Throughout the Coronavirus outbreak, it is everyone’s responsibility to help stop the spread of the virus and reduce the risk to other people, particularly our most vulnerable residents.

Self-isolation guidance if you have coronavirus symptoms

The government has published guidance regarding staying at home if you, or anyone in your household has symptoms of coronavirus.

The most common symptoms are recent onset of any of the following:

  • a new continuous cough
  • a high temperature
  • a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell

For most people, coronavirus will be a mild illness. However, if you have any of the symptoms above you should self-isolate at home. Symptoms can be checked using NHS 111 online.

If you live alone

  • if you live alone and you have symptoms, however mild, stay at home for at least seven days from when your symptoms started
  • after seven days, if you do not have a high temperature, you do not need to continue to self-isolate. If you still have a high temperature, keep self-isolating until your temperature returns to normal.
  • you do not need to self-isolate if you only have a cough or a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell after seven days, as these symptoms can last for several weeks after the infection has gone

If you live with others

  • if you live with others, and you are the first in the household to have symptoms, then you must stay at home for at least seven days, but all other household members who remain well must stay at home for 14 days (the 14 day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill).
  • for anyone else in the household who starts displaying symptoms, they need to stay at home for at least seven days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 14 day isolation period. 
  • staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the community

Health and wellbeing advice and guidance

Mental wellbeing

Being 'kind to your mind' has never been so important than in these challenging and unusual times. It's understandable if you are experiencing a sense of stress or anxiety, maybe eating more, struggling to sleep, drinking excess alcohol or lacking motivation. Just remember to be kind to your mind and your body during this time.

A newly launched website – kindtoyourmind.org – provides a range of useful resources to help you through. If you are looking for tips, advice, apps or even online courses to help with your mental wellbeing – there is something here for you!

happyoksad.org.uk also provides helpful information, covering a variety of topics, such as coping with difficult feelings, staying connected with friends and family and making time for relaxation. There are links to helpful practical resources, national support services and government advice. You will also find information on what to do in a crisis.

Quit smoking

As coronavirus is a disease that attacks the respiratory system, smokers are more susceptible, and more likely to have serious symptoms, finding it more difficult to recover. There has never been a better time to quit – practical tips and online support are available from LiveWires’s stop smoking team.

Limit alcohol

Excess alcohol consumption can lead to a number of problems, including worsening mental health issues and weight gain from consuming extra calories and hangovers leading to poor food choices the next day.

Alcohol also increases the risk of domestic abuse and accidents in the home. Find out more about drinking responsibly at drinkaware.co.uk.

Stay connected with culture

Many of us are looking for activities to keep us connected and active during this period of social distancing and self-isolation. In partnership with Culture Warrington, we’ve put together a list of cultural events, activities and resources that you can access from home.

Keep active

Adults should do some type of physical activity every day – any type of activity is good for you. Sport England has launched #StayInWorkOut which provides tips, advice and guidance on how to keep or get active in and around your home.

Find out more on the Sport England website.

Eat well

Eating a healthy, balanced diet is an important part of maintaining good health, and can help you feel your best.

This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight. Find out more on the NHS Live Well website.

Essential shopping – what does this mean?

The government is asking people to stay at home as much as possible, this means only going to the shops to buy essential items.

Please do not bulk buy products – many supermarkets have implemented restrictions on certain goods. This is because some shops have been left shortages of certain items, leaving older people and key workers unable to buy basic shopping for themselves and their families.

Please ensure you only buy what your household needs for one week, as this will help keep everyone safe and well.

Essential shopping for vulnerable family, friends and neighbours

If you have family, friends, or neighbours, who must be shielded and remain at home, you can also buy some essential items for them. Again please only buy what that person needs for the next week.

Buying food for others

If you are buying food for other people, it is important that you still follow the social distancing rules. This means you should leave shopping on their doorstep and then step away from the door when they come to collect it.

Transferring money

You may also want to limit the amount of cash you handle, so if possible people could be asked to transfer money into your bank account using online banking. They will only need to provide their bank account number and sort code – never give, or encourage anyone to provide, any passwords/login details for online banking.