Coronavirus Advice Vaccination Most carers are prioritised for COVID Autumn 2022 vaccinations boosters alongside other at risk groups. Your GP may contact you to book otherwise you can book online. Testing Free testing is ending for the general public from 1 April 2022 - this includes most carers unless within the specific groups where free symptomatic testing is being retained. These groups include those at very high risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID or working for NHS or social care organisations. Further Information What do COVID regulations mean to me & my family? All legal restrictions have now been removed alongside testing for the general public. The Government have announced taht they want to "begin to manage the virus like other respiratory infections". Can I continue to provide care? Yes, throughout this pandemic one exception to restrictions has been to provide care or assistance to someone vulnerable. You can also provide respite for another carer. Can I visit loved-ones in hospital or care homes? This has now been relaxed but if you are planning to visit, or accompany someone to, a care home, hospice, hospital or other healthcare setting, you should check if they have any specific requirements. Can I attend a funeral Yes - there is no longer a maximum number of guests Can I socialise Yes both inside & outside - all venues can open Is there any advice on how to meet safely indoors? Make sure the space is well ventilated. Open windows and doors or take other action to let in plenty of fresh air. Bringing fresh air into a room and removing older stale air that may contain virus particles reduces the chance of spreading COVID-19. The more fresh air that is brought inside, the quicker any airborne virus will be removed from the room. Wash hands and clean surfaces regularly to remove virus particles. Can carers still test for Covid? Free testing is ending for the general public from 1 April 2022 - this includes most carers unless within the specific groups where free testing is being retained. These groups include those at very high risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID or working for NHS or social care organisations. Further information When will I need to self-isolate? From 1 April 2022, updated guidance will advise people with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19, and a high temperature or who feel unwell, to try stay at home and avoid contact with other people, until they feel well enough to resume normal activities and they no longer have a high temperature. From 1 April 2022, anyone with a positive COVID-19 test result will be advised to try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for five days, which is when they are most infectious. Children and young people who are unwell and have a high temperature should stay at home and avoid contact with other people, where they can. They can go back to school, college or childcare when they no longer have a high temperature, and they are well enough to attend Although the legal need to self-isolated has ended in England, the Government advise that you should avoid meeting people at higher risk from COVID-19 for 10 full days. This starts from the day your symptoms started or, if you do not have symptoms, from the day you got a positive test result. Guidance What about Northamptonshire Carers services? Services, such as ours are following guidance which is largely based on delivering services normally whilst providing reassurance by being mindful over social distancing and you are free to wear a mask even if not legally mandated. We do ask that people do not attend event in-person if advised to isolate and or showing COVID-symptoms. We are aware that these are especially difficult for Carers. The Government have produced the following official guides: Carers Guidance Young Carers (under 25) Guidance A guide to being active at home British Sign Language Further advice is available from Carers Trust & Carers UK Multilingual information on coronavirus is available via Doctors of the World Manage Cookie Preferences