Coronavirus / COVID-19 Information sources
The following validated and authoritative information sources may be of use to keep updated with the latest guidance and advice on the Coronavirus challenges.
Contents
- What are Coronaviruses (CoV)
- Households
- Social Care and Care Homes
- Mental Health and Wellbeing
- Education
- Travel
- Animals
- Testing
- Businesses
- Healthcare
- First Responders
- Information sources
What are Coronaviruses (CoV)
They are a large family of viruses that cause illness ranging from the common cold to more severe diseases such as Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV) and Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS-CoV).
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) is a new strain that was discovered in 2019 and has not been previously identified in humans.
Coronaviruses are zoonotic, meaning they are transmitted between animals and people. Detailed investigations found that SARS-CoV was transmitted from civet cats to humans and MERS-CoV from dromedary camels to humans. Several known coronaviruses are circulating in animals that have not yet infected humans.
Common signs of infection include respiratory symptoms, fever, cough, shortness of breath and breathing difficulties. In more severe cases, infection can cause pneumonia, severe acute respiratory syndrome, kidney failure and even death.
Standard recommendations to prevent infection spread include regular hand washing, covering mouth and nose when coughing and sneezing, thoroughly cooking meat and eggs. Avoid close contact with anyone showing symptoms of respiratory illness such as coughing and sneezing.
New guidance and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about staying at home and who you can and cannot meet and much more from 1 June 2020
The government has set out its plan to return life to as near normal as we can, for as many people as we can, as quickly and fairly as possible in order to safeguard livelihoods, but in a way that is safe and continues to protect our NHS.
The government has published Staying safe outside your home guidance on what the new rules will mean. This page sets out key FAQs to help you prepare for these changes.
This guidance applies in England – people in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland should follow the specific rules in those parts of the UK.
Households
Guidance on social distancing and for vulnerable people
Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK, including children, and protecting older people and vulnerable people.
Guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection
Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
Guidance on shielding and protecting extremely vulnerable persons from COVID-19
Information for shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.
Guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable
Information for shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable from COVID-19.
Guidance on vulnerable children and young people
Questions and answers about the provisions being made for vulnerable children and young people.
Being a deputy or attorney during the coronavirus outbreak
Find out how you can continue to act in the best interests of the client or donor, during the outbreak.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/being-a-deputy-or-attorney-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak
Making and registering an LPA during the coronavirus outbreak
If you need to make an LPA now, you can still do so while observing government guidance on social distancing, self-isolating and shielding.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/making-and-registering-an-lpa-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak
Social Care and Care Homes
Social care guidance
Information for the social care sector on responding to the coronavirus pandemic.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-social-care-guidance
Guidance for residential care, supported living and home care
Residential care, supported living and home care in the event of a coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
How to work safely in care homes
Guidance for those working in care homes providing information on how to work safely during this period of sustained transmission of COVID-19.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-how-to-work-safely-in-care-homes
Mental Health and Wellbeing
Guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing
Advice and information on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing
Advice for parents and carers on looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children or young people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Education
Guidance for educational settings
Guidance for schools and other educational settings in providing advice about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-educational-settings-about-covid-19
Travel advice for educational settings
Advice for educational settings, and their students and staff, who are travelling or planning to travel during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Cancellation of GCSEs, AS and A levels in 2020
This guidance aims to answer common questions in relation to the cancellation of GCSEs, AS and A levels due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in 2020.
Travel
Safer travel guidance for passengers
Walking, cycling, and travelling in vehicles or on public transport during the coronavirus outbreak.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-travel-guidance-for-passengers
Overseas travel advice
Guidance for British people travelling and living overseas during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Animals
Advice for people with animals
Advice for pet owners and livestock keepers on maintaining the welfare of their animals during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-animals
Testing
Getting tested
Guidance on coronavirus testing for frontline workers who are self-isolating.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/coronavirus-covid-19-getting-tested
Testing: Privacy information
Privacy notice on COVID-19 virus testing for critical workers and their household members who are self-isolating because they are showing symptoms.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-testing-privacy-information
Scaling up testing programmes
How the government intends to scale up testing programmes to provide a test to anyone who needs one.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-scaling-up-testing-programmes
Help the government increase coronavirus (COVID-19) testing capacity
The government wants help from businesses to increase testing capacity in the UK as part of its strategy to protect the NHS and save lives.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-the-government-increase-coronavirus-covid-19-testing-capacity
How organisations can support the testing programme
The government wants help from organisations with laboratory capability to increase the testing programme in the UK as part of its strategy to protect the NHS and save lives.
Tell us you can produce testing kits and services
Forms for organisations that can manufacture and supply testing consumables, equipment and laboratory PPE as part of the coronavirus (COVID-19) response.
