COVID-19 updates

Last updated: Wednesday 13 July 2022

On Thursday 24 February 2022, all remaining domestic COVID-19 regulations in England were lifted. This means:

You are no longer legally required to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19, however it is still advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for at least five full days.
Fully vaccinated adults and those aged under 18 who are identified as close contacts are no longer advised to test daily for seven days and the legal requirement for close contacts who are not fully vaccinated to self-isolate has been removed.
Staff and students in most education and childcare settings are no longer required to undertake twice weekly asymptomatic testing.
Self-isolation support payments, national funding for practical support and the medicine delivery service will no longer be available.
Routine contact tracing has ended, including venue check-ins on the NHS COVID-19 app.

From Friday 1 April, the Government:

Removed the current guidance on voluntary COVID-status certification in domestic settings and no longer recommended that certain venues use the NHS COVID Pass.
Ended free universal symptomatic and asymptomatic testing for the general public in England.

The government has published its plan for living with COVID-19. This includes:

Getting vaccinated
Letting in fresh air if you meet indoors
Considering wearing a face covering in crowded or enclosed spaces
Washing hands and following advice to ‘Catch it, Bin it, Kill it’

Face coverings and face masks can help reduce the chance of you spreading infection to others, especially in crowded and enclosed spaces, and may protect you from becoming infected by some respiratory viruses.

If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.

There is guidance on steps you can take to protect other people if you are unwell with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19.

Symptoms of COVID-19

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.

People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19

Guidance for people with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19, or a positive test for COVID-19 is available on the government’s website.

Testing for COVID-19

Lateral Flow Device (LFD) tests are available to purchase from participating pharmacies and other retail outlets. If you test result is positive, it is recommended that you stay at home, avoid contact with others and follow guidance on how to reduce the spread of infection for five full days, while you are most infectious.

Some people can still get free COVID-19 Rapid Lateral Flow tests from the NHS. Check if you are eligible on the NHS website.

COVID-19 Community Hub

The Hampshire Coronavirus Support and Helpline provides advice and help from 9am to 5pm, Monday to Thursday and Friday 9am to 4.30pm. You can contact the helpline on 0333 370 4000 and someone will be able to signpost you to information, advice and relevant services to support you with a range of issues.

Other support services

The Connect to Support Hampshire website features a directory of helpful guidance ranging from helplines to advice on keeping your home warm.

Finding it hard to be at home? Visit our support services webpage to find information on a number of local and national charities continuing to provide support on issues such as mental health, loneliness and domestic abuse.

Hampshire COVID-19 data

Keep up to date on how coronavirus is affecting Hampshire on Hampshire County Council’s website.

Hampshire County Council is no longer producing COVID-19 data packs. Please visit their COVID-19 data and intelligence page for our data archive and links to ONS survey results

Visit GOV.UK national data and insights on coronavirus – which includes a function to search for data by postcode.

Translated and accessible COVID-19 information

Information in British Sign language and other languages can be found on Hampshire County Council’s website