Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Overview
COVID-19 will be a feature of our lives for the foreseeable future, so we need to learn to live with it and manage the risk to ourselves and others.
All of us can play our part by understanding the situations where risks of COVID-19 infection and transmission are likely to be higher and take action to reduce these risks.
Steps you can take to reduce the risk
- Get vaccinated
- Stay at home if you have symptoms or test positive
- Consider wearing a face covering
- Wash your hands regularly
- Cover your mouth if you need to cough or sneeze
- Open the windows to let fresh air in
See:
GOV.UK: Living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19.
Latest data
Visit the government website for data on COVID-19.
For local information, enter your postcode or use the interactive map.
GOV.UK: Coronavirus (COVID-19) data
Other languages
For the latest COVID-19 advice in different languages, visit Doctors of the World: Coronavirus information in different languages.
You can also translate any page on our website into various languages using Google Translate.
Follow us on Facebook
For updates follow South Tyneside Council on Facebook.
Latest news
See the latest coronavirus (COVID-19) news from South Tyneside Council.
Vaccination
The COVID-19 vaccination is the largest vaccine programme in the history of the NHS.
The vaccines have been through the same regulatory approval process as all other medicines used in this country to make sure they meet strict safety standards and offer high levels of protection.
Research has shown the vaccines help:
- reduce your risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19
- reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19
- protect against COVID-19 variants
For information, visit NHS: Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine.
Eligibility
Current eligibility is available at NHS: Who can get the vaccine.
How to get your vaccine
If you are eligible you can:
- book a COVID-19 vaccination appointment online for an appointment at a vaccination centre or pharmacy
- find a walk-in COVID-19 vaccination site to get vaccinated without needing an appointment
- wait to be contacted by a local NHS service such as your GP surgery and book your appointments with them
The vaccine is free of charge on the NHS.
Please be aware of scams. You will not be asked for your bank details or need copies of personal identity documents such as your passport.
Information in other formats
GOV.UK: COVID-19 vaccination: British Sign Language resources
Testing
Coronavirus (COVID-19) tests are no longer free for most people.
Some people can still get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from the NHS.
You can get free NHS tests if you have a health condition which means you're eligible for COVID-19 treatments.
You may also be able to get free NHS tests if:
- you're going into hospital
- you work in healthcare or adult social care
For full details, see who can get a free NHS coronavirus (COVID-19) test.
Most people in England are no longer advised to get tested. Find out:
- what to do if you have COVID-19 symptoms or have tested positive for COVID-19
- what to do if you've been in close contact with someone with COVID-19
- how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19
If you still want to get tested and you're not eligible for a free NHS test, you must pay for a COVID-19 test yourself.
You can buy a COVID-19 test online or in person from pharmacies and retailers.
Support for people
Financial help and crisis support
See benefits and crisis support.
Care, health and wellbeing
- Health and wellbeing support from South Tyneside Council
- Recovering from COVID-19
- Support to stop smoking
- Domestic abuse support
- Mental health support
- How to order repeat prescriptions online (NHS)
- NHS: Volunteer responders
Staying safe
Housing
- Homelessness and rough sleeping (South Tyneside Homes)
- Support and information for South Tyneside Homes tenants
Food and buying groceries
- If you test positive for Covid-19, ask your family, friends or neighbours to pick up shopping for you. You could also order online to get it delivered, see support with food shopping
- If you struggle to make meals or get shopping, there are cafes and companies who will deliver meals to your door
Other support
Businesses
Working safely
For the latest government advice, please visit GOV.UK: Reducing the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, in the workplace.
Get in touch
If you've got a specific COVID-19 health related question, email environmental.healthmailbox@southtyneside.gov.uk.
We will review your query and get back to you as quickly as possible.
Business Support Hub
We also have a dedicated Business Support Hub, who can help provide you with lots of advice and support.
They can be contacted on 0191 481 3456 or by email at business@southtyneside.gov.uk.
For information about support, visit Invest South Tyneside.
Funding and grants for businesses
Since the start of the pandemic South Tyneside Council have administered over £50million of grants to businesses within the funding allocations and guidelines provided by government. This has provided support to many of our local businesses.
The following support grants have now closed for applications:
- Omicron Small Business Hardship Grant
- Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG)
- Shop Front Improvement Grant
- Additional Restrictions Grant
To discuss any support available to your business please contact the Business Support team on 0191 481 3456 or by email at business@southtyneside.gov.uk.
Reporting cases and outbreaks
If you have two or more linked cases in the workplace, email the Public Health team at COVID@southtyneside.gov.uk.
NHS Covid-19 Pass
It is no longer a legal requirement that venues and event organisers request customers show the NHS Covid-19 pass.
Businesses can choose to continue with the NHS COVID Pass on a voluntary basis.
For more information, see NHS: COVID-19 Pass.
Face masks
There is no longer a legal requirement to wear a face covering.
The government suggests that people continue to wear a face covering in crowded and enclosed spaces where they may come into contact with other people they do not normally meet.
See GOV.UK: Living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19
Local Outbreak Plan
South Tyneside Council's Local Outbreak Plan outlines how we intend to prevent and control outbreaks of COVID-19 in South Tyneside.
Coronavirus (COVID-19): Outbreak Management Plan
Further advice and guidance
GOV.UK: Reducing the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, in the workplace
Public Health England: Covid Vaccine Employer Toolkit - this includes posters and materials you can use to promote the vaccine to your staff
Council services
Council services are operating normally.
If you are visiting a Council building, we would encourage you to:
- stay at home if you have COVID-19 symptoms
- wear a face covering (unless exempt)
- follow any signage that is in place
- try not to get close to others
- use hand sanitiser dispensers
Volunteering
Become a COVID Community Champion
Do you live or work in South Tyneside?
Will you help us share important health information and government guidance across South Tyneside?
Volunteer
If you would like to volunteer, Love South Tyneside can support you to be matched to an organisation that can use your skills.
Email: LoveST@southtyneside.gov.uk
Follow Love South Tyneside on Facebook
South Tyneside is joining together as a community.
Follow Love South Tyneside on Facebook for updates on:
- health and wellbeing
- self-isolation
- support from voluntary and community groups
NHS Volunteer Responders
For information about the government NHS Volunteer Responders scheme visit GoodSAM: NHS Volunteer Responders.