Guidance for the social care sector on Covid-19

There is a listing of government guidance at: Coronavirus (COVID-19). 

There are currently no COVID-19 restrictions in the UK.
 

COVID-19 symptoms and what to do if you have them

There is NHS advice on how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19 and what to do if you are at greater risk from the virus at:

How to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19 - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

There is information on COVID-19 symptoms and what to do if you have symptoms at: COVID-19 symptoms and what to do - NHS (www.nhs.uk).

Government advice is if you have COVID-19 you should try to stay at home.

You can use this online tool from the NHS to find out what to do if you, or somebody else, has a medical problem: NHS 111 Online - Get medical help.

The NHS offers treatment to people with COVID-19 who are at the highest risk of becoming seriously ill: Treatments for COVID-19 - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

There is guidance for/on:

• People with symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19
• COVID-19: guidance for people whose immune system means they are at higher risk.  

There is also advice on Pregnancy and COVID-19 - NHS (www.nhs.uk).
 

Wearing a facemask

Living safely with respiratory infections including COVID-19 includes advice on when to consider wearing a face covering or a face mask.

People visiting healthcare settings may be asked to wear a mask or face covering following a local risk assessment, unless exempt, for which evidence should be provided: Coronavirus » Living with COVID-19: Visiting healthcare inpatient settings principles (england.nhs.uk). 

Visitors, parents, guardians, siblings will be asked to wear a surgical facemask if visiting a high-risk area in a healthcare setting or a patient with suspected/known COVID-19.
 

Testing

NHS COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests are no longer free for most people. You can buy tests in shops but you cannot report the result of those tests to the NHS.

You may still be able to get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from the NHS if you:

• have a health condition which means you're eligible for COVID-19 treatment.
• work in healthcare or in a hospice

Vaccination

The NHS National Booking System opened on 1 September 2025 for all eligible individuals in England to book their winter flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, with appointments available from 1 October 2025.

More information from: get vaccinated against COVID-19 by the NHS.

Autumn 2025 COVID-19 vaccination programme 

On 13 November 2024, the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) published advice on the COVID-19 vaccination programme for spring 2025, autumn 2025 and spring 2026.  

The Government has accepted this advice, which means it is only offering COVID-19 vaccines to people most vulnerable to COVID-19. From Autumn 2025, frontline health and social careworkers and staff working in care homes for older adults are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccination under the national programme.  

From Autumn 2025, only the following people meet eligibility requirements: 

• Adults aged 75 years and over. 
• Residents in a care home for older adults. 
• Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Green Book on immunisation against infectious disease. 

Learn more here.  

Long COVID

There is information about the long-term effects of COVID-19 at:

Long-term effects of COVID-19 (long COVID) – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Find help and support if you have long COVID - GOV.UK

RESOURCES | Long Covid SOS
 

Travel advice

Government advice is if you have COVID-19 you should try to stay at home.

Most people cannot get free COVID-19 tests. You can buy tests in shops but you cannot report the result to the NHS.

You can get vaccinated against COVID-19 by the NHS.

You do not need to take a test or quarantine when you arrive in the UK: COVID-19: guidance and support - GOV.UK

You should check travel advice for any country you are travelling to.
 

Government policy background and COVID-19 App

The Government in England implemented a COVID-19 Response – Living with COVID-19 Plan in February 2022, replacing previous regulations with public health measures and guidance.

The NHS COVID-19 app was part of the NHS Test and Trace service in England and the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect programme. It closed on 27 April 2023.
 

Vaccination

The NHS National Booking System opened on 1 September 2025 for all eligible individuals in England to book their winter flu and COVID-19 vaccinations, with appointments available from 1 October 2025. More information from: get vaccinated against COVID-19 by the NHS.

As explained above, for spring 2025, autumn 2025 and spring 2026, the Government has accepted JCVI advice to only offer COVID-19 vaccines to people most vulnerable to COVID-19. From Autumn 2025, frontline health and social careworkers and staff working in care homes for older adults are not eligible for COVID-19 vaccination under the national programme.  Only the following people meet eligibility requirements: 

• Adults aged 75 years and over. 
• Residents in a care home for older adults. 
• Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed, as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) Green Book on immunisation against infectious disease. 

Learn more here. 

The Homecare Association's information on eligibility for vaccination is at: Encouraging vaccination take-up (homecareassociation.org.uk).
 

Control of infection and PPE

The free PPE offer has closed and, from1 April 2024, providers need to purchase their own PPE.

Current guidance on PPE usage (both in acute respiratory infection contexts, and more broadly) can be found as follows:

• Infection prevention and control in adult social care: acute respiratory infection - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• PPE requirements (publishing.service.gov.uk)
• Infection prevention and control in adult social care settings - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
• Health and Social Care Act 2008: code of practice on the prevention and control of infections - GOV.UK

The NICE - COVID-19 rapid guideline NG 191 - Managing COVID-19 which covers the management of COVID-19 for babies, children, young people and adults in all care settings remains in place. See also guidance on managing COVID symptoms in the section on advice for the general public above.

