Government Guidance
Following the Government’s ‘Living with Covid’ plan, the UK has transitioned from Government restrictions to personal responsibility with regard to the management of Covid-19.
Testing:
Free testing for Covid-19 has ended for most people in England.
If you want to get tested and are not eligible for a free NHS test, you must pay for a Covid-19 test yourself. These can be bought from some pharmacies and retailers, in-person or online.
There are a small number of people who will still be able to get free Covid-19 tests from the NHS, including:
- If you have a health condition which means you are eligible for new Covid-19 treatments
- If you are going into hospital for a surgery or a procedure
- If you work in the NHS or in social care
Use the Government’s website to check if you are eligible to order a free pack of rapid lateral flow tests to be sent to your home.
Isolating:
There is no legal requirement to self-isolate following a positive Covid-19 test, regardless of vaccination status. Those who test positive are still advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.
NHS COVID Pass:
The NHS COVID Pass app can still be used to allow individuals to access their vaccination status for international travel, as well as their recovery status for travel to certain overseas destinations.
There is no legal requirement for individuals to show their NHS COVID Pass to access a venue or event.
Contact tracing
Routine contact tracing has ended. The Government will publish guidance which will set out precautions that contacts can take to reduce risk to themselves and other people.
Vaccinations:
The Covid-19 vaccine is an effective way to protect yourself and those around you against coronavirus. Book or manage your Covid-19 vaccination appointments via the NHS website.
International travel:
Prior to travelling internationally for work or leisure, check the foreign travel advice for all countries you will visit or travel through. You will also need to find a travel test provider before departing. Some countries will require proof of vaccination status either alongside or instead of a negative test result.
Every person arriving in the UK will need to complete a passenger locator form in the 48 hours prior to arrival, regardless of vaccination status. The Government has waived the need for
Fully vaccinated individuals do not need to take any tests before or after arrival, or self-isolate upon arrival.
Those who are not fully vaccinated must take a PCR or lateral flow test in the two days before travel to the UK. They must also pre-order a PCR test to be taken on Day 2 after arrival, ensuring to stay home and avoid contact with other people if it returns a positive result.
If you began your journey in Ukraine, you do not need to complete a passenger locator form or take a Covid-19 test before travel to the UK or book a PCR test to take on arrival.
Workplace safety:
The Government has published guidance to help reduce the spread of respiratory infections, including Covid-19, in the workplace.
Actions businesses can take include encouraging and enabling vaccination, letting fresh air into the work space, and maintaining a clean workplace.
There is specific guidance for people whose immune system means that they are at higher risk of infection.
Download the Chamber’s COVID-19 Workplace Safety Toolkit, produced in partnership with Birmingham City Council. DOWNLOAD THE TOOLKIT