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.

Everyone must stay at home to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

This includes people of all ages – even if you do not have any symptoms or other health conditions.

You can only leave your home:

• to shop for basic essentials – only when you really need to
• to do one form of exercise a day – such as a run, walk or cycle, alone or with other people you live with
• for any medical need – for example, to visit a pharmacy or deliver essential supplies to a vulnerable person
• to travel to and from work – but only where this is absolutely necessary

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)

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

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 has stepped up measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19
and save lives, and announced that all non-essential premises and businesses must now close.

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. This includes:

• a Statutory Sick Pay relief package for small to medium-size enterprises
• a 12-month business rates holiday for all retail, hospitality and leisure businesses in England
• small business grant funding of £10,000 for all business in receipt of small business rate relief or rural rate relief
• £25,000 grant funding for retail, hospitality & leisure businesses with property with a rateable value between £15,000 and £51,000
• the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5 million for SMEs through the British Business Bank
• a new lending facility from the Bank of England to help support liquidity among larger firms, helping them bridge coronavirus disruption to their cash flows through loans
• the HMRC Time To Pay Scheme

Government grants will cover 80 per cent of the salary of retained workers up to a total of £2,500 a month. The cost of wages will be backdated to 1st March and will be open initially for at least three months – and will be extended if necessary.

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.

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.

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.