Coronavirus (Covid-19)
Coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new illness which affects people’s lungs and airways. The virus spreads between people like flu, via respiratory droplets from coughing. The time between exposure and symptom onset is typically five days but may range from two to 14 days. Symptoms are most often fever, cough, and shortness of breath.
This page details the latest, accurate information and advice anyone can follow to help prevent the spread of the virus. It also links to the latest guidance for people, schools, businesses and care settings.
National advice and guidance
The single most important action we can all take, in fighting coronavirus, is to stay at home in order to protect the NHS and save lives. The government introduced new measures on 23 March to help prevent the spread of Covid-19.
- Only go outside for food, health reasons or essential work:
Shopping for basic necessities, for example food and medicine, which must be as infrequent as possible.
One form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk, or cycle – alone or with members of your household.
Any medical need, or to provide care or to help a vulnerable person.
Travelling to and from work, but only where this absolutely cannot be done from home. - Stay 2 metres (6ft) away from other people
- Wash your hands as soon as you get home. The most important thing individuals can do to protect themselves remains washing their hands more often, for at least 20 seconds, with soap and water.
Every person in the UK must comply with these new measures. The relevant authorities, including the police, have been given the powers to enforce them – including through fines and dispersing gatherings.
Read the full guidance on staying at home and away from others at the Government website. Latest advice can be found on the coronavirus page on the NHS website.
Local advice and guidance
North Lincolnshire Council staff are working hard to support residents during the coronavirus pandemic.
Please make use of online guidance first, and, if you don’t find the information or support you need, complete the new coronavirus support form. Only use our contact centre number if you really have to. This will help staff to allocate your request and prioritise supporting our most vulnerable residents.
This form is designed for residents. For business support please visit the Invest in North Lincolnshire website.
Everyone is being urged to stop all non-essential contact with others and stop all unnecessary travel.
British nationals aged 70 and over, and those with underlying health conditions such as chronic diseases and diabetes, have been advised not to travel.
- Guidance for British people travelling and living overseas.
- For the latest travel advice for particular countries, sign up for email alerts to your destination.
Waste from possible cases and cleaning of areas where possible cases have been (including disposable cloths and tissues):
- Should be put in a plastic rubbish bag and tied when full.
- The plastic bag should then be placed in a second bin bag and tied.
- It should be put in a suitable and secure place and marked for storage until the individual’s test results are known.
Waste should be stored safely and kept away from children. You should not put your waste in communal waste areas until negative test results are known or the waste has been stored for at least 72 hours.
- if the individual tests negative, this can be put in with the normal fortnightly waste collection
- if the individual tests positive, then store it for at least 72 hours and put in with the normal fortnightly waste collection
If storage for at least 72 hours is not appropriate, arrange for collection as a Category B infectious waste either by contacting 01724 297000 or customerservice@northlincs.gov.uk. We will supply you with orange clinical waste bags for you to place your bags into so the waste can be sent for appropriate treatment.
National Trading Standards are warning people to remain vigilant following a rise in coronavirus-related scams. Scams identified include doorstep crime, online scams, refund scams, counterfeit goods, telephone scams, donation scams and loan sharks.
Read a letter from Humberside Police containing advice on scams [PDF, 404KB]
Guidance for schools, businesses, health and social care providers and landlords and tenants
On Thursday 19 March the Government shared further advice.
If your work is critical to the COVID-19 response, or you work in one of the critical sectors listed below, and you cannot keep your child safe at home then your children will be prioritised for education.
provision. If you are in doubt, please check with your employer, then inform your school.
- Health and social care
- Education and childcare
- Key public services
- Local and national government
- Food and other necessary goods
- Public safety and national security
- Transport
- Utilities, communication and financial services
On Wednesday 18 March the Government published new advice for schools.
- Schools to close to the vast majority of pupils after the end of the school day on Friday 20 March. Exceptions are children of key workers (including NHS staff) and most vulnerable children.
- Nurseries and private schools should also close
- Exams that were due to take place in May and June are cancelled
- Parents urged not to leave children with older family members
On Tuesday 17 March the Chancellor announced a £350bn support package to help businesses.
Included in these measures are:
- Extending the business rates holiday to all firms in the hospitality sector
- Funding grants of between £10,000 and £25,000 for small businesses
- Mortgage lenders will offer a three-month mortgage holiday
Further guidance is available by clicking the links below:
The Government has published non-statutory guidance for landlords and tenants in the private and social rented sectors on:
- Measures relating to notices seeking possession as amended by the Coronavirus Act 2020
- Court action on possession cases during the coronavirus outbreak
- Property access and health and safety obligations in the context of coronavirus restrictions
Read the guidance for landlords and tenants in full at the Government website.
The government has published guidance for food businesses which may continue to open (such as takeaway services and supermarkets).
This includes information on:
- Maintaining Social Distancing
- Food Hygiene
- Managing Employee Sickness
The full guidance can be found on the Government website.
Additional guidance is also provided by the Chartered Institute of Environmental Health (CIEH).
Your community needs you #DoOneThingNL
North Lincolnshire Council is ensuring the most vulnerable are protected and local businesses, such as shops and pharmacies, together with our good neighbours, are being asked to help.
Willing volunteers are asked to sign up by completing the form below.
If you have a query about council services during this time, please make use of online guidance first and if you don’t find the information or support you need, complete the coronavirus support form. Please only use our contact centre number if you really have to. This will help staff to prioritise supporting our most vulnerable residents and allocate your request.
customerservice@northlincs.gov.uk
01724 297000
Monday to Thursday 9am to 5pm
Friday 9am to 4.30pm