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Last reviewed on 14 June

Roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions

The government is easing COVID-19 restrictions in four stages. On it 14 June it announced a four-week pause at Step 3, meaning the current restrictions remain in place:

• People can meet in groups of up to 30 outdoors.
• Six people or two households can meet indoors.
• Up to 30 people can meet to celebrate weddings or other life events, like christenings.
• Remaining outdoor entertainment, such as outdoor theatres and cinemas, can open.
• Indoor entertainment such as museums, cinemas and children's play areas can open.
• Hotels, hostels and B&Bs can reopen to household groups.
• Performances and large events can resume, with some limits on capacity.
• International travel can resume under specific conditions.
• Adult indoor group sports and exercise classes can start up again.

However, some restrictions will change on 21 June. There will be changes to the rules on:

• weddings and civil partnership ceremonies and wedding receptions or civil partnership celebrations
• commemorative events following a death such as a wake, stone setting or ash scattering
• large events pilots
• care home visits
• domestic residential visits for children

Read the full guidance at gov.uk/coronavirus

It is expected we will move to Step 4 on 19 July, though the data will be reviewed after two weeks in case the risks have reduced. The government will continue to monitor the data and the move to Step 4 will be confirmed one week in advance.

Step 4

• All legal limits on social contact removed.
• No legal limits on the number of people who can attend weddings, funerals and other life events.
• Nightclubs and theatres allowed to reopen.

Guidance for the most vulnerable

Shielding advice for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable (CEV) came to an end on 1 April. CEV residents are no longer advised to shield but must continue to follow the rules in place for everyone under the current national restrictions. Read the full government guidance.

If you need help during the pandemic, or can volunteer to help, please contact St Helens Together on 01744 676767.

What do I do if I show symptoms?

If you are experiencing symptoms of COVID-19, you should stay at home and begin to self-isolate for 10 days from when your symptoms start. You should arrange a test as soon as possible: ask for a coronavirus test online or call 119.

Symptoms include:

• A high temperature (37.8 degrees and above)
• A new, continuous cough
• A loss or change to your sense of smell or taste.

You can opt for a home test kit or to book an appointment at the Haydock Park Racecourse regional testing centre or the local testing station at Fairclough Street Car Park, Earlestown, which are open seven days a week from 8am to 1:30pm.

Mobile testing units are used for short periods on varying dates within the borough, which we will publicise in advance.

If your test result is positive, you must self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days. Your household and your support bubble must self-isolate for 10 days. Anyone who develops symptoms in this time must arrange to take a test.

Following a positive test result, you will be contacted by the NHS test and trace service, who will ask you for information about who you have seen in the past 14 days.

If you do not have symptoms, you can walk in to one of our community testing centres for a free, quick test, with results available in as little as 30 minutes, or collect a test kit to take home – subject to availability. Please read these frequently asked questions about symptom-free testing.

Other updates

The Director of Public Health for St Helens writes or records a regular blog featuring coronavirus updates and messages for residents.

Please read our COVID-19 response privacy policy, which explains how we will collect, use and protect personal data specifically with regard to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Face coverings are required by law to be worn in public indoor settings. Here's everything you need to know about face coverings, including how to make your own.