COVID-19 Hub

About the COVID-19 Hub

Guidance applies to England only from the 24 February 2022

• You will not be legally required to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19. Stay at home if you can and avoid contact with other people.
• You will not have to take daily tests or be legally required to self-isolate following contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
• The Test and Trace Support Payment Scheme will end. If you were told to self-isolate before 24 February, you can still make a claim up to 6 April.

The Government announced on 21 February 2022 the end of all existing covid restrictions in England on 24 February 2022 . A Living with Covid paper is available outlining the changes coming into effect on 24 February 2022. 

The Government’s aim throughout the COVID-19 pandemic has been to protect the lives and livelihoods of citizens across the United Kingdom (UK). The Government has and will continue to protect and support citizens by enabling society and the economy to open up more quickly than many comparable countries, using vaccines, and supporting the National Health Service (NHS) and social care sector.

The global pandemic is not yet over, and RBKC will continue monitoring and controlling outbreaks and offer support to residents who need it. 

The Covid hub will continue to offer support to residents. Telephone: 020 7361 4326 Email: [email protected] Monday to Friday from 9:00am to 5:00pm. Our offer of support will be reviewed in line with Government guidance.

The shielding programme has now ended in England. This means that people who were previously considered clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) will not be advised to shield in the future or follow specific national guidance.

If this applies to you, you should have received a letter informing you of these changes in more detail and providing further information on available support.  

The situation is now very different to when shielding was first introduced.  We know a lot more about the virus and what makes someone more or less vulnerable to COVID-19, the vaccine continues to be successfully rolled out, and other treatments and interventions are becoming available. 

The Government will continue to assess the situation and the risks posed by COVID-19 and, based on clinical advice, will respond accordingly to keep the most vulnerable safe.

As a minimum, you should continue to follow the same guidance on staying safe and preventing the spread of COVID-19. You should consider advice from your health professional on whether additional precautions are right for you. However, as someone with a health condition, you may want to consider, alongside any advice from your clinician, if additional precautions are right for you. These could include:

• considering whether you and those you are meeting have been vaccinated – you might want to wait until 14 days after everyone’s second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine before being in close contact with others
• considering continuing to practice social distancing if that feels right for you and your friends
• asking friends and family to take a rapid lateral flow antigen test before visiting you
• asking home visitors to wear face coverings
• avoiding crowded spaces

Financial difficulties

If you are in financial difficulties due to Coronavirus or other issues, you will continue to be able to access support. Visit our Local Support Payments page for more information on financial help. Alternatively you can call 020 7745 6464 between 8.30am and 5pm, Monday to Friday. Make sure you are receiving what you are entitled to. If you do not currently get Universal Credit you can visit the Department for Work and Pensions website see if you are eligible.

You can also access additional support from your energy supplier. Energy suppliers are required by the regulator, Ofgem, to hold a register of customers in a vulnerable circumstance, called a Priority Service Register. If you are clinically extremely vulnerable you can be added to this register. For information about how to be added to the register and the additional services your supplier can provide you, please visit Ofgem’s website. 

Telecom providers are also required by their regulator, Ofcom, to support their vulnerable customers. For information about the additional services your supplier may be able to provide you as a vulnerable customer, please visit Ofcom’s website.

For more information about different forms of support for residents please visit our local support page.

Support with shopping and food

Residents who need food shopping delivered should contact the COVID-19 Hub for advice or visit our help with shopping and food page for more information.

Housing

Information on housing advice, homelessness concerns and to report urgent repairs 020 7361 3008 or email [email protected] or email [email protected] for homelessness.

Medicine

People who need prescriptions collected, there are options for home delivery. In the first instance speak to your local pharmacist who should be able to arrange for your prescription to be delivered to your home. If they are unable to help you can visit the GoodSAM website to request an NHS volunteer by completing a form online. Don’t forget you can also ask a friend or neighbour to collect a prescription for you.

Mental Health and Wellbeing, including Loneliness

Coronavirus has created a lot of challenges for people trying to deal with not seeing friends and family, not working, and not being able to do the things they have taken for granted. This has added to the stresses that we all feel at various times.

There is a lot of support and advice available to help you maintain and improve your mental health and wellbeing. Visit the Every Mind Matters website which gives you the knowledge to improve your sleep, anxiety, mood, and stress, which are the most common issues people experience.

You can also visit the Good Thinking website which has NHS-approved apps to help with stress, anxiety, and sleep.

If you know someone who can’t get online they can contact the NHS Single Point of Access on 08000 234650 24 hours a day. There is also the Community Living Well service for people who are registered with a GP. You can call this on 020 3317 4200.

If you are in an emergency, you can call the Samaritans 24 hours a day on 03300 345717 or freephone 116 123. There is also the Listen Place which is open 9am to 9pm and is available on 020 3906 7676.