Hampshire County Council’s Leader and Chair of the Local Outbreak Engagement Board, Councillor Keith Mans said: “It is a positive step for Hampshire and, indeed, the whole country, that many restrictions are ending this week. Getting back to a more normal way of life is both good for our economy as well as people’s wellbeing after so much uncertainty.
“However, COVID-19 is still very much with us. The number of positive cases remains high among some populations and we’re not out of the woods yet. Therefore, it is our individual choices that will be crucial to ensuring we keep moving in the right direction. I strongly encourage residents to continue following Public Health advice, to help keep each other safe.”
Public Health Advice
From Thursday 27 January, national advice urges people to remain cautious and to:
- choose to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, where you may come into contact with people you don’t normally meet,
- get both doses of the vaccination and the booster,
- take regular rapid lateral flow tests, particularly before meeting others or before going to crowded and enclosed spaces,
- wash hands frequently and use hand sanitiser when out and about,
- let in fresh air when indoors, and
- keep your NHS COVID App on.
It is not too late to get vaccinated and boosted, and residents are encouraged to go to one of the many places available to get their jabs, such as walk-in clinics, hospital hubs and vaccination centres. For information and to book a vaccine visit the NHS website: www.nhs.uk/coronavirus
Restrictions still in place
You are still required to:
- Take a PCR test if you have symptoms.
- Self-isolate up to 10 days if you have symptoms or a positive result via a PCR or LFD test.
- Self-isolate up to 10 days after a positive LFD tests and record the results
- Follow the travel restrictions relating to testing requirements. Look out for further changes to travel rules, which will could come into effect on Friday 11 February, subject to ministerial approval.
A summary of the key changes following the end of Plan B are available on the www.gov.uk website.
The Government restrictions that remain in place will be reviewed in due course.
