Overall picture and health advice

From Monday, July 19, most legal restrictions to control COVID-19 will be lifted in England.

However, covid rates are high and the virus is still spreading so we all need to continue to be careful and cautious, even if we have been vaccinated.

We are continuing to strongly encourage people to wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport. It is

Anyone using the Metrolink network, bus stations or transport interchanges in Greater Manchester must still wear a face covering unless exempt.

It is also recommended:

• All adults get both doses of a COVID-19 vaccine
• If you are meeting up with people try and do so outdoors or if indoors to let fresh air in by opening doors and windows
• Everyone takes free, regular lateral flow coronavirus tests twice a week
• Everyone washes their hands regularly for 20 seconds

You can find advice and support for self-isolating safely via this link

We need you to Keep Doing Your Bit so we can keep people safe, get our economy back open, save lives and protect the NHS.

• Cover your mouth and nose when indoors in public places
• Regularly wash your hands for at least 20 seconds
• Keep your home well ventilated by letting fresh air in

Remember, the safest place to meet up is outdoors. If you are meeting with friends and family it's best to do it here and to try and keep your distance from each other as much as possible. 

Please follow the current guidance. Many restrictions remain in place: 

You should continue to work from home if you can. When travelling within the UK, you should aim to do so safely and plan your journey in advance.

• Outdoor gatherings are limited to 30 people and indoor gatherings are limited to 6 people or 2 households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible).
• Indoor entertainment and attractions such as cinemas, theatres, concert halls, bowling alleys, casinos, amusement arcades, museums and children’s indoor play areas are permitted to open with COVID-secure measures in place.
• People are able to attend indoor and outdoor events, including live performances, sporting events and business events. Attendance at these events are capped according to venue type, and attendees should follow the COVID-secure measures set out by those venues.
• Indoor hospitality venues such as restaurants, pubs, bars and cafes can reopen.
• Organised indoor sport can take place for all (this includes gym classes). This must be organised by a business, charity or public body and the organiser must take reasonable measures to reduce the risk of transmission.
• All holiday accommodation can open (including hotels and B&Bs). This can be used by groups of up to 6 or 2 households (each household can include a support bubble, if eligible)

Read the full list of what you can and cannot do (Gov.uk)

If you are feeling unwell (NHS website):

• stay at home and immediately get a test.
• if you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace and told you have been close to someone with the virus, follow the instructions and self-isolate at home.

We know it can be difficult for some people to self-isolate but there is support available.

Find out about the support available if you need to self-isolate

Everyone in England, including those without symptoms, can take a free rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) test twice a week. Alongside vaccine rollout, regular testing is at the heart of plans to reopen society and the economy, helping to suppress and control the spread of variants.

You can find out more about rapid testing (Gov.uk)