For up to date information on Coronavirus from the government, NHS and other organisations, please see the links below:
INFORMATION FROM THE GOVERNMENT
LATEST ANNOUNCEMENTS & RESTRICTIONS
We have now moved into a National Lockdown following the Prime Minister's address on 4th January 2021. For details of the National Lockdown: Stay At Home, please click here.
To see a copy of the Prime Minister's Statement on Coronavirus on 26th January 2021 please click here.
To see a copy of the Prime Minister's Statement on Coronavirus on 22nd January 2021 please click here.
To see a copy of the Prime Minister's Statement on Coronavirus on 15th January 2021 please click here.
To see a copy of the Prime Minister's Statement on Coronavirus on 7th January 2021 please click here.
To see a copy of the Prime Minister's Statement on Coronavirus on 5th January 2021 please click here. This statement includes an update on the latest information with regards to getting people vaccinated.
To see a copy of the Prime Minister's Address to the Nation on 4th January 2021 please click here.
Prime Minister announces National Lockdown - for details please click here.
PREVIOUS ANNOUNCEMENTS & INFORMATION
To see a copy of the Prime Minister's latest statement on Coronavirus on 30th December 2020 please click here.
For details of Local Restriction Tiers and what you need to know please click here.
To see a full list of restriction tiers by area please click here.
Prime Minister announces Tier 4: 'Stay at Home' Alert Level - for details click here.
To see the Prime Minister's latest statement on Coronavirus on 19th December 2020 please click here.
Across the UK people are playing their part and providing essential support to their friends and family who are in isolation. To find out how to help safely please click here.
New legal duty to self-isolate comes into force on 28th September - for more details click here.
Face coverings are now mandatory in shops, supermarkets, shopping centres and enclosed transport hubs - please click here for details.
This page sets out key FAQs to inform the public and let you know what you can and can't do: .https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-outbreak-faqs-what-you-can-and-cant-do
SOCIAL DISTANCING
To see the latest information on meeting others safely (social distancing) please click here.
VULNERABLE PEOPLE
For updated information for shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 please click here.
Central government support for those who are high risk: Central government are offering support for people who are high risk and considered to be extremely vulnerable. They can register for support from the government here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus-extremely-vulnerable. The central government contact number for those who are high risk is 0800 0288327.
Someone is extremely vulnerable if they:
• have had a solid organ transplant
• have lung cancer, and you’re getting active chemotherapy or radical radiotherapy
• have cancer of the blood or bone marrow, at any stage of treatment - for example, leukaemia, lymphoma or myeloma
• have any cancer for which you’re getting immunotherapy or other continuing antibody treatments
• have any cancer for which you’re getting a targeted treatment which can affect the immune system - for example, protein kinase inhibitors or PARP inhibitors
• have had bone marrow or stem cell transplants in the last 6 months, or are still taking immunosuppression drugs
• have a severe respiratory condition - including cystic fibrosis, severe asthma or severe COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)
• have a rare disease or inborn error of metabolism that significantly increases your risk of infection - for example SCID or homozygous sickle cell
• are getting an immunosuppression therapy that’s sufficient to significantly increase your risk of infection
• are pregnant, and have a significant congenital or acquired heart disease
SIGN UP TO GOVERNMENT INFORMATION
Government Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp: The UK Government has launched a GOV.UK Coronavirus Information service on WhatsApp. This free to use service aims to provide official, trustworthy and timely information and advice about coronavirus (COVID-19). For further details please click here.
For all Government information: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-information-for-the-public
TRAVEL & TRANSPORT
For the latest information on safer travel guidance please click here.
New rules on face coverings from Monday, 15th June 2020 will help keep passengers safe - please see here for details.
WORKING
For guidance on working safely during Coronavirus please click here.
POSSIBLE INFECTION
For guidance for households with possible Coronavirus infection please click here.
For guidance to parents and guardians on when you should book a coronavirus test for your child please click here.
FUNERALS
For the latest guidelines on the safe conduct on funerals please click here.
NHS
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
IMPORTANT NOTICE RE: SECOND DOSE OF COVID VACCINATION AT MILTON KEYNES HOSPITAL: 31ST DECEMBER 2020
Following a national change in guidance to the COVID vaccination on 31st December, MKUH is postponing all bookings for 2nd doses. We will contact all those with a booking to advise when they can expect another appointment. For more information, please see here.
Think you have symptoms?
Do not go to a GP, pharmacy or hospital. Find out what to do if you think you have symptoms here.
NHS Test and Trace
To find out how the NHS Test and Trace works please click here.
Download the new NHS COVID-19 app from www.covid19.nhs.uk. The new app is part of the NHS Test and Trace service and will be used, alongside traditional contact tracing, to notify users if they come into contact with someone who later tests positive for coronavirus. The app allows people to report symptoms, order a coronavirus test, and check in to venues by scanning a QR code.
It also helps the NHS trace app users who have spent time near other app users, who they may not personally know, and who later test positive for coronavirus. It does this by tracking the virus, not individuals. When you first download the app, it asks for your postcode district (in common to thousands of people) which helps the app work out where the virus is spreading. It cannot be used to identify you, track you or to check if you are self-isolating. If you have been advised by the app to self-isolate, the app provides a countdown timer so that you can keep track of how long you need to self-isolate. Please see further details here: https://www.covid19.nhs.uk./
Information for children to help them understand what Coronavirus is, the importance of hand washing and how to help stop the virus spreading is available on the Public Health England website. Find out more here.
Central & North West London, the NHS Trust who supply district nursing, mental health, occupational therapy, addiction and many other community services in Milton Keynes have updated their current guidance on service availability here: https://www.cnwl.nhs.uk/news/coronavirus-service-updates
You can contact the NHS for help online here.
Help from NHS Volunteer Responders
If you’re shielding and need help with essential food or medication, call the NHS Volunteer Responders on 0808 196 3646. Please get in touch now.
LOCAL INFORMATION
Community Action MK
Community Action:MK have published a list of groups helping out in local areas - please see here.
Community Action:MK are offering online support to community groups during the present crisis -. please see here.
THE PARKS TRUST
Use of the parks
We are pleased that parks and green spaces can continue to be enjoyed safely with some restrictions in place. Head to our website for the full guidance: https://www.theparkstrust.com/our-work/our-policies/statement-on-coronavirus/
The Parks Trust would like to remind everyone to please stay safe in the parks and follow the latest Government guidelines.
The Parks Trust play areas are open with restrictions in place, but the outdoor gym equipment is closed in accordance with Government guidelines. If you decide to use the play equipment, please ensure you are following the guidance and restrictions in place.
OTHER LOCAL ORGANISATIONS
Healthwatch Milton Keynes: https://www.healthwatchmiltonkeynes.co.uk/news/2020-03-18/milton-keynes-and-covid-19
The Mayor of Milton Keynes has been posting updates about the impact of coronavirus on Milton Keynes on his Facebook page. You can find the updates at: https://www.facebook.com/MayorMK/
Milton Keynes Community Foundation: https://www.mkcommunityfoundation.co.uk/news-events/milton-keynes-community-foundation-news/2020/covid-19-update. For further details about MK Community Foundation's Covid-19 MK Emergency Respense Appeal click here.
ALLOTMENT PLOT HOLDERS
Please see The National Allotment Society's Covid 19 Emergency Measures here. Please note that when using the allotments the lock should be cleaned before and after each use. We kindly ask that allotment holders adhere to social distancing rules.