What is the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE)?

The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies (SAGE) provides scientific and technical advice to support government decision makers during emergencies.

What is the UK regulatory agency for monitoring COVID-19?

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency is responsible for protecting and improving the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe.

What is an enduring transmission area in the context of COVID-19?

Enduring transmission Areas experiencing enduring transmission are those parts of the country where the case rate has remained above the national or regional average for a prolonged period.

How long will the UK coronavirus bill last?

The legislation will be time-limited – for 2 years – and not all of these measures will come into force immediately. The bill allows the 4 UK governments to switch on these new powers when they are needed, and, crucially, to switch them off again once they are no longer necessary, based on the advice of Chief Medical Officers of the 4 nations.

The measures in the coronavirus bill are temporary, proportionate to the threat we face, will only be used when strictly necessary and be in place for as long as required to respond to the situation.

What is the government's autumn and winter plan for COVID-19?

In September 2021 the Government published its 'COVID-19 Response: Autumn and Winter Plan', setting out a comprehensive plan for managing the virus over the colder months. Plan A for England relied on booster vaccinations, testing and isolation, guidance on safer behaviours and measures at the border.

The publication also outlined a Plan B which could be deployed later in the winter if the situation deteriorated. The measures in Plan B – mandatory face coverings, working from home guidance and COVID-19 certification – were designed to reduce transmission while minimising economic and social impacts.

32 related questions found

What plan is the UK Prime Minister setting out during the autumn for the COVID-19 pandemic?

Boosters, testing and refreshed public health advice will help keep the virus under control in the coming months
Plan B prepared to protect NHS if necessary
PM continues to warn the pandemic is not over and public need to remain vigilant

Do you need to wash food packaging?

If you have been shopping, there should be no need to sanitise the outer packaging of food. This is because food businesses are required to have a system for managing food safety in place, which should include keeping packaging clean.

You should still follow good hygiene practice by washing your hands after handling any outer packaging.

Can I go abroad if I don't have the COVID-19 vaccine?

If you have not been fully vaccinated, you should continue to follow the entry requirements of the country you are travelling to, such as proof of a negative COVID-19 test on arrival. You should carefully research the requirements of your destination country before travelling.

Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the booster vaccine?

Can you still catch COVID-19 after having the vaccine? The COVID-19 vaccination will reduce the chance of you suffering from COVID-19. It may take a few days for your body to build up some protection from the booster.

How long after having COVID-19 can I get the spring booster vaccine?

If you are unwell, wait until you have recovered to have your vaccine. If you have had confirmed COVID-19 you should ideally wait 4 weeks before having your spring booster.

What are the possible modes of transmission of COVID-19?

Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 can occur through direct, indirect, or close contact with infected people through infected secretions such as saliva and respiratory secretions or their respiratory droplets, which are expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, talks or sings.

What are some of the ways by which COVID-19 is transmitted?

COVID-19 transmits when people breathe in air contaminated by droplets and small airborne particles. The risk of breathing these in is highest when people are in close proximity, but they can be inhaled over longer distances, particularly indoors.

What are some ways by which COVID-19 can spread?

The virus can spread from an infected person's mouth or nose in small liquid particles when they cough, sneeze, speak, sing or breathe. These particles range from larger respiratory droplets to smaller aerosols.

Which company designed the NHS COVID-19 app to protect the privacy and identity of the users?

This system is designed by Apple and Google to protect the privacy and identity of app users, making their use of the app anonymous.

What is the COVID-19 Law Lab?

The COVID-19 Law Lab is a database of laws that countries have implemented in response to the pandemic. It includes state of emergency declarations, quarantine measures, disease surveillance, legal measures relating to mask-wearing, social distancing, and access to medication and vaccines.

Which organisations process personal data from NHS COVID-19 app?

The ones that will be processing personal data are:

•Amazon Web Services (AWS) which hosts the central system (cloud server) that supports the app
•The Health Informatics Service (THIS), which is hosted by the Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust. THIS provides the ‘NPEx’ system which provides test results to the app (using the test code unique to the app)
These organisations can only work under instruction from DHSC and cannot use information they process for any other purposes

Can I develop immunity to COVID-19 after testing positive for PCR?

If you have previously tested positive for COVID-19, you will probably have developed some immunity to the disease. However, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will develop immunity, or how long it will last. It is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time after COVID-19 infection.

Can I get COVID-19 or other infections even if I am vaccinated?

Vaccinations are very effective at preventing serious illness from COVID-19, however even if you are vaccinated there is a chance you might catch COVID-19 or another respiratory infection and pass it on to other people.

Does the COVID NHS pass show a COVID-19 booster?

COVID-19 booster vaccinations. You should get your COVID-19 booster as soon as you are eligible, but you do not need a COVID-19 booster vaccination to get an NHS COVID Pass for domestic use. If you've received a booster vaccination it will show in your NHS COVID Pass for travel within 5 days.

Is the NHS Covid pass available for overseas COVID-19 vaccinations?

Getting your NHS COVID Pass. Eligible overseas vaccinations will display within your NHS COVID Pass in the same way as vaccines administered under the UK vaccination programme. However, you may see some fields left blank for overseas vaccines. Non-eligible overseas vaccinations will not generate an NHS COVID Pass.

How to get proof of COVID-19 vaccination for international travel UK?

If you require non-digital proof of your booster vaccination for international travel, you can order an NHS COVID Pass letter via the NHS 119 service or via NHS.UK. Your letter will show a 2D barcode for each vaccination you've received, including your booster vaccination.

Do I need a negative COVID-19 test to travel?

Pre-departure travel tests ('fit to fly') You may need proof of a negative COVID-19 test before travelling abroad. Providers often call these fit to fly tests. The testing requirements are set by the country you want to travel to, and sometimes the airline you're flying with.

Private providers offering these tests must meet the government's minimum standards for general population testing services in order to legally provide the services. We do not currently host a separate list for 'fit to fly'.

Can you get the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) from packaging?

The risk of imported food and packaging from affected countries being contaminated with coronavirus is very unlikely. This is because the law requires the exporter to follow the right controls during the packing and shipping process to ensure good hygiene is met.

What can I do to prevent COVID-19 during grocery shopping?

• Clean your hands with sanitizer before entering the store.
• Cover a cough or sneeze in your bent elbow or tissue.
• Maintain at least a 1-metre distance from others, and if you can’t maintain this distance, wear a
mask (many stores now require a mask).
• Once home, wash your hands thoroughly and also after handling and storing your purchased
products.

Can the coronavirus disease spread through food?

It is very unlikely that COVID-19 is transmitted through food. However, as a matter of good hygiene practice, anyone handling food should wash their hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before doing so. Crockery and eating utensils should not be shared. Clean frequently touched surfaces regularly.