Testing

There is now no routine or symptomatic staff testing in place. People who homecare providers support (or staff) may still need to test if they are eligible for COVID-19 treatments, such as antivirals - NHS information is available on who is eligible (N.B. eligibility changes from 1 April 2024). Testing might also be required if advised to by a Local Health Protection Team. Further information about testing is available here: COVID-19: testing from 1 April 2024 - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

Bereavement

There are Bereavement resources for the social care workforce, aimed at social care workers and managers affected by loss during, of following, the pandemic.

Care home visiting

Guidance was issued April 2024 on Supporting safer visiting in care homes during infectious illness outbreaks - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk).

Working safely and risk assessment

There is guidance on reducing the risk of infection in the workplace at:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Advice for workplaces (hse.gov.uk)

For more about risk assessment, search for 'risk assessment' in the Homecare Association Content Library (Members only).

Further guidance:

Reducing the spread of respiratory infections, including COVID-19, in the workplace

COVID-19: ventilation of indoor spaces to stop the spread of coronavirus

Time off for sickness | Acas

Health protection in children and young people settings, including education - GOV.UK.

The Homecare Association's information on eligibility for vaccination is at: Encouraging vaccination take-up (homecareassociation.org.uk).

This has information about COVID-19 vaccination, flu vaccination and RSV vaccination. 

Health and social care staff are no longer eligible for Covid-19 vaccination boosters, unless they are in an individual capacity, for example, if they are immunosuppressed.

The COVID-19 supplement to the infection prevention and control resource for adult social care includes current guidance on vaccination, personal protective equipment (PPE), and testing aimed at professional care staff but sections will be of interest to family carers.

Here is a selection of guidance and advice for family carers:

COVID-19 guide | Carers UK

Looking after family or friends after they leave hospital.

Alzheimer's Society, Coronavirus support for people affected by dementia.

Diabetes UK, Coronavirus (COVID-19) and diabetes updates

Home - ICUsteps - information on coming to terms with surviving critical illness.

The NHS and Social Care Coronavirus Life Assurance Scheme provided a lump sum for eligible families of members of the workforce who passed away due to contracting COVID-19 at work. In England, the scheme was extended until 30 September 2023, as was the scheme for Wales.

The Homecare Association's information on maintaining mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic has been consolidated into a new, general resource for members Resources to support staff mental well-being.

Information on Long Covid

There is a range of information on supporting workers with Long Covid, its symptoms and long term effects:

Find help and support if you have long COVID

Long-term effects of COVID-19 (long COVID) - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

NICE rapid guideline on managing the long term effects of Covid

There is treatment for loss of sense of smell or taste: Lost or changed sense smell - NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Information on surviving a critical illness, ICUsteps.

Long Covid: the symptoms and tips for recovery | BHF

What is long COVID? | Asthma + Lung UK (blf.org.uk)

NHS England » Guidelines for supporting our NHS people affected by Long COVID

Sickness, absence and return to work

There is advice and information at:

Time off for sickness | Acas

Long Covid - how can it best managed by employers?, Anna Dabek (anthonycollins.com)

CIPD - Managing a return to work after a long absence

Long Covid: symptoms, tests and treatment - BHF

Whether long covid is a disability - Long covid - Acas

Employment tribunal classes long COVID as a disability | Article | News | UNISON National

Tribunal rules Long-Covid is a disability: EMPLOYMENT TRIBUNALS (SCOTLAND) (publishing.service.gov.uk)

Coronavirus: Long covid - House of Commons Library.

Homecare Association members are entitled to a limited amount of free HR advice as part of their membership - call the Member Helpline on 020 8661 8188, option 4, for details.

The following message was circulated to providers via Care Inspectorate Wales:

"Welsh Government has funded the provision of free PPE for onward distribution to the social care sector since March 2020 to ensure the protection of our valued workforce and the people they care for.

As you will be aware, from 1 April 2024 these arrangements will end, and the procurement of PPE will return to pre-pandemic arrangements. This means social care providers will obtain their PPE from the private sector.

It is critical that social care services continue to adhere to the latest infection prevention and control guidance. This continued support will help the sector manage the challenges that all infections and increased infection rates place upon our communities.

There are a range of resources available to support infection prevention and control in social care settings:

• Current guidance from Welsh Government regarding the correct use of PPE within social care settings which is summarised in the Social care guide to controlling acute respiratory infections from winter 2023 to 2024.
• A range of IPC digital learning resources are available on the Social Care Wales website.
• Bilingual editions of the IP&C Workbooks - Public Health Wales
• Launch video and “how to use” the Workbooks.
• National Infection Prevention and Control Manual (NIPCM, Wales).
• Link to e-learning resources around Health Protection and Infection Control in the Social Care sector Health Protection E-Learning for Social Care Staff - Public Health Wales.

