Latest news, advice and guidance

This page is updated with the latest news and guidance during the COVID-19 pandemic including information about self-isolation and using parks and green spaces, and links to the latest advice for the public.

We are sending regular updates about what the council is doing and how to stay safe during these challenging times. Keep up-to-date by signing up to receive these to your inbox, and read previous updates. The latest advice and guidance for the public will also be added to this page.

28th May 2020

A mobile COVID-19 testing unit (MTU) will return to Kingston on Saturday 30 and Sunday 31 May.

You should only visit the MTU if you have a confirmed test appointment. Please drive to the testing site wherever possible. The MTU will be in the Cattle Market car park in Kingston town centre.

20th May 2020

Anyone over 5 years old with symptoms now eligible for COVID-19 testing

The government has announced this week that anyone over 5 years old displaying symptoms of COVID-19 can now be tested. New information about symptoms of the virus has also been released. Symptoms now include a new continuous cough or fever or anosmia. Anosmia is the loss of, or a change in your normal sense of smell or taste.

If you get any of these symptoms, you and your household should follow government guidelines on self-isolation. If you want to be tested, you should book a test as soon as possible.

You can visit the NHS website to book a test appointment. Essential workers can also apply for a test on the GOV.UK website. There are local drive through testing centres in Chessington and at Gatwick Airport.

18 May 2020

A message from the Leader of Kingston Council - The NHS is here for you

Government issues new lockdown rules

The Government has issued new lockdown guidance to prevent the spread of COVID-19. The new rules come into effect today, Wednesday 13 May. The lockdown is not over and everyone should continue to:

stay at home as much as possible
do not leave home if you have symptoms of COVID-19
work from home if you can
follow social distancing guidelines and keep 2 metres apart from others if you go out
limit contact with people not in your household
avoid public transport wherever possible
wash your hands regularly

Updated rules on spending time outdoors
New Government guidance on spending time outdoors means you can now leave your home more than once a day and spend more time outdoors, as long as you stay 2 metres apart from anyone who is not in your household.

Parks and outdoor spaces across the borough are open, but playgrounds and outdoor gyms remain closed in line with Government rules.

Updated rules on meeting people
You are now allowed to meet up with one person who is not in your household outside, as long as you keep 2 metres apart from them.

Dos and don’ts
The Government has produced a list of FAQs to help explain what you can and cannot do.

Shielding
People who have been identified as clinically extremely vulnerable should continue to follow the Government guidelines on shielding.

Meanwhile, Kingston Council staff have said a huge thank you to the borough's residents for their resilience, patience and cooperation during this time. You can watch the video below.

Advice for the public

Social distancing

Why fighting the coronavirus depends on you:

NHS mental health advice

The NHS’s Every Mind Matters campaign has now released expert advice on how best to look after mental wellbeing while staying at home during the coronavirus outbreak. The advice contains practical steps a person can take and includes videos, tutorials and links to other useful resources.

Please regularly check the links below for the latest NHS and government advice and make sure that you follow the guidance to protect yourself and others:

Other useful advice:

Advice and information about symptoms

Regularly check national advice and guidance from the NHS and the Government - these are changing daily so make sure you have the latest information:

Self-isolating advice

If you are self-isolating, you can find more help, advice and support on our staying healthy and connected page and from our partners across Kingston at Connected Kingston. Services across the borough are adapting to support residents with their physical and mental health at this time. This site will continue to be updated so do check back.

Letters are being sent telling 1.5 million people in England most at risk of coronavirus to stay at home. They will receive letters or text messages strongly advising them not to go out for 12 weeks to protect themselves.

Visit www.nhs.uk/coronavirus for more.

Using parks and green spaces

If you are visiting one of our open spaces for your daily exercise, you must follow the Government guidelines:

Do not visit a park if you have any symptoms – fever, coughs, shortness of breath.
If you have a garden, make use of the space for exercise and fresh air.
Stay local and use open spaces near to your home where possible – do not travel unnecessarily.
You should only go outside alone or with members of your own household. Gatherings of more than two in parks or other public spaces have been banned and the police will enforce this.
Do not use parks for picnics, bonfires or sunbathing.
Keep moving and spread out when you are in parks or green spaces
Observe social distancing, staying at least 2 metres apart from other people
If the park is crowded do not enter if you cannot safely observe social distancing.
Use all areas of the park that remain open so you can maintain an appropriate distance from others.

Further guidance from the Mayor of London.

Advice for professionals

Please check the above links regularly as advice is updated and new guidance added.

COVID-19 (Coronavirus)