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.

Derby under 'Very High' COVID alert level (tier 3)

Derby is now under COVID alert level 'Very High' (Tier 3) restrictions.

There are some alterations to the measures previously put in place in 'Very High' alert level areas. As well as following the national guidance to wash our hands, keep our distance and wear a face covering if we can, the 'Very High' restrictions mean:

• Meeting with friends and family: No mixing of households indoors, or most outdoor places, apart from support bubbles. Maximum of six in some outdoor public spaces (for example parks and public gardens).
• Hospitality: Bars, Pubs and Restaurants Hospitality is closed, with the exception of sales by takeaway, drive-through or delivery.
• Shops: Retail, including 'non-essential shops' are able open.
• Working and business: Everyone who can work from home should continue do so.
• Education: Schools, colleges and universities can remain open. Childcare, other supervised activities for children, and childcare bubbles are also permitted.
• Leisure centres: Indoor leisure is permitted; however, group activities and classes should not take place.
• Travel: Should avoid travelling outside your area, other than where necessary such as for work or education. Reduce the number of journeys where possible. Plan ahead and avoid busy times and routes on public transport. Avoid car sharing with those outside of your household or support bubble.
• Sport: Adult sport can take place outdoors, but people should avoid higher-risk contact activity. Group exercise activities and sports indoors should not take place, unless with your household or bubble. Organised activities for elite athletes, under-18s and disabled people can continue.
• Residential care: COVID-secure arrangements such as substantial screens, visiting pods, and window visits. Outdoor/airtight visits only (rollout of rapid testing will enable indoor visits including contact).
• Hotels: Accommodation Closed (with limited exceptions)
• Overnight stays: Avoid staying overnight outside of your area, unless necessary for work or education.
• Weddings and funerals: Up to 15 guests permitted for weddings, civil partnerships and wakes; 30 for funerals. Wedding receptions not permitted.
• Entertainment: Indoor venues closed.
• Places of worship: Open but cannot interact with anyone outside household or support bubble.
• Large events: Events should not take place. Drive-in events permitted.

All restrictions are monitored and evaluated by the government, Public Health England and local councils to ensure they are still necessary and appropriate for the area. A review of each local area tier placement will take place every two weeks.

Community support will be available to those who need it. Derby’s Community Hub can be contacted on 01332 640000. A text service is also available using 07774 333 412.

The government have published more details about the system and what each tier entails.

Christmas bubbles

Local alert level restrictions will be altered during Christmas, as the Government has confirmed that between 23 and 27 December three households will be allowed to form a temporary 'Christmas bubble' in all areas of the country.

Between 23 and 27 December:

• You can form an exclusive Christmas bubble composed of people from no more than three households
• You can only be in one Christmas bubble, for example you cannot see two other households on Christmas Day, and another on Boxing Day.
• You cannot change your Christmas bubble
• You can travel between tiers and UK nations for the purposes of meeting your Christmas bubble
• You can only meet your Christmas bubble in private homes or in your garden, places of worship, or public outdoor spaces
• You can continue to meet people who are not in your Christmas bubble outside your home according to the rules in the tier where you are staying
• You cannot meet someone in a private dwelling who is not part of your household or Christmas bubble

However, the more people we see, the more likely it is that we will catch or spread COVID-19. We can spread coronavirus to others even if we and the people we meet have no symptoms. All people within Christmas bubbles need to consider these risks carefully before agreeing to form a bubble.

The government have published full details on making a Christmas bubble with friends and family.

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

Derby Surveillance Report

This report summarises the information from the national surveillance system which is used to monitor the cases of the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Derby. This latest ‌‌weekly report‌ is based on daily data up to 28th November 2020.

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.

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.