance on finding work, claiming benefits, and managing debts and pensions if you’re being made redundant.

• If you're employed and cannot work
• If you’re self-employed but getting less or no work
• Apply for a Test and Trace support payment

Schools, universities, education and childcare

Includes guidance for parents, carers, students and education settings

Advice for parents and carers during coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Information for parents and carers about attending schools, nurseries and colleges during coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Guidance for parents and carers of children attending out-of-school settings during coronavirus (COVID-19)

Guidance on managing coronavirus (COVID-19) in different settings

• Contingency framework for managing local outbreaks of coronavirus (COVID-19) in education and childcare settings
• Guidance on running and managing early years, schools, colleges and other education providers during coronavirus (COVID-19)

See all coronavirus guidance on GOV.UK

See specific guidance for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

UK statistics

Total vaccinations

49.4 million

people have received their first dose

Last updated 17 October 2021

Vaccination data from the coronavirus data dashboard

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Daily hospital admissions

915

new patients have been admitted to hospital

Last updated 12 October 2021

Healthcare data from the coronavirus data dashboard

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Daily new cases

49,156

people tested positive with COVID-19

Last updated 18 October 2021

Cases data from the coronavirus data dashboard

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• Daily summary of coronavirus testing, cases and vaccinations
• Data and trends from the Office for National Statistics (ONS)
• All data and analysis on coronavirus

Announcements

• Lateral flow tests to be introduced for vaccinated international arrivals to England

  Published 14 October 2021

• NHS encourages pregnant women to get COVID-19 vaccine (on NHS.UK)

  Published 11 October 2021

• Travel advice changes: 51 countries and territories have 'all but essential travel' advice lifted

  Published 8 October 2021

• New campaign urges those eligible to get free COVID-19 and flu vaccines

  Published 8 October 2021

See all announcements

All coronavirus information on GOV.UK

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

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