Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support

COVID-19 is a new illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It's caused by a virus called Coronavirus.

Stay alert

We can all help control the virus if we all stay alert. This means you must:

• stay at home as much as possible
• work from home if you can
• limit contact with other people
• keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible)
• wash your hands regularly

Self-isolate if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.

If you have symptoms, do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do.

Anyone with COVID-19 symptoms, regardless of age, is now eligible for testing.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Coronavirus Testing Call Centre on 0300 303 2713 for assistance (open 8am to 8pm).

Follow the link below to apply for a test:

If you are an essential worker, or live with an essential worker, and have coronavirus symptoms, you should apply for a test via the GOV.UK portal.

If you have any questions, you can contact the Coronavirus Testing Call Centre on 0300 303 2713 for assistance (open 8am to 8pm).

Follow the link below to apply for a test:

If you are pregnant you are more vulnerable to getting infections than a woman who is not pregnant. If you have an underlying condition, such as asthma or diabetes, you may be more unwell if you have coronavirus.

If you develop more severe symptoms or your recovery is delayed this may be a sign that you are developing a more significant chest infection that requires enhanced care.

If you feel your symptoms are worsening or if you are not getting better you should contact your maternity care team or use the NHS 111 online service for further information and advice.

The Government, in consultation with industry, has produced guidance to help ensure workplaces are as safe as possible.

These 8 guides cover a range of different types of work. Many businesses operate more than one type of workplace, such as an office, factory and fleet of vehicles. You may need to use more than one of these guides as you think through what you need to do to keep people safe.

All businesses and venues outlined in the document below must not open to the public.

The Government has asked parents to keep their children at home, wherever possible, and asked schools to remain open only for those children who absolutely need to attend.

If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education provision.

The Chancellor has set out a package of temporary, timely and targeted measures to support public services, people and businesses through this period of disruption caused by COVID-19. You may be eligible for loans, tax relief and cash grants.

Use the Government's business support finder to see what support is available for you and your business.

The Government has announced it will pay self-employed people a grant worth 80% of their average monthly profits over the last three years, up to £2,500 a month, for three months – but we will extend for longer if necessary.

The Government has launched a Future Fund to support continued growth and innovation in sectors as diverse as technology, life sciences and the creative industries.

Subject to eligibility, the Fund can allocate Government loans to UK-based companies ranging from £125,000 to £5 million, subject to at least equal match funding from private investors.

A dedicated helpline has been set up to help businesses and self-employed individuals.

If you are concerned about being able to pay your tax due to COVID-19, call HMRC’s dedicated helpline on 0800 0159 559.

KCC has a dedicated business support line for coronavirus-related issues, delivered by the Kent & Medway Growth Hub.

Call 03333 602 300

The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is looking for organisations who can support in the supply of ventilators and ventilator components across the United Kingdom as part of the Government's response to COVID-19.

If you think your business can help, please follow the link below to register your details.

More businesses are operating online due to the coronavirus. The National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) has published guidance for sole traders and SMEs on moving from the physical to the digital.

The Foreign & Commonwealth Office (FCO) now advises British people against all non-essential travel worldwide.

If you now need to change or cancel your travel plans, follow these steps:

1. contact your airline, travel company, cruise line or other transport and accommodation providers
2. get in touch with your insurance provider
3. continue to follow the NHS coronavirus guidance

You must follow the advice of local authorities. Your safety and security is the responsibility of the local authority where you are.

If the local authority where you are proposes to quarantine you for your own protection, you should follow their advice.

If you wish to leave the country you are in, contact your airline or travel company and your insurance provider as soon as you are able, and keep up to date with the latest developments. International travel may become more difficult. The UK Government will only organise assisted departure in exceptional circumstances.