COVID-19 in Lewisham - 5 August update
After your holidays
If you’re heading overseas, as tempting as it is to forget about everything for a week or two, it is important to keep an eye on what it might mean for you when you come back. Everyone will need to get a COVID-19 PCR test and you might still need to self-isolate or quarantine when you return.
You can test (not self-isolate) only if…
- You’re arriving from a green list country.
- You’ve had both vaccinations and you’re arriving from an amber list country (excluding France).
- If you are under 18. You’ll still need to take a COVID-19 PCR test on your return and this includes children aged 4 or over.
Everyone (excluding children aged four or under) should take a COVID-19 PCR test shortly after you get back to the UK (on your second day back). Please pay attention to the results of your PCR test. If you’re positive, you will have to stay at home (self-isolate) for ten days.
You’ll still need to self-isolate if…
- You are 18 or over and you haven’t been vaccinated and you’re returning from an amber or red list country (including France).
- You are 18 or over and you haven’t had your second vaccine dose and you’re returning from an amber or red list country.
- You’ve returning from a red list country (which should only be visited in exceptional circumstances). You’ll need to book and stay in a Government-approved quarantine hotel in this instance.
- You develop COVID-19 symptoms.
If you need to self-isolate, it is really important you stay at home for the full ten days. This means not going out to work, school or public places; not using public transport; not leaving your home and not having any visitors to your home. You will need to make arrangements for food and medicine to be delivered to your home. You will not be able to leave your home to take children to nursery, childcare or summer holiday activities so you may need to plan ahead.
Prove your vaccination status
To avoid self-isolation after returning to the UK, you will be asked for proof of your COVID-19 status. You can use the NHS COVID Pass (available on the NHS app) or get a NHS COVID Pass letter.
You will usually be able to get the NHS COVID Pass within 24 hours of having your vaccination although it can take up to five days for your records to be updated. To get a digital version of the NHS COVID Pass, download the NHS App (you must be registered with a GP) or use the online NHS COVID Pass service. You’ll need to create an NHS log-in to use these services, if you don’t have one already. If you download your COVID Pass as a PDF remember to check the expiry date as the barcode will be valid for 30 days (you can log in again to refresh your pass).
To get a NHS COVID Pass letter (sometimes known as a COVID-19 post vaccination letter) sent to you in the post, you can request a letter online or call 119. Don’t call 119 if you’re travelling in more than four weeks’ time.
Get the jab
There are plenty of places to choose from to get your COVID-19 vaccination in Lewisham. No need to book, just walk up to one of the vaccine clinics at GP surgeries and pharmacies. Look out for Lewisham’s vaccine bus which will be outside Lewisham Shopping Centre today and at Giffin Square, Deptford on Saturday. Second doses are available if it’s been eight weeks since your first dose.
Everyone aged 18 and over can now get the vaccination. You can book an appointment atwww.nhs.uk/covid-vaccination or by calling 119, free of charge.