Advice and support for residents
Shielding and protecting extremely vulnerable people
Last updated: 1 June at 14:55
If you are classed as someone who is extremely vulnerable to coronavirus, you will be contacted directly by NHS England.
You are strongly advised to stay at home as much as possible and keep visits outside to a minimum.
You can read full guidance for people who are extremely medically vulnerable to coronavirus on GOV.UK.
Stay alert
We all need to help control the virus. This means you must:
- stay at home as much as possible
- work from home if you can
- limit contact with other people
- keep your distance if you go out - 2 metres apart where possible
- wash your hands regularly
Do not leave home if you or anyone in your household has symptoms.
Stay at home if you have coronavirus symptoms
Stay at home if you have:
- a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
- a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
- loss of or a change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal
Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital.
Use the 111 online coronavirus service to find out what to do. Only call 111 if you cannot get help online.
When to self-isolate
Self-isolation is when you stay at home because you have or might have coronavirus (COVID-19).
- If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you'll need to stay at home for at least seven days
- If you live with someone who has symptoms, has tested positive or is waiting for a test result you'll need to stay at home for 14 days. The 14 days starts from when the first person in your home started having symptoms
Read more advice from the NHS on self-isolation and staying at home
Ask for a test to check if you have coronavirus
If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), you can ask for a test to check if you have the virus.
You need to get the test done in the first five days of having symptoms. Do not wait, ask for the test as soon as you have symptoms.
Find out more about asking for a coronavirus test on the NHS wesbite
Do you need extra help at the moment? This could be with:
- food supplies
- collecting regular prescriptions
- or a friendly phone call to keep in touch with the outside world
Council tax hardship fund
As part of the response to coronavirus (COVID-19), the government has announced a £500 million hardship fund to provide council tax relief for vulnerable households.
Read the latest information on the council tax hardship fund
Other council tax support
If your income has been affected by coronavirus and you can't pay your council tax, there are several options.
If you are unable to work because of coronavirus (COVID-19) support is available. You should read the latest guidance for employees on GOV.UK.
Many local businesses are now offering a home delivery service for your essential shopping.
From grocers and butchers, to prepared meals and pet food. We have put together a list of businesses offering deliveries in the district.
If someone in your household has coronavirus symptoms help keep our waste collection crew safe.
- Put contaminated waste, such as used tissues and disposable cleaning cloths, straight into disposable rubbish bags.
- Place these rubbish bags into another bag and tie it securely.
- keep it aside for at least 72 hours before putting it into your usual external household waste bin (not recycling).
Unfortunately criminals are already looking to scam people using coronavirus. There's lots of good things happening to support people, like our volunteer scheme, donation appeal and help for businesses.
But there are people out there who aren't trying to help, and it's really important to stay safe.
Door-knocking
Kent Police have warned about people going door-to-door, claiming to be from the health authority. They will offer to test you for COVID-19 or to take your temperature.
You should ask them to leave and report them to Kent Police on 101. Don't give them any of your details or money. If they don't leave, call 999.
Stay safe out shopping
If you're out shopping, don't give your money or debit or credit card to someone you don't know.
Never write your PIN down and don't give it to anyone else.
Email, text and website scams
GOV.UK has information on email, text and fake website scams.