Government announces Covid-19 Autumn and Winter plan
"The best way to protect yourself and others from COVID-19 is to get fully vaccinated," said Prime Minister Boris Johnson. "People that are fully vaccinated should continue to follow behaviours and actions set out in the guidance on how to help limit the spread of COVID-19"
Currently, one dose of the Pfizer vaccine is being given to children aged 12 to 15, via the existing school immunisation programme: "The aim is to complete the bulk of these by half term. Most children won't suffer from bad Covid symptoms but they can still infect their families. Isolating at home will also impact their learning as well as parents' working patterns. The Covid jab is no different to any other immunisation in educational settings - the aim is to minimise spread."
Pfizer boosters are being offered to everyone aged over 50, anyone aged 16+ with underlying health conditions, and to all frontline health workers and social care staff
Behaviours encouraged to prevent the spread include:
- Let fresh air in if you meet indoors. Meeting outdoors is safer. Meeting outdoors vastly reduces the risk of airborne transmission. However, it is not always possible, particularly through the winter. If you are indoors, being in a room with fresh air (and, for example, opening your windows regularly for 10 minutes or a small amount continuously) can still reduce the airborne risk from COVID-19 substantially compared to spaces with no fresh air.30 Some evidence suggests that under specific conditions high levels of ventilation could reduce airborne transmission risk by up to 70%.
- Wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed settings where you come into contact with people you do not normally meet.
- Get tested, and self-isolate if required. Anyone with symptoms of COVID-19 should self-isolate and take a free PCR test as soon as possible. Anyone who tests positive must self-isolate. Anyone who is notified they are a close contact of someone who has tested positive should also take a free PCR test as soon as possible and self-isolate if required. The data on symptoms associated with COVID-19 is continuously being gathered and kept under review.
- Try to stay at home if you are feeling unwell.
- Wash your hands with soap and water or use hand sanitiser regularly throughout the day.
- Download and use the NHS COVID-19 app to know if you’ve been exposed to the virus.