COVID-19 (SARS-CoV-2): Laboratory testing request form
Form (E28) for requesting testing for SARS-CoV-2.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/testing-for-wuhan-novel-cov-2019-ncov
Businesses
Guidance for employees, employers and businesses
Guidance for employees, employers and businesses in providing advice about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-to-employers-and-businesses-about-covid-19
Guidance for food businesses
Advice for food businesses in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak in the UK.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-food-businesses
COVID-19 regulatory position statements
Environment Agency regulatory response to COVID-19 (coronavirus).
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/covid-19-regulatory-position-statements
Apprenticeship programme response
This document sets out guidance for apprentices, employers, training providers and assessment organisations in response to the impact of coronavirus (COVID-19).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-apprenticeship-programme-response
Guidance for Companies House customers, employees and suppliers
Companies House has robust plans in place to maintain services for our customers and protect the welfare of our employees during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Guidance for staff in the transport sector
Guidance on COVID-19, including general precautions for staff and guidance on the assessment and management of arrivals into the UK.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-staff-in-the-transport-sector
Guidance for managing a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic
This advice is designed to assist people who are involved in managing or organising a funeral related to a death from any cause during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Guidance for Community Interest Companies (CICs)
The Office of the Regulator of Community Interest Companies (CICs) has robust plans in place to maintain services for CICs and protect the welfare of employees during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Ventilator supply specification
Specification of rapidly manufactured ventilator systems needed as part of the response to coronavirus (COVID-19).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-ventilator-supply-specification
Healthcare
Background information
Information on COVID-19 including epidemiology, virology and clinical features.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-background-information
Guidance for health professionals
Information on COVID-19, including guidance on the assessment and management of suspected UK cases.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/wuhan-novel-coronavirus
Infection prevention and control (IPC)
Guidance on infection prevention and control for COVID-19.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) personal protective equipment (PPE).
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-personal-protective-equipment-ppe
Personal protective equipment (PPE) plan
Cross-government UK-wide plan to ensure that critical personal protective equipment (PPE) is delivered to those on the frontline responding to coronavirus (COVID-19).
How to work safely in domiciliary care
A resource for those working in domiciliary care providing information on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-how-to-work-safely-in-domiciliary-care
Personal protective equipment use for aerosol generating procedures
Guidance on the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) for aerosol generating procedures (AGPs).
NHS and social care staff: Check if a COVID-19 patient has an attorney or deputy
Find out about the information we have on our registers and how NHS staff and local authorities in England and Wales can ask us for it
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-staff-searching-our-registers-of-attorneys-and-deputies
Guidance for stepdown of infection control precautions within hospitals and discharging COVID-19 patients from hospital to home settings
Advice on appropriate infection prevention and control (IPC) precautions for stepdown in hospital or discharge to home or residential settings.
Management of exposed healthcare workers and patients in hospital settings
Guidance on the management of hospital staff and patients who have been exposed to COVID-19.
Guidance for Ambulance Trusts
This guidance is for suspected cases of COVID-19 where an emergency ambulance response is required.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-ambulance-trusts
Investigation and initial clinical management of possible cases
Information on case definitions, and the initial assessment and investigation of possible cases of COVID-19 infection.
Evaluation of commercially available diagnostic products
Information on how Public Health England (PHE) is evaluating the various commercially available COVID-19 diagnostics products.
Guidance for sampling and for diagnostic laboratories
Information for clinical diagnostic laboratories regarding safety, sampling and packaging specimens associated with COVID-19.
Guidance for care of the deceased
Advice primarily designed to assist people required to manage bodies of deceased persons infected with coronavirus (COVID-19).
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-care-of-the-deceased
Notification of data controllers to share information
Notification of data controllers in healthcare organisations, GPs, local authorities and arm’s length bodies that they should share information to support efforts against coronavirus (COVID-19).
First Responders
Guidance for first responders
Advice for first responders (as defined by the Civil Contingencies Act) and others who may have close contact with symptomatic people who may have COVID-19.
Information sources
UK Government Coronavirus/COVID-19 Response Information
The main UK Government website on Coronavirus information with a large and ever growing collection of advice and guidance and legal requirements.
https://www.gov.uk/government/topical-events/coronavirus-covid-19-uk-government-response
Coronavirus (COVID-19) information leaflet
Leaflet on what to do to help stop the spread of coronavirus, including information on symptoms and government support.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-information-leaflet
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Guidance
Find guidance about coronavirus (COVID-19) for health professionals and other organisations.
https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/coronavirus-covid-19-list-of-guidance
Number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk in the UK
The latest number of coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and risk level in the UK.
https://ukhsa-dashboard.data.gov.uk/respiratory-viruses/covid-19
National Health Service (NHS)
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19
US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/