If you have any questions or concerns you can contact us via the Social Care Coordination mailbox: [email protected]"

Routine testing of staff is no longer in operation.

The vaccination programme for Autumn 2025 will be offered to adults aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed UK Health Security AgencyGOV.UK. Health and social care workers are no longer routinely eligible.

More about the programme will be added once the details are known.

Guidance for the public

There are no COVID-19 rules or restrictions in Scotland. We are now living with COVID-19 as one of a number of respiratory infections: Coronavirus (COVID-19) in Scotland - gov.scot.

If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection including COVID-19, try to stay at home and avoid contact with others – if you do need to go out, wear a well-fitting face covering. More from: Main collection of guidance from Scottish Government.

Facemask guidance update - gov.scot, May 2023 - this update marked the return to pre-pandemic advice, based on clinical need based on infection prevention and control advice, meaning staff, patients, service users and visitors will not be routinely asked to wear facemasks in health and social care settings.
 

Health protection and infection control guidance

The COVID-19 guidance from NHS Scotland and the Scottish Government is at:

COVID-19 health protection guidance - COVID-19 - Conditions and diseases - Our areas of work - Public Health Scotland

National Infection Prevention and Control Manual: Home

Overview - Guidance for the public health management of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in community, social and residential care settings - version 1 - Guidance for the public health management of acute respiratory infections (ARI) in community, social and residential care settings - Publications - Public Health Scotland.
 

Testing

Most people can no longer get free covid tests. You can still access tests if you have a health condition which means you’re eligible for coronavirus treatments.

More from: Coronavirus (COVID-19): Treatments | NHS inform.

Those eligible to be assessed for treatment if all of the following apply:

• you’re aged 12 or over
• you have symptoms of coronavirus that started in the last 5 days that aren’t getting better
• you’re at higher risk of getting seriously ill from coronavirus
• you’ve tested positive for coronavirus

The guidance states this list is a summary and does not cover everything. If you think you are eligible but aren’t sure, speak to your doctor or specialist who will advise.

• Winter 2025 programme details are now available: The flu and coronavirus vaccines are being offered from September 2025 Winter vaccines | NHS inform.
   
• Eligibility has been narrowed: For autumn 2025, COVID-19 vaccination will be offered to adults aged 75 years and over, residents in care homes for older adults, and individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed UK Health Security AgencyGOV.UK.
   
• Health and social care workers are no longer routinely eligible: Frontline health and social care workers (HSCWs) and staff working in care homes for older adults will not be eligible for COVID-19 vaccination under the national programme for autumn 2025. Advice accepted on autumn 2025 COVID-19 vaccination programme - GOV.UK, though Scotland has chosen to continue offering it as an occupational health programme.

Further updates will be included when there are more details of the winter vaccination programme in Scotland.

Eligible groups - COVID-19 vaccine information and resources - COVID-19 vaccinations - COVID-19 - Conditions and diseases - Our areas of work - Public Health Scotland

Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccines you're eligible for | NHS inform

Winter vaccines | NHS inform

The coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine (nhsinform.scot)

Support for businesses

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance (main collection of guidance for business, healthcare, education and housing).

Information about advice for businesses 


Travel

Coronavirus (COVID-19): international travel

Government guidance for the public

Guidance and support on getting vaccinated, travel advice and staying safe.

COVID-19: Information for the public | HSC Public Health Agency

COVID-19 (coronavirus) | HSC Public Health Agency (hscni.net)

Government guidance for health and social care professionals

The COVID-19 Guidance for Domiciliary Care Providers in Northern Ireland was withdrawn from 10 July 2023. This follows the updated Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidance issued by PHA, which recommended a return to the application of standard and transmission-based precautions when dealing with respiratory illnesses - effectively a return to “business as usual” status.

PHA IPC guidance for Respiratory Illnesses 03.03.23.pdf

NI Infection Control Manual

COVID-19 Vaccination Eligibility in Northern Ireland (Autumn/Winter 2025/26)

The eligibility criteria are the same across all four nations of the UK (England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland). The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has given the same advice for autumn/winter 2025/26 as it did for the spring 2025 programme.

The following groups are eligible for COVID-19 vaccination in the autumn/winter 2025/26 programme:

1. Adults aged 75 years and over 

2. Residents in care homes for older adults 

3. Individuals aged 6 months and over who are immunosuppressed - as defined in tables 3 and 4 of the COVID-19 chapter of the Green Book, the UK Health Security Agency's information on immunisation against infectious disease.

Who’s eligible for the 2025 COVID-19 vaccine, or ‘Autumn Booster’? – UK Health Security Agency

The vaccine should usually be offered no earlier than around 6 months after the last vaccine dose. If you are eligible, you can get protection from an autumn COVID-19 vaccination even if you have not taken up a COVID-19 vaccine offer in the past.

For the most up-to-date information and to book your appointment, check the Northern Ireland Direct website or contact your GP practice.