Coronavirus (COVID-19)

England is at Step Four of the coronavirus roadmap – follow the guidance to protect Portsmouth

Now that most national restrictions no longer apply, follow the guidance to help reduce the spread of coronavirus. Some protections remain in place in certain locations and situations.

Step four means:

• You now don’t need to stay 2 metres apart from people you do not live with. There are no limits on the number of people you can meet. However, in order to minimise risk at a time of high prevalence, you should limit the close contact you have with those you do not usually live with, and increase close contact gradually.
• The Government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can. However, the Government expects and recommends a gradual return over the summer.
• There is now no requirement to wear face coverings in law. However, the Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded/enclosed areas such as public transport.
• There are now no limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, civil partnerships, funerals and other life events (including receptions and celebrations). There will be no requirement for table service at life events, or restrictions on singing or dancing. You should follow guidance for weddings and funerals to reduce risk and protect yourself and others.
• There are now no restrictions on group sizes for attending communal worship.
• You may still be contacted by NHS Test & Trace or the NHS COVID-19 App if you have been in close contact with someone who has coronavirus. As a close contact you may need to isolate if you are not fully vaccinated – even if you don’t have symptoms. Find out more about when you need to self-isolate.

You must still isolate and get tested if you develop symptoms, no matter how mild and even if you’ve been vaccinated. If you test positive for coronavirus you must stay at home and self-isolate.

What you should do:

• While cases are high and rising, continue to act carefully and remain cautious.
• You’re expected to wear face coverings when in crowded/enclosed areas such as on public transport
• Be outside when you can, and let fresh air in when inside
• When meeting others you don’t usually spend time with, you should:
  • minimise your number of social contacts
  • minimise how long you spend with them
  • keep a distance between you and others where possible
  • consider wearing a face covering
• Take twice-weekly asymptomatic tests and record your results

If you are worried about going back to a more ‘normal’ life, you can find more information from the NHS online on how to cope with anxiety about lockdown lifting.

Socialise safely

As there’s still a risk you could catch or pass on the virus (even if you’re fully vaccinated), you should be cautions and consider the risks when socialising. While no situation is risk-free, your actions can help protect you and others.

Hospitality and entertainment

• All businesses and venues such as nightclubs can reopen
• No capacity limits apply at sporting, entertainment, or business events
• Hospitality venues such as pubs, restaurants and bars are not required to provide table service or follow other social distancing rules

Travelling (within the UK or abroad)

• Travel safely and plan your journeys – sanitise hands, wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces, and keep your distance where possible
• If travelling to countries within the UK, check the Covid-19 rules of the country you are visiting.
• The Government has introduced a traffic light system for international travel. You shouldn’t travel to countries or territories on the red or amber lists
• Check the Covid-19 rules for the country you are travelling to before you go

Read the Government’s guidance online

We regularly review updates from Government as they are published and work out what they mean for council services. We’ll publish information on these pages, or you can sign up for email updates to be the first to know.

Following Government instructions designed to help reduce the spread of coronavirus, the council has taken a number of steps to help ensure the wellbeing of customers, staff and the wider community.

This means some of the services you usually use operate in a different way. We understand the changes to our services may be frustrating, but we all need to do what we can to stop coronavirus from spreading (even at step four).

We’re working hard to make sure the services you rely on are available wherever possible.

Working together in the pandemic

We’ve reduced how many council staff are out and about during the pandemic but some people still need to work around the city. We only send out staff when we need to, and are careful to follow the latest national guidance. We’re committed to making sure that everyone who works for the council treats all of our residents and customers politely and with respect. In return, we ask everyone to respect our staff while they are doing their jobs in these challenging times.

If you need to contact us, our phone lines and customer service emails are available, and we’re keeping the website updated with information about affected services and alternatives wherever we have them.

We recognise calling a helpline is not easy for people who have difficulty using the telephone, for example some people with autism, or those with a disability, such as hearing loss. As a result we have created a text message option.

Simply text your name and a brief description of the support you need and whether you would like us to respond with a phone call or email – if you choose email make sure you tell us your email address.

The number to text is 07860 027785, this number is monitored 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. We will get back to you as soon as we can.

Please only use this number if you have difficulties making phone calls so we can use the service to support those who really need it.

• Sharing of information for the COVID-19 extremely vulnerable persons’ service
• Public health COVID-19 testing data privacy notice
• COVID-19 test and trace data privacy notice
• Portsmouth City Council – coronavirus risk assessment