Irish In Britain

This section of our website is dedicated to compiling resources and information of the many different aspects of supporting our members and community through the coronavirus health crisis. It will be updated regularly. Please scroll down for sections on mental health, funding and finance questions and tips for working from home.

TRAVELLING TO AND FROM IRELAND

• The Irish government is currently advising against all non-essential international travel.

• Any passengers arriving into Ireland whose journey originated in Britain are required to have a negative / not detected result from a pre–departure Covid–19 PCR test taken within 72 hours before their arrive in Ireland. 

• Travellers arriving in Ireland (excluding Northern Ireland) from Britain must restrict their movements for 2 weeks. Travellers from Britain are advised to avoid all non–essential travel.

• There is no restriction for travellers from Northern Ireland to Ireland and vice versa. 

• It is illegal to travel abroad from the UK for holidays.

• If you are travelling to Ireland during the pandemic, please consult the Irish government’s advice page. 

• If you are travelling from Ireland to the UK, you do not need to take a Covid-19 test.

HOW TO PROTECT YOURSELF AND OTHERS

• Wash your hands regularly

• Maintain social distancing of 2 metres.

• A face–covering, like a mask, is mandatory on public transport in England and Scotland. Children under 5 are exempt in Scotland. Children under 11 and people with certain health conditions are exempt in England. Face masks are compulsory in shops in Scotland and England.

• Work from home if you can.

LOCKDOWNS AND SOCIAL GATHERING RULES

From Step 2 (12 April) events organised by businesses, charitable organisations, sporting and public bodies are permitted, within the restrictions set out in this guidance, providing that:

• Event organisers follow all relevant COVID–secure guidance depending on the type of event and complete a related risk assessment. This guidance varies according to the type of event and could include outdoor events, funfairs, performing arts or sports events (full list in the Existing guidance section).

• Organisers and attendees adhere to all legal requirements, including maintaining group sizes permitted by social contact restrictions at the relevant step in the Roadmap and preventing mixing between groups, enforcing social distancing guidelines and mandating face coverings in indoor areas where required.

• All reasonable action has been taken by the event organiser to mitigate risk to public health.

• As per regulation 2(6)(f) of The Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (All Tiers) (England) Regulations 2020, a place is indoors if it would be considered to be enclosed or substantially enclosed for the purposes of section 2 of the Health Act 2006 under the Smoke–free (Premises and Enforcement) Regulations 2006.

Step 3 will take place no earlier than 17 May. The government’s intention is that indoor events and all remaining outdoor events can commence from Step 3, subject to meeting COVID–secure requirements including social distancing.

Step 4, in which the government aims to remove all legal limits on social contact, will take place no earlier than 21 June.

For more information about restrictions in England click here.

For the latest information on restrictions in Scotland click here.

For the latest information on restrictions in Wales click here.

VULNERABLE GROUPS

If you are clinically extremely vulnerable living in England, you should stay at home at all times, unless for exercise or medical appointments, and not attend work. Read further guidance here.

If you are over 60 or clinically vulnerable (e.g. with an underlying condition), you could be at higher risk of severe illness from coronavirus. you should minimise contact with others, practice strict social distancing with those outside your household and wash your hands frequently.

The shielding guidance page is available here.

VACCINATIONS

The NHS will let you know when it is your turn to get the vaccine. 

TESTING

Anyone who has the symptoms of coronavirus (Covid–19) can ask for a free test to check if they have the virus. This is called an antigen test. There is another test to check if you have already had the virus – an antibody test – but this is not yet widely available.

Read more about how to get a test on the NHS website. 

ADVICE ON AVOIDING CONTACT WITH THE CORONAVIRUS INFECTION (COVID–19)

DO:

• wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds

• always wash your hands when you get home or into work

• use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

• cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

• put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards

• avoid contact with people who have symptoms of coronavirus

• work from home if you can

• only travel on public transport if you absolutely have to, such as going to work, providing care or help for a vulnerable person, or for medical reasons

• use phone, online services, or apps to contact your GP surgery or other NHS services

• maintain social distance of two metres

• follow the regional lockdown guidance above.

 DON’T:

• touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

The following symptoms may develop after exposure to someone who has the coronavirus:

• A new continuous cough

• Difficulty in breathing

• Fever/high temperature 

• Loss of sense of smell or taste

You do not need to call NHS 111 to go into self–isolation. If your symptoms worsen during home isolation or are no better after seven days, contact NHS 111 online. If you have no internet access, you should call NHS 111. For a medical emergency dial 999.

Statutory Sick Pay will be paid from day one instead of day four for those affected by the coronavirus.

You can consult the government advice on decontamination for objects and surfaces that have come into contact with someone showing the symptoms of the virus.