article thumb

Hampshire Update Logo

COVID-19 community update in Hampshire - 1 March 2021

National lockdown - stay at home:

  • The Government has announced its roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions over the next few months. The key guidance hasn’t changed – stay at home, stay local (essential journeys only), work from home if you can and keep following ‘hands, face, space’.
  • Primary and secondary schools across Hampshire are gearing up for a safe full return to face-to-face education from 8 March. Schools are communicating specific guidance to parents and carers around testing and wearing of face coverings.
  • Simple behaviours that can make a big difference – Keep following Hands, Face, Space. 
  • You will have heard about new variants of coronavirus. The way to control them is the same – keep following national restrictions and remember hands, face, space.
  • Translated and accessible information on Covid-19 can be found here.

 

COVID-19 Vaccination:

  • Her Majesty the Queen urges people to 'think about others' by having the COVID jab. She said, "It was very quick, and I've had lots of letters from people who've been very surprised by how easy it was to get the vaccine."
  • Some 20 million people in the UK have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine.
  • In England between 8 December and 21 February 260,297 people from Black or Black British backgrounds have had at least one dose of a COVID vaccine. In the same time period 740,324 from an Asian or Asian British background, 42,175 from Chinese backgrounds and 110,532 from mixed ethnic backgrounds have had at least one dose.
  • You can find out who is allowed to book a COVID vaccine on the NHS website. People aged 50-59 will be offered a COVID vaccine by mid-April. People in their 40s will be next to be eligible for vaccination after all the priority groups have been offered. Subject to availability and progress, it is expected to start for this age group in mid-April.
  • Generally, people will be contacted by their GP when they are due to be vaccinated – if you are not registered with a GP it is a good time to register. Due to COVID, you do not need to provide proof of identity or of immigration status in order to register with a GP surgery. This also applies if you are an asylum seeker, refugee, a homeless patient or an overseas visitor, whether lawfully in the UK or not. It’s really important to register with a GP for access to vaccines and regular health checks.
  • Local community transport and voluntary schemes are offering vaccination transport services. You can find out details here

Testing:

  • If you test positive for Coronavirus and have to self-isolate, you can find out if you qualify for financial support at nhs.uk, or contact your district or borough council to ask if you are eligible for a payment.
  • If you receive a text or phone call from 01962 826982, please be assured this is from the Hampshire Local Tracing Service. It is not a scam call.

Rapid community testing for eligible workers without symptoms

  • An appointment-only rapid community testing scheme was launched on Monday 22 February and is aimed at Hampshire residents who travel regularly outside their home for work, and who are not covered by an existing workplace scheme. Details at: www.hants.gov.uk/testing-no-symptoms

Thank you for your continuing support to #KeepHampshireSafe