Coronavirus (COVID‑19)

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Coronavirus restrictions remain in place across the country. In England:

• Only socialise indoors with people you live with or who are in your support bubble
• Up to 6 people or 2 households can meet outside
• Work from home if you can and minimise travel
• If you have symptoms get a test and stay at home

Find out the rules on what you can and cannot do

If you have no symptoms:

Get regular rapid lateral flow tests.

If you have coronavirus symptoms:

• get a PCR test
• 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

Restrictions are easing across the UK.

From 17 May

The rules for entering England change depending on where you have travelled from outside the UK. There will be different rules to follow if you’re entering Scotland, entering Wales or entering Northern Ireland.

You are strongly discouraged from all unnecessary travel to red or amber list countries or territories, for example for leisure purposes.

People who live in England who have had a full vaccine course (2 doses), will be able to demonstrate their COVID-19 vaccination status for outbound international travel to countries where this is recognised.

In England

More businesses reopen, such as shops, outdoor areas at pubs and restaurants, hairdressers, and gyms. Read the guidance on what you can do.

In Scotland

There are 5 COVID-19 protection levels (0-4). From 26 April, all of Scotland is at Level 3. Read the timetable for easing restrictions in Scotland on GOV.SCOT.

In Wales

From 3 May, gyms, leisure centres and swimming pools can open. Children and adults can take part in indoor organised activities. Your household can choose one other household to meet indoors, becoming an extended household. Read the rules for Wales on GOV.WALES.

In Northern Ireland

From 30 April, non-essential shops, hairdressers and outdoor areas at pubs and restaurants can reopen. You can stay overnight in self-contained accommodation but only with your household or bubble. Read the guidance on current restrictions on nidirect.

Guidance and support

The rules and roadmap

• Find out what the rules are

  Coronavirus restrictions remain in place. Find out what you can and cannot do.

The roadmap out of lockdown in England

• Read the roadmap: what is changing and when

Support bubbles, childcare bubbles and shielding

• Support bubbles: close contact with another household
• Childcare bubbles: looking after children with another household
• How to protect yourself if you're clinically extremely vulnerable: for people who were shielding

Testing and self-isolating

• 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 test if you have symptoms
• Order rapid lateral flow tests if you do not have symptoms
• Surge testing for people without symptoms: how to get a test, and locations in England
• Find out about regular rapid lateral flow tests if you do not have symptoms on NHS.UK
• Report a test result from a lateral flow test kit
• Book a test if you have a verification code

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

Self-employment and businesses

• 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

• Check if you can claim a Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) grant
• Your business has had to close: check if you can get a grant
• Financial support for businesses and self-employed people
• Register to order rapid lateral flow tests for your employees
• How to make your workplace COVID-secure

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

• Claim tax relief for working from home
• Furlough: check if your employer can put you on temporary paid leave
• Apply for a Test and Trace Support Payment
• Citizens Advice: advice if you’re worried about working

Schools, universities, education and childcare

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

  Coronavirus (COVID-19) information about schools, nurseries, colleges and universities.

• Order rapid lateral flow tests if you’re a parent or carer
• Parents and carers: what you need to know

International travel

• Check if a country is on the red, amber or green list

  Find out the rules for international travel.

• Travel abroad: step by step
• Entering or returning to the UK
• How to quarantine when you arrive in England
• Booking a stay and tests in a quarantine hotel
• Testing for people travelling to England
• Reduce self-isolation time after travel by paying for a test

Vaccination

• 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

See all coronavirus guidance on GOV.UK

See specific guidance for Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland

Announcements

• Government confirms traffic light list ahead of cautious return to international travel

  Published 7 May 2021

• People under 40 to be offered alternative to AstraZenca COVID-19 vaccine

  Published 7 May 2021

• Ofqual publishes decisions on GCSE, AS and A level exams in the autumn

  Published 4 May 2021

See all announcements

UK statistics

Total vaccinations

35.4 million

people have received their first dose

Last updated 08 May 2021

Vaccination data from the coronavirus data dashboard

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Daily hospital admissions

101

new patients have been admitted to hospital

Last updated 04 May 2021

Healthcare data from the coronavirus data dashboard

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Daily new cases

1,770

people tested positive with COVID-19

Last updated 09 May 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
• Coronavirus cases by local authority

All coronavirus information on GOV.UK

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

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