Middlesbrough is classed as a High alert level area under the government's new three-tier system. Tighter restrictions remain in place in Middlesbrough.
Meeting people
The following laws apply to everyone in Middlesbrough:
- You must not meet people who are not in your household, in private homes.
- You must not meet people who are not in your household, anywhere indoors - for example, in pubs, restaurants, or bars.
- You must not arrange to go to another town to meet up with people from another household in Middlesbrough - for example, going to a restaurant in Stockton to meet up with friends from Middlesbrough.
- You must not meet up with people who live in another town, either in private homes, or anywhere indoors - for example, in pubs, restaurants, or bars.
We use ‘household’ to mean either people you live with, or people you’ve formed a ‘support bubble’ with.
Although you'll be able to meet up outdoors with people who are not part of your household, we are still strongly advising that you do not. If you do, you're legally required to follow the ‘rule of 6’. This means you must meet in groups of 6 people or less, and children are included in the total of 6. You must follow social distancing rules and stay 2m apart. The more often you meet people, the higher your risk of catching coronavirus, so you should try to limit the number of different people you meet up with.
If people outside of your household help you with childcare, guidance is available on the government website.
Travel
We strongly advise that you only travel for essential reasons, for example:
- to get food and/or medical supplies
- to go to work
- for medical reasons, like attending a doctor’s appointment
- to visit a voluntary, charity, or youth service
You must legally wear a face covering on public transport (unless exempt).
What do I do?
We are all responsible for stopping the spread of coronavirus. It is essential that we follow these rules to keep ourselves, our loved ones, and everyone in Middlesbrough safe.
If you have symptoms, you must book a test as soon as possible. If you have symptoms, you must stay at home until you get your test, and then stay at home until you get your results. You should not leave your home for any reason, except to get a test. You should not go to school or work, or leave the house to buy food or exercise.
If your test is positive (meaning you do have coronavirus), you must self-isolate for a full 10 days from the day your symptoms started. If your test is negative (meaning you do not have coronavirus), you do not have to self-isolate once you get your results.
You can find out everything you need to know about self-isolation on the government website.
Please do not book a test if you do not have symptoms. You may be stopping someone with symptoms from being able to get the test they need.
Self-isolation
If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have received a positive test result
Stay at home and begin to self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms start. Arrange to have a test for COVID-19 if you have not already had one. The result of the test will determine how long you must stay at home and self-isolate.
Stay at home while you are waiting for a home test kit or a test site appointment.
A positive test result means you must complete a 10-day isolation period.
If your test is negative, you can stop self-isolating as long as you are well.
If you do not have symptoms but have tested positive for COVID-19, stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days from the day the test was taken. If you develop symptoms after your test, restart your 10-day isolation period from the day the symptoms start.
Stay as far away from other members of your household as possible, especially if they are clinically extremely vulnerable. Avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat.
You could be fined if you do not stay at home and self-isolate following a positive test result for COVID-19 and you are notified by NHS Test and Trace that you need to self-isolate.
If you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19
Stay at home for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day the first person in your house developed symptoms or, if they do not have symptoms, from the day their test was taken.
If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19 yourself you do not need a test. Only arrange a test if you develop COVID-19 symptoms.
If you develop symptoms and your test result is positive, follow the same advice for people with COVID-19 to stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started, regardless of where you are in your 14-day period.
You could be fined if you are identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 and you are notified by NHS Test and Trace that you need to self-isolate and do not to stay at home and self-isolate.
If you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19
Stay at home for 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day the first person in your house developed symptoms or, if they do not have symptoms, from the day their test was taken.
If you do not have symptoms of COVID-19 yourself you do not need a test. Only arrange a test if you develop COVID-19 symptoms.
If you develop symptoms and your test result is positive, follow the same advice for people with COVID-19 to stay at home and self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms started, regardless of where you are in your 14-day period.
You could be fined if you are identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19 and you are notified by NHS Test and Trace that you need to self-isolate and do not to stay at home and self-isolate.