Coronavirus Guidance

The government withdrew guidance specific to unpaid carers in April 2022, as part of its Living with COVID Plan. However, carers can follow the general advice about Living Safely with COVID-19 on the Government website.

Throughout the pandemic we have worked with Hertfordshire County Council (HCC) and NHS organisations to keep carers updated about advice and get answer to their questions. For more information about Council services and coronavirus guidance visit the HCC Coronavirus service updates page.

If you want to find out about the advice in place for people working in social care, such as care homes or providing home care, there is information on the government website – Infection prevention and control COVID-19 guidance.

Be prepared. Consider what might happen if you were unable to provide the care you normally provide. This may be in the situation of having to stay at home and avoid contact with others if you or the person you support has coronavirus or COVID-19 symptoms. It is helpful if you can put a contingency plan in place and seek cover from trusted neighbours, friends or family members. You could also think about options for having shopping delivered.
For more ideas on being prepared, visit our Planning for Emergencies and the Future page.

There are many symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) and some are similar to those for other illnesses such as colds or flu. The main symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) include:

• A high temperature (the chest or back is hot to the touch);
• A new, continuous cough (coughing for more than an hour or three or more continuous coughing episodes in 24 hours)
• Loss or change of taste or smell (known as anosmia)

For a full list of symptoms in adults, visit this NHS page.
For symptoms in children, visit this link.

Free testing for coronavirus has ended for most people in England. If you want to get tested and you are not eligible for a free NHS test, you must pay for a COVID-19 test yourself. You can buy lateral flow tests from some pharmacies and retailers in person or online, prices vary but are in the region of £2 for one test.

People eligible for free NHS tests include those:

• Going into hospital for surgery or a procedure – the hospital will give you guidance on this.
• With a health condition that means they are eligible for COVID-19 treatments. Conditions such as Down’s Syndrome, certain types of cancer and conditions affecting the brain e.g. multiple sclerosis or motor neurone disease – a list is available on this NHS page under ‘People at highest rise’.
• Who work in care homes, domiciliary care, supported living services, adult day care centres and certain NHS and social care roles (mainly those working directly with patients or vulnerable clients).

Visit the following link for NHS information on ordering tests.

Full government advice for people with symptoms of COVID-19 or who have tested positive is available at this link.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital if you have symptoms. If you are worried about symptoms or for non-urgent medical help please turn to NHS 111 online or call the NHS on 111. Carers in Hertfordshire cannot provide medical advice.

If you are concerned about your general health or have a symptom (not COVID-19 related) that needs checking out, please contact your GP practice or dentist. Many surgeries have made arrangements for telephone and video appointments and when it’s necessary face to face appointments can still be carried out in a way that is safe for everyone.

For up-to-date information on visiting people in hospitals run by the East and North Hertfordshire NHS Trust and West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust, please follow the links below to the appropriate pages. Both Trusts regularly review their visiting guidance in line with NHS England visitor guidance.

East & North Hertfordshire NHS Trust
West Hertfordshire Hospitals NHS Trust

We have published these risk assessments here so you can read about how we are working to keep you safe. We will update this page with additional risk assessments and if there are any changes to share.

Risk Assessment – Indoor Meetings (updated August 2022)
Hertford Office Risk Assessment (updated August 2022)
Borehamwood Office Risk Assessment (updated August 2022)

Everyone over the age of 5 in England is now eligible to get their first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Booster vaccines are also available for everyone over 16 and for those aged 12 and above in at-risk groups. You can read more about the vaccines on the NHS website.

The eligible groups for the 2022 Autumn Booster programme have been confirmed to include:

• those aged 16 to 49 years who are carers
• all adults aged 50 years and over
• those aged 5 to 49 years in a clinical risk group, including pregnant women
• those aged 5 to 49 years who are household contacts of people with immunosuppression
• residents in a care home for older adults and staff working in care homes for older adults
• frontline health and social care workers

Hertfordshire County Council also has information about the vaccine and vaccination programme in Hertfordshire on its website.

There is also information about the vaccination programme in Hertfordshire, including local vaccination centres, on the Hertfordshire and Wessex Integrated Care System website.