COVID-19 updates

Last updated: 29 November 2021 at 5pm

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The Prime Minister confirmed new temporary and precautionary measures, on Saturday 27 November, following the emergence of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 in the UK.

Targeted measures will be introduced from Tuesday 30 November as a precaution to slow down the spread of the variant. These are:

Face coverings will be made compulsory in shops and on public transport. All hospitality settings will be exempt.
All international arrivals must take a day two PCR test and self-isolate until they receive a negative result.
All contacts of suspected Omicron cases must self-isolate, regardless of their vaccination status. They will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace.

Find out more about the new measures on the government’s website.

COVID-19 remains a serious health risk. You should stay cautious to help protect yourself and others.

The government has published guidance on staying safe and helping to prevent the spread of the virus. This includes:

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.

Our message to residents is to protect themselves and think of others by following the guidance.

Our borough has many communities, and residents will have different views, anxieties and personal circumstances. In the winter months with fewer opportunities to socialise outdoors, some may be anxious about becoming infected with the virus, while others feel more comfortable. Please respect each other’s views.

Symptoms of COVID

The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are:

a high temperature
a new, continuous cough
a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste Most people with symptoms have at least one of these.

There is more information and advice on the NHS website about COVID-19, including symptoms, testing, vaccination and self-isolation.

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms or a positive test result should stay at home and self-isolate immediately. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, you should arrange to take a PCR test as soon as possible, even if you’ve had one or more doses of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Regular testing

Regular twice weekly testing is being encouraged for everyone without symptoms, to help identify more positive cases and break chains of transmission.

Information is available on the NHS website on testing to check if you have COVID-19, what testing involves, how to understand test results and how to report results.

Supervised lateral flow tests and test kits for use at home are also available from participating pharmacies across the county. Find details about getting a supervised test at a pharmacy.

Find out more about testing on Hampshire County Council’s website.