Coronavirus

Posted on: 13/12/2021

Last update: 13^th December 2021

England is moving to Plan B in response to the risks of the Omicron variant. This means that new COVID rules are being introduced in England.

What rules are being introduced?

Face coverings are mandatory for most indoor public venues including places of worship, theatres and cinemas - as well as on public transport and in places like shops and hairdressers.

From 13^th December, you should work from home if you can.

From 15^th December, you’ll need to show your NHS COVID Pass at nightclubs, some venues and large events to show you’re fully vaccinated, or have had a negative test result in the last 48 hours, or you have an exemption.

Booster vaccines

All adults over 18 will be offered a booster dose. Vaccines will also be offered to those most at risk from Covid-19, including:

people 16 and over who have a health condition that puts them at high risk from COVID-19
people 16 and over who are a main carer for someone at high risk from COVID-19 or who live with someone who is more likely to get infections
frontline health and social care workers

When will I get a booster vaccine?

People aged 30 and over, health and social care workers and those with a health condition that puts them at high risk are now able to book their booster jab. Those aged 18 to 30 will be invited to book soon.

The booster programme is being sped up due to concerns over the Omicron variant. In England and Scotland all adults over 18 should be offered a booster vaccine by the end of the year.

What are the new rules on self-isolation?

If you’re a contact of someone who may have been infected with the Omicron variant, you must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of your age, vaccination status or any negative test results.

The latest information about restrictions can be found here:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance and support - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What does this mean for you as Progress Lifeline service user?

All Progress Lifeline Services will continue as normal. We will carry on working strictly within government guidelines. The health and safety of our colleagues and our customers always being our top priority.

Our responders will attend when required, dressed in the advised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The alarm response centre is also operating 24/7. If you need us, we are here.

We have effective, carefully thought through working procedures for all parts of our organisation. We will also listen to any feedback that you give us, and make sure that we act quickly where necessary.

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Last update: 19^th July 2021

England will move to the final stage of easing Covid restrictions on 19 July, ministers have confirmed.

It means almost all legal restrictions on social contact will be removed.

Why are restrictions in England being eased?

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the government's "four tests" had been met:

Success of the vaccination rollout
Evidence vaccinations are reducing hospitalisations and deaths
Infection rates not risking unsustainable pressure on the NHS
Risks not fundamentally changed by new variants

Mr Javid said summer, and the start of the school holidays, gave the best opportunity for England to proceed.

A review will take place in September to assess how prepared the country is for autumn and winter.

What will change in England on 19 July?

Social distancing

No limits on how many people can meet
1m-plus rule removed (except in some places like hospitals, or before passport control when entering the country)
Face coverings no longer required by law

Events and gatherings

Nightclubs can open
Pubs and restaurants no longer table-service only
No limits on guests at weddings and funerals
No limits on people attending concerts, theatres or sports events
No restrictions on communal worship

Travel

Guidance recommending against travel to amber countries removed
Adults fully vaccinated in the UK will no longer have to quarantine for 10 days after returning from amber-list countries
Under-18s won't need to quarantine

Other changes

Limits on visitors to care homes will be removed

On 16^th August most Covid restrictions in schools - including "bubbles" - will come to an end, ahead of the autumn term.

From the same date, double-vaccinated adults may not need to self-isolate if they come into contact with someone who tests positive. However, it will remain a legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive for Covid.

The latest information about restrictions can be found here:

(COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What does this mean for you as Progress Lifeline service user?

Our responders will attend when required, dressed in the advised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The alarm response centre is also operating 24/7. If you need us, we are here.

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Last update: 21^st June 2021

The government has announced a 4-week pause at Step 3. Step 3 restrictions currently remain in place, with England expected to move to Step 4 on 19th July, though the data will be reviewed after 2 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.

However, some restrictions will change on 21^st June. From 21^st 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

For further information on the changes taking place, please visit (COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What does this mean for you as Progress Lifeline service user?

Our responders will attend when required, dressed in the advised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The alarm response centre is also operating 24/7. If you need us, we are here.

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Last update: 17^th May 2021

We have now reached step 3 of the roadmap out of lockdown. This means that:

A maximum of 30 people can now meet outdoors
The rule of 6 or 2 households now applies indoors
Care home residents will be able to have up to five named visitors, with two visitors able to attend at once provided they are tested and follow infection control measures.
Indoor hospitality can reopen and indoor entertainment can resume, including cinemas, museums, and children’s play areas.
Organised indoor sport (adult) can go ahead
Remaining accommodation can open
Remaining outdoor entertainment (including performances) can open. (Restrictions on the number of attendees will remain as set out in the Roadmap).
Domestic overnight stays are now permitted
International travel can gradually resume, as 12 countries and territories are added to the ‘green list’. Strict rules on testing and quarantine will remain in place to protect public health and our vaccination programme, while people should not travel to ‘amber’ and ‘red’ countries for leisure
Most significant life events such as weddings and wakes can continue with up to 30 people

The latest information about restrictions can be found here:

Further easing of COVID restrictions confirmed for 17 May - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

What does this mean for you as Progress Lifeline service user?

