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Last reviewed on 15 January

National lockdown: stay at home

A national lockdown began in England on 5 January.

You must not leave, or be outside of your home except where necessary. You may leave the home to:

• shop for basic necessities, for you or a vulnerable person.
• go to work, or provide voluntary or charitable services, if you cannot reasonably do so from home.
• exercise with your household (or support bubble) or one other person, this should be limited to once per day, and you should not travel outside your local area.
• meet your support bubble or childcare bubble where necessary, but only if you are legally permitted to form one.
• seek medical assistance or avoid injury, illness or risk of harm (including domestic abuse).
• attend education or childcare - for those eligible.

Colleges, primary and secondary schools will remain open only for vulnerable children and the children of critical workers. All other children will learn remotely until February half-term. Early Years settings, such as nurseries, remain open.

Read our frequently asked questions and the full guidance on the government website.

If you need help during lockdown, 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, which is open seven days a week, from 10am to 4pm.

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. Please read these frequently asked questions about symptom-free testing.

Other updates

The Director of Public Health for St Helens, Sue Forster, 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.