Coronavirus guidance

This section will be updated as frequently as possible. Please continue to check the NHS website for the latest health information. The government's response to coronavirus is available on GOV.UK.

National COVID restrictions

Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced a national lockdown, in response to a rapid rise in cases.

Citizens are asked to begin adhering to new regulations right away, which will legally come into force across the country on Wednesday 6 January. Schools and other educational settings should close and move to remote learning from Tuesday 5 January.

The new regulations for all citizens to stay at home unless for essential reasons. The Government is asking the public to adhere to the following:

• Stay at home, except for legally exempt purposes, such as shopping for essentials or work that you cannot do from home
• Prevent any mixing with people we do not live with
• Schools and other educational settings should close and move to remote learning apart from vulnerable children or those whose parents are key workers
• Begin shielding again if you have been required to do so previously 

Read about the new restrictions in full on the Government website.

Let's do the right thing for Derby

Our campaign ‘Let’s do the right thing for Derby’ is concentrating on promoting safe and considered behaviour during the pandemic.

The campaign is calling for everyone across the city to consider the safety of fellow Derbeians by ensuring we follow these important guidelines:

• Keep our distance
• Wash our hands
• Staying home if we have symptoms, and applying for a test
• Wear a face covering, if we can

NHS Test and Trace app

The NHS COVID-19 Test and Trace app has launched as part of the large scale COVID-19 testing and contact tracing programme to notify us if we come into contact with someone who later tests positive for coronavirus.

The app allows us to report symptoms, apply for a coronavirus test, check in to venues by scanning a QR code and it helps the NHS trace individuals that may have coronavirus.

Displaying a QR code is now a legal requirement for the following businesses/locations:

• Hospitality, including pubs, bars, restaurants and cafés
• Tourism and leisure, including gyms, swimming pools, hotels, museums, cinemas, zoos and theme parks 
• Close contact services, including hairdressers, facilities provided by local authorities, including town halls and civic centres (for events), libraries and children’s centres  

If yourself or colleagues work in a service that requires a QR code, please ensure that we are compliant in displaying this for service users and help reduce the spread of coronavirus in the city.

For information and resources, including an online form to create a personalised poster that can be downloaded to display, visit the COVID-19 app website.

Staying alert

COVID-19 is an illness that can affect your lungs and airways. It’s caused by a virus called coronavirus.

We can all help control the spread of coronavirus if we stay alert. 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
• wash your hands regularly

Please check the latest guidance for staying safe outside of your home.

If you, or someone you live with, are at high risk you must continue to follow specialist advice.

Health advice

Help is available if you have any health concerns that require the advice or guidance of a professional. 

NHS 111 online can help you find the best place to go for help if you are unsure. If you do not have internet access you can call 111 from a mobile or landline. The service is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. If you are deaf you can contact the NHS 111 BSL Interpreter service or call 18001 111 from a textphone.

Advice for clinically extremely vulnerable people

For advice about staying well if you are classed as clinically extremely vulnerable, please visit the Government website.

For further support, please visit our Derby Community Hub page.

COVID-19 recovery

Information and support are available to help with your recovery from COVID-19. Visit the Your COVID recovery website for more information.

Staying well this winter

There are some simple steps to help you and your family stay well this winter. Our top tips are on our Cold weather guidance page.

Ventilation

This short film released by the government shows how coronavirus lingers in enclosed spaces, and how to keep your home ventilated.

Local health services

Local health services are still available but the way that we access the NHS in Derby and Derbyshire may be slightly different.

For example, you might be able to get medical help from home with more advice and prescriptions available online or over the phone.

Dentists have also made changes to keep services and patients safe. We recently issued a press release on how to access a dentist in Derby or Derbyshire. 

We have put together an online map which will show you where to find your nearest pharmacy.

Derby's Local Outbreak Plan

One of the key roles of the Council is to protect the health of the population. This is especially key during the coronavirus pandemic. As such, Derby City Council has set out its plans to protect the health of the population of Derby from the risks associated with COVID-19.

In enacting the plan the following objectives will seek to be achieved:

• Preventing spread of COVID-19.
• Contain and suppress outbreaks of COVID-19.
• Early identification and proactive management of outbreaks and incidents.
• Ensure service capability.
• Ensure effective communication with the public and stakeholders.

Read the full Derby City Council Outbreak Plan.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where can I find trusted information about coronavirus?

Please continue to check the NHS website for reliable health information. You can find out more about the government response to coronavirus at www.gov.uk. Staying alert to common coronavirus myths can also help you separate the fact from the fiction.

Where can I access help when I need it?

NHS 111 online can help you decide if you need medical help and offer advice on how to access help safely. The service is free to access and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can contact Derby's COVID Community Response Hub to request support or to volunteer to help others in your community.

The Samaritans helpline is still available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Please call 116 123 if you would like advice or support with mental wellbeing.