Corona Virus in the UK

THE ROADMAP FOR LIFTING LOCKDOWN; FURTHER EASING OF THE LOCKDOWN RULES IN THE UK.  There are measures that have been put in place for the lifting of the lockdown in the UK. These preventive measures and restrictions are as follows:     Wearing face masks in the public.     Covering of coughs and sneezing with a tissue     Washing hands with soap and water often and for at least twenty seconds and the use of hand sanitisers.     Practising good respiratory hygiene Social distancing method for example; Quarantine, Travel restrictions, avoiding of crowded areas, using no-contact greetings and the closing of social centres like Restaurants, Shopping Centers, Theatres, Workplaces and schools etc The COVID-19 pandemic led to the loss of human lives and present an unprecedented challenge to public health and food systems in the UK. The economic and social disruption caused by the pandemic is devastating, a lot of people are at risk of falling into extreme poverty. The COVID-19 pandemic affected education in many ways. Many universities across the United Kingdom limited or completely suspended face-to-face teaching to limit the spread of this deadly virus and moved to remote learning.   Fortunately, new lockdown rules have been put in place since the covid vaccination ( Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine) was founded in the year 2021. This vaccine is for everyone including international students in the UK.   APPROACH TO LIFTING RESTRICTIONS IN THE UK   On 22 February the government announced new lockdown rules in the UK, a staged approach to lifting restrictions in England. These rules are: Leaving the house and domestic travel: People are advised to stay local, continue to work from home and minimise the number of journeys they take, wherever possible. Meeting friends and family outdoors: From 29 March 2021, six people or two households may meet outdoors. Schools: Primary and secondary schools open from 8 March. Cafes and restaurants:  Outdoor hospitality open; indoor hospitality expected to reopen on 17 May. Accommodation: From 12 April, self-contained accommodation permitted to open for overnight stays, with household or support bubble only. Shops and services: Open Places of worship: Open, but no socialising outside household. Leisure and entertainment venues: Outdoor attractions such as zoos, theme parks and drive-in performances permitted to open. Indoor entertainment venues, including cinemas expected to reopen from 17 May. Outdoor and indoor events: Larger events expected to be permitted from 17 May, with maximum capacity limits.   The following are the rules for being outside the home:     The use of face coverings is mandatory on public transport, shops, indoor setting and hospitality venues when not seated at a table. There should be minimum social distancing, people should remain 2 meters apart, if this is not possible, they should take precautions to limit transmission.   The following are the Covid-19 workplace guidelines:     People are advised to work from home where possible. Workplaces should follow Covid-secure guidelines including carrying out a Covid-19 risk assessment, introducing increased hygiene and cleaning procedures, maintaining 2meters of distancing where possible, and where this is not possible, steps must be taken to manage transmission risk.   The UK government made new lists of countries that people should and should not travel to, given that the virus is still spreading in many parts of the world.   THE UK TRAVEL LISTS The Uk travel lists consist of new traffic light system rules in the UK, consisting of the Green list, the Amber list and the Red list was put in place to control the lockdown rules in the UK. These lists will be effective from the 17th of May GREEN LIST: The Green List consists of countries that are deemed the safest for holidaymakers from the 17th of May. People will be allowed to fly to and from these countries with fewer restrictions.   Some of these countries are Australia,  Iceland, New Zealand, Israel and Jerusalem etc.   REQUIREMENTS NEEDED AFTER RETURNING FROM COUNTRIES ON THE GREEN LIST.     Passenger Locator Form     Predeparture test at destination     Covid test (PCR testing) should be taken on or before day 2 of returning to the UK.   The Amber and the Red list consists of countries that citizens and non-citizens in the UK are not allowed to travel to for leisure purposes. Also, on return from any of the countries on the red and amber list, one will be subject to certain quarantine measures.   AMBER LIST Some of these countries are: Nigeria, Algeria, Cyprus, Egypt, France, the USA, Italy etc   REQUIREMENTS AND QUARANTINE MEASURES AFTER RETURNING FROM COUNTRIES ON THE AMBER LIST     Passenger Locator Form     Predeparture test at destination     Self Isolation of 10 days after returning to the UK     Covid test (PCR testing) should be taken on or before day 2 of returning to the UK     Further PCR testing will be taken on day 8 after returning to the UK   RED LIST Countries in the Red list have the strictest rules, with only UK or Irish nationals and UK residents allowed to return. Some of these countries are Angola, India, Kenya, Bangladesh, South Africa, Turkey etc   REQUIREMENTS AND QUARANTINE MEASURES AFTER RETURNING FROM COUNTRIES ON THE RED LIST     Passenger Locator Form     Predeparture test at destination     Hotel quarantine of 10 days after returning to the UK     Covid test (PCR testing) should be taken on or before day 2 of returning to the UK     Further PCR testing will be taken on day 8 after returning to the UK However, it is important to note that the government will announce one week in advance of the May 17th date whether these new lockdown rules in the UK will be relaxed as planned and the lists would be reviewed every three weeks.  Visit us or speak with our counsellors to get detailed information on the new traffic light system rules in the UK.