Family, friends and s
How to be better prepared and enjoy the winter holidays safely
WE’VE ALREADY enjoyed Chanukah and now we’re looking forward to spending more time with our family and friends over the end-of-year holidays. But close contact means more chance of catching Covid-19 and we need to be extra careful with the new omicron variant around. You can keep yourself and others safer by continuing with thorough, regular hand washing, along with mask wearing (now compulsory in many indoor settings) and social distancing. And make lateral flow testing part of your routine (see below). That way, we can keep ourselves, families and friends safe by preventing the spread of the virus. To reduce the risks of catching Covid-19:
TAKE A TEST BEFORE GOING TO A CROWDED EVENT, MEETING FRIENDS AND FAMILY OR VISITING VULNERABLE PEOPLE
You’re at higher risk of catching or passing on Covid-19 in crowded and enclosed spaces, where there are more people who might be infectious and there’s not so much fresh air. So take a lateral flow test (LFD) before meeting up with friends and family, especially if they’re vulnerable (eg Bubbe and Zeyda), or going to a crowded event. You can pick up free lateral flow tests from pharmacies (first, get a collect code from nhs.uk) or order them from gov.uk. If your LFD is positive you must self-isolate and take a PCR test.
The NHS Covid Pass (on the NHS Covid-19 app) is now mandatory for entry into nightclubs and settings where large crowds gather. The app allows you to demonstrate proof of two vaccine doses. Proof of a negative lateral flow test will also be accepted.
VISITING FROM OUTSIDE THE UK
Anyone travelling to the UK must have proof of a negative Covid-19 test (LFD or PCR) and a completed passenger locator form on arrival. All arrivals to England must complete a Covid-19 PCR test within two days of arrival and self-isolate until they receive a negative test result.
LET IN FRESH AIR
Open doors and windows, even if it’s just for ten minutes, when you’re meeting people indoors.
WEAR A FACE COVERING
If you have Covid-19, you exhale contagious droplets and can breathe the disease on to others — so wear a face covering over your nose and mouth in enclosed spaces. It’s now a legal requirement to wear face coverings on public transport, in shops and in locations like hairdressers, cinemas, theatres and places of worship (a full list is available at gov.uk). There are exemptions where it is not practical to wear one, eg when eating, drinking or exercising.
WORK FROM HOME IF YOU CAN
Office workers who can work from home should do so. If you cannot work from home, you should continue to go in, but take a lateral flow test before going in. Report your result and, if it’s positive you must stay home, self-isolate immediately and take a confirmatory PCR test. Keep the workplace well-ventilated.