Kent and Medway Covid-19 alert level is STAY AT HOME (Tier 4)

It is essential that everyone acts to stop the spread of the virus. 

Wash your hands, cover your face, make space. These are the three most effective ways we can all control the spread of the virus.

Remember if you have any coronavirus symptoms; high temperature, a new continuous cough, or a loss or change in your sense of taste or smell, get a free test by calling 119 or book online.

Together, we will control the virus and stop the spread.

Don’t forget, Hands, Face, Space.

Being a tier 4 area means WE MUST:

  • You must not meet socially indoors with family or friends unless they are part of your household or support bubble.

    You can exercise or visit a public outdoor place:

  • by yourself
  • with the people you live with,
  • with your support bubble,
  • or, when on your own, with 1 person from another household.

  • Children under 5, and up to two carers for a person with a disability who needs continuous care are not counted towards the outdoors gatherings limit.

    Public outdoor places include:

  • parks, beaches, countryside accessible to the public, forests
  • public gardens (whether or not you pay to enter them)
  • allotments
  • the grounds of a heritage site
  • outdoor sports courts and facilities
  • playgrounds

  • You cannot meet people in a private garden, unless you live with them or have formed a support bubble with them.

    You must wear a face covering in many indoor settings, such as shops or places of worship where these remain open, and on public transport, unless you are exempt. This is the law. Read guidance on face coverings.

Think 111 first

All our hospitals are very busy and we expect this to continue for some time.

To help you get the quickest and most appropriate treatment please call 111 first before heading to any walk-in services like A&E or Urgent Treatment Centres.

If you need urgent care NHS111 can now book a timed appointment for you at the most appropriate service including urgent treatment centres and A&E if needed.

NHS 111 is also available online at www.111.nhs.uk  

Stop the spread of the virus

Covid-19 vaccines are being rolled out but this will take several months. We need your help now.

The number of seriously ill Covid-19 patients needing hospital care will stay high as long as the infection rates stay high. Covid-19 remains a serious illness which kills.

To protect yourself, family and friends and help the NHS; everyone in Kent and Medway needs to do their bit.

We all need to follow the guidance to stop the spread of the Covid-19 virus. Hands, face, space. Working from home where you can. The rule of 6 and all the other requirements of being in Tier 3.  

Self-isolate if you have symptoms or are asked to do so

It is essential to self-isolate along with everyone in your household if someone has symptoms of the virus, or are contacted by the Test and Trace services self-isolate straight away. If you have symptoms of Covid-19 you can book a test by calling 119 or online at www.gov.uk/get-coronavirus-test.

Self-isolating does mean not going out or having any visitors. Please read and follow the guidance on how and when to self-isolate. We know it’s tough but it is essential to:

  • save lives
  • get the restrictions on Kent and Medway reduced.
Helping our most ill and urgent patients

The NHS across Kent and Medway is working together to provide support where needed and have cooperated to ensure we have opened more critical care beds. We’re continuing to provide cancer and other urgent operations and will aim to carry on providing other non-covid treatments as much as possible; but in some cases we need to move staff so they can support the additional critical care beds we have opened.

Patients who have appointments should still attend. If we need to reschedule an appointment patients will be contacted directly.

NHS services are available if you need us. Spotting problems early is vital, especially cancers. GPs are continuing to refer patients to hospitals as normal.