COVID-19 guidance and treatment
This page provides an overview of current COVID-19 guidance and treatment.
Our staying staying safe and reducing your risk of COVID-19 page outlines some of the steps you can take to minimise your risk.
On this page
Additional guidance for people at higher risk
Current COVID-19 guidance
Here we summarise the current guidance for England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland:
England
On 21 February 2022 the Government set out the plan to live with and manage COVID-19 in England. All restrictions have now been removed in England, further information can be found on GOV.UK.
COVID-19 tests are no longer free for most people and most people are no longer advised to get tested. If you're eligible and have symptoms, you can order a free COVID-19 test.
If you test positive for COVID-19 you are no longer legally required to self-isolate, but you are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with others for at least 5 days.
Scotland
On 22 February 2022, Scotland's Strategic Framework Update was published and on 15 March 2022 the Test and Protect - transition plan was published. All restrictions have now been removed in Scotland, further information can be found on GOV.scot.
Scotland's legal restrictions on face coverings have come to an end but the government recommends wearing a mask in indoor public spaces and on public transport.
COVID-19 tests are no longer free for most people and most people are no longer advised to get tested. If you're eligible and have symptoms, you can order a free COVID-19 test.
Stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities. Do this until you no longer have a high temperature (if you had one) or until you feel better.
Wales
On 4 March 2022, Wales’ long-term COVID-19 transition from pandemic to endemic was published. All restrictions have now been removed in Wales, further information can be found on GOV.Wales.
Face coverings are no longer legally required but are still strongly recommended in health and social care settings.
COVID-19 tests are no longer free for most people and most people are no longer advised to get tested. If you're eligible and have symptoms, you can order a free COVID-19 test.
The legal requirement to self-isolate if you have COVID-19 has ended, although people testing positive are advised to stay at home for at least 5 days.
Northern Ireland
On 24 March 2022 the Northern Ireland Department of Health published their COVID-19 Test, Trace and Protect Transition Plan. All restrictions have now been removed in Northern Ireland, further information can be found on nidirect.
Although wearing a face covering is no longer a legal requirement, they are still strongly recommended in indoor areas where you come into contact with people you do not usually meet.
COVID-19 tests are no longer free for most people and most people are no longer advised to get tested. If you're eligible and have symptoms, you can order a free COVID-19 test.
If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and have a high temperature or do not feel well enough to go to work or carry out normal activities, you should stay at home and avoid contact with other people. Do this until you no longer have a high temperature (if you had one) or until you feel better.
Additional guidance for people at higher risk
People with certain types of cancer, like lymphoma, may be at higher risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, despite vaccination.
Your individual risk will depend on the type of lymphoma you have, what treatment you are having or have had in the past, how long ago you were treated and any other medical conditions you have. Available evidence suggests the following groups of people may be at higher risk:
- People who have had a splenectomy.
- People who have low-grade non-Hodgkin lymphoma even if you have not required treatment for many years.
- People who have received a stem cell transplant, radiotherapy or chemotherapy in the last 12 months.
- People who have received a donor (allogeneic) stem cell transplant with active graft versus host disease, regardless of the time from transplant.
- People who have received CAR T-cell therapy in the last 24 months.
Your GP or specialist will be able to offer advice that is specific to you.
Specific guidance is available for people in these higher risk groups in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Treatment for people at higher risk
Treatments are available for people with COVID-19 who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill.
How these treatments can be obtained varies depending on location, and specific information is available for people who are at higher risk in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.
Further support
If you or someone you live with continues to be at high risk of getting seriously ill from COVID-19, you may find the following pages useful:
However you’re feeling, we’re here for you. Our helpline services team can offer support in a range of ways. Contact us for support.