As many readers will know, the new Omicron variant is spreading quickly across London and the UK.
But there are a number of things you can do to protect yourself and your family and prevent a crisis in the NHS this winter.
That includes getting your first, second and booster jabs, wearing a face covering on public transport and in crowded places such as shops, banks, and theatres, taking rapid flow tests twice a week and before you meet up with friends and family, letting fresh air into your home or workplace, and sanitising regularly.
If you have any symptoms of COVID it is vital that you immediately take a PCR test and, if it is positive, you must self-isolate for ten days.
Anyone over the age of five who lives in the same household as someone with COVID-19, and who are not legally required to self-isolate, are now advised to take a rapid flow test every day for seven days. If anyone tests positive, they should self-isolate to protect other people.
People who are not double vaccinated and who live with someone with COVID-19 must stay at home and self-isolate for ten days.
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If you have tested positive for COVID-19 or live with someone who has tested positive, and you are not fully vaccinated, extra support is available to help you self-isolate.
If you test positive but you are not able to work from home and will lose income as a result of self-isolating, you may be eligible for a £500 payment. You can call the City Corporation on 020 7332 3937 to find out more.
If you cannot arrange for food, medication, and other essential items to be delivered while you and your household self-isolate, please let the City Corporation know.
You can do this by emailing [email protected] or by calling 020 7606 3030.
You can also call City Advice for help with food, benefits advice, and debt on
020 7392 2919, or email them at [email protected].
If you have concerns about a vulnerable adult or child, please visit our website to find out how to report your concern.
The City of London hosts test sites for those with and without symptoms.
The site for people with symptoms is at 65A Basinghall EC2V 5DZ and will be open between 10am and 2pm on Christmas Day, Boxing Day, and New Year’s Day.
The site for those without symptoms is at Aldermanbury, EC2V 7HH and will be open between 9am and 3.15pm on Christmas Eve, December 29, December 30 and New Year’s Eve. It will reopen for testing on January 4. Further information is available at cityoflondon.gov.uk/covid19testing.
Free home testing kits for anyone without symptoms are available to collect from our testing sites or from pharmacies across the Square Mile and Hackney.
For a list go to maps.test-and-trace.nhs.uk.
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