Our responders will attend when required, dressed in the advised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The alarm response centre is also operating 24/7. If you need us, we are here.

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Last update: 12^th April 2021

We have now reached step 2 of the roadmap out of lockdown. This means that:

Non-essential retail, personal care premises, such as hairdressers and nail salons, and public buildings, such as libraries and community centres, will reopen.
Most outdoor attractions and settings, including zoos, and theme parks, will also reopen although wider social contact rules will apply in these settings to prevent indoor mixing between different households. Drive-in cinemas and drive-in performances will also be permitted.
Indoor leisure facilities, such as gyms and swimming pools, will also reopen - but only for use by people on their own or with their household.
Hospitality venues can serve people outdoors only. There will be no need for customers to order a substantial meal with alcohol, and no curfew - although customers must order, eat and drink while seated.
Self-contained accommodation, such as holiday lets, where indoor facilities are not shared with other households, can also reopen.
Funerals can continue with up to 30 people, and the numbers able to attend weddings, receptions and commemorative events such as wakes will rise to 15 (from 6).

The latest information about restrictions can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-sets-out-roadmap-to-cautiously-ease-lockdown-restrictions

What does this mean for you as Progress Lifeline service user?

Our responders will attend when required, dressed in the advised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The alarm response centre is also operating 24/7. If you need us, we are here.

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Last update: 29th March 2021

As part of step one, there are further limited changes from today, including:

Outdoor gatherings of either 6 people or 2 households are now allowed, providing greater flexibility for families to see each other. This includes in private gardens.
Outdoor sports facilities, such as tennis and basketball courts, are allowed to reopen, and people can take part in formally organised outdoor sports.
At this point, the Stay at Home order ends, although many lockdown restrictions still remain. For example, you should continue to work from home where possible, and overseas travel remains banned, aside for a small number of reasons.

The latest information about restrictions can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-sets-out-roadmap-to-cautiously-ease-lockdown-restrictions

What does this mean for you as Progress Lifeline service user?

Our responders will attend when required, dressed in the advised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The alarm response centre is also operating 24/7. If you need us, we are here.

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Last update: 8th March 2021

From today, people in England will see lockdown restrictions start to lift and the government’s four-step roadmap offer a route back to a more normal life. As the Prime Minister said, getting children back into school has been the top priority, and so from today all children and students will return to face-to-face education in schools and colleges.

It is also expected from today that everyone in the top four vaccine priority cohorts, will have received the first dose of their vaccine and developed the necessary protection from it.

Also from this date:

Wraparound childcare and other supervised children’s activities can resume where they enable parents to work, seek work, attend education, seek medical care or attend a support group
Care home residents will be allowed one regular visitor provided they are tested and wear PPE
The Stay at Home requirement will remain, but people can leave home for recreation outdoors such as a coffee or picnic with their household or support bubble, or with one person outside their household
Some university students on practical courses will be able to return to face-to-face learning

The latest information about restrictions can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-sets-out-roadmap-to-cautiously-ease-lockdown-restrictions

What does this mean for you as Progress Lifeline service user?

Our responders will attend when required, dressed in the advised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The alarm response centre is also operating 24/7. If you need us, we are here.

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Last update: 5th January 2021

National lockdown announced

The Prime Minister has announced a national lockdown and instructed people to stay at home.

From today people will only be allowed to leave their homes for the following reasons:

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.

The latest information about the restrictions can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-announces-national-lockdown

What does this mean for you as a Progress Lifeline service user?

Our responders will attend when required, dressed in the advised Personal Protective Equipment (PPE). The alarm response centre is also operating 24/7. If you need us, we are here.

We have effective, carefully thought through working procedures for all parts of our organisation. We will also listen to any feedback that you give us, and make sure that we act quickly where necessary.

Useful links:

Clare House Women’s Refuge https://www.clarehouselancashire.org.uk/

Mental Health & Wellbeing: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/

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Last update: 2^nd December 2020

New tier system introduced

It has been announced that the UK will be placed into a new tier system when the second national lockdown is lifted on Wednesday 2^nd December.

The first review of the tiers is set for 16^th December. Prime Minister Boris Johnson confirmed that the allocation of tiers will be reviewed every 14 days from that date.

The latest information about the restrictions in each tier can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/local-restriction-tiers-what-you-need-to-know

To find out which tier you are in, visit the postcode checker here: https://bit.ly/39mjkCZ

What does this mean for you as a Progress Lifeline service user?

All Progress Lifeline Services will continue as normal regardless of the new tiered system. We will carry on working strictly within government guidelines. The health and safety of our colleagues and our customers always being our top priority.

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Last update: 3rd November 2020

National lockdown announced

The government has announced that a national lockdown will take place in England from Thursday 5th November. From Thursday the national restrictions replace any local restrictions in your area. The latest information can be found here:

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/new-national-restrictions-from-5-november

The new measures will apply nationally for four weeks up to Wednesday 2nd December. At the end of the period, they will look to return to a regional approach, based on the latest data.

What does this mean for you as a Progress Lifeline service user?

All Progress Lifeline Services will continue as normal during the 4 week lockdown period. We will carry on working strictly within government guidelines. The health and safety of our colleagues and our customers always being our top priority.

Here is a link to the Mind.org website with some useful information on mental health and well-being at this time:

https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus/

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Last update: 19^th October 2020

On Monday 12^th October, Boris Johnson announced a new three tier system with medium, high and very high alert levels.

More information of the tiers can be found by clicking the links below:

Lancashire and Liverpool City Region (Liverpool, Sefton, Wirral, Knowsley and St Helens) have moved into tier three, which is the “very high” risk category.

As the current situation with COVID-19 develops, our commitment is to adhere to Public Health England guidance and the protocols advised by local and international authorities.

The wellbeing of our customers and our staff is our absolute priority, and you can be assured that health and safety have our complete attention.

We will be following developments daily and providing updates as necessary.

Below is some more information about what we are doing as an organisation, as well as the measures you can take in order to help stop the spread of the virus.

Steps that we are taking:

All of our employees are fully aware of the current requirements. They are undertaking extreme levels of health and safety procedure to ensure that the highest possible hygiene standards are maintained, throughout every aspect of our service, including visiting, and working in, your home.
We are the following the Public Health England guidance in managing any member of staff returning from the affected areas abroad - or those who have family members or friends recently returned from these regions.

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Last update April 2020

Central Lancashire Age Concern Coronavirus Helpline: 01772 552 850 option 0

Age Concern Central Lancashire is encouraging older people and their carers within the county to get in touch through its Coronavirus helpline (01772 552 850 option 0) or their website https://www.ageisjustanumber.org.uk/covid-19-referral/

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Last update 23rd March 2020

As COVID-19 continues to spread, Progress Lifeline’s primary concern is the health and wellbeing of its customers and staff, as well as their families.

With the UK Government announcing that every Briton over the age of 70, or with underlying medical conditions should self-isolate at home for the next 12 weeks, there has never been a more important time to make sure loved ones are kept safe.

We would like to advise our customers of our response and availability of service during this time:

Emergency responder service	Lifting service	Installations and upgrades	Maintenance, service & repairs	Alarm replacements
a	a	a	a	a
No change	No change	Risk assessment based	Remotely or risk assessment based	Postage (where possible)

See below for full details

First of all, we would like to reassure our customers that Progress Lifeline’s top priority is to keep our 24-hour monitoring and response service operating as usual. If you find yourself in difficulty or need of reassurance - you must not delay - press your alert button immediately.

Progress Housing Group (our parent company) has established a Senior Management Incident Team. They are monitoring the situation daily. They will follow advice from Public Health England and the NHS to minimise the spread of the coronavirus.

As members of the Telecare Services Association (TSA) and holders of the Quality Standards Framework for Technology Enabled Care providers, we have activated our Business Continuity Plan that is designed to deal with emergencies such as this.

Progress Lifeline will continuously review its Business Continuity Plan and provide further information and advice as the situation evolves through social media and on the Progress Lifeline website.

Latest updates from NHS about coronavirus

Latest response from Government about coronavirus

Our response and available services:

Emergency responder service: Our emergency responders are attending emergency call-outs when required. Where possible, our operators will assess your situation and take the necessary steps to protect your safety and that of our responders. All responders are provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment which is reviewed on a daily basis.
Lifting service: Our responders are attending lifting service call-outs when required. Where possible, our operators will assess your situation and take the necessary steps to protect your safety and that of our responders. All responders are provided with appropriate Personal Protective Equipment which is reviewed on a daily basis.
Installations and upgrades: New monitoring systems and upgrades are still being installed. Prior to your install appointment, our operations team will be in touch to check if you are currently self-isolating. Our install teams will endeavour to keep a distance of two meters from anyone in the property and avoid personal contact (no handshakes).
Maintenance, service and repairs: Fortunately, most of our technical support can be carried out remotely. If a home or site visit is required, our engineers will fix the issues as quickly as possible. As above, prior to your appointment, our operations team will be in touch to check if you are currently self-isolating. Our install teams will endeavour to keep a distance of two meters from anyone in the property and avoid personal contact (no handshakes).
Alarm replacements: If you have lost or damaged* your wrist or pendant alarm, we will post it out to you free of charge using Royal Mail’s next working day delivery service. Call us on 03333 204 999.
Returning equipment: If you need to return equipment (unit, pendant, sensors, detectors, keysafes etc.), please call 03333 204 999 or email lifeline@progressgroup.org.uk for the latest returns policy and procedure.

Additional help and advice:

Shopping (this shopping list was updated 18th March 2020 - Please check with stores before visiting or ordering.)

Shop local: This is the perfect time to support local businesses by ordering supplies online and over the phone. Local shops are more likely to stock the items you need than supermarket chains. Some local farm shops are offering free delivery!
Booths: 9.30-11:00 opening times for only the vulnerable and elderly. https://www.booths.co.uk/stores/
Sainsburys Local: first-hour trading currently in place for the vulnerable and elderly this will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, check the website for more detail https://stores.sainsburys.