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Advice re Social Distancing

This page contains information on "social distancing". For information regarding self-isolation please click here.

Am I Affected?

The government advice is that those who are at increased risk of severe illness from Covid-19 should be particularly stringent in following social distancing measures.

This group includes those who are:

  • aged 70 or older (regardless of medical conditions)

  • under 70 with an underlying health condition listed below (ie anyone instructed to get a flu jab as an adult each year on medical grounds):

  • chronic (long-term) respiratory diseases, such as asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), emphysema or bronchitis

  • chronic heart disease, such as heart failure

  • chronic kidney disease

  • chronic liver disease, such as hepatitis

  • chronic neurological conditions, such as Parkinson’s disease, motor neurone disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), a learning disability or cerebral palsy

  • diabetes

  • problems with your spleen – for example, sickle cell disease or if you have had your spleen removed

  • a weakened immune system as the result of conditions such as HIV and AIDS, or medicines such as steroid tablets or chemotherapy

  • being seriously overweight (a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above)

  • those who are pregnant

What is Social Distancing & What Should I do?

Social distancing measures are steps you can take to reduce the social interaction between people. This will help reduce the transmission of COVID-19.

They are:

  1. Avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of COVID-19. These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough

  2. Avoid non-essential use of public transport, varying your travel times to avoid rush hour, when possible

  3. Work from home, where possible. Your employer should support you to do this. Please refer to employer guidance for more information

  4. Avoid large gatherings, and gatherings in smaller public spaces such as pubs, cinemas, restaurants, theatres, bars, clubs

  5. Avoid gatherings with friends and family. Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media

  6. Use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services

Everyone should be trying to follow these measures as much as is pragmatic.

For those who are over 70, have an underlying health condition or are pregnant, we strongly advise you to follow the above measures as much as you can, and to significantly limit your face-to-face interaction with friends and family if possible.

This advice is likely to be in place for some weeks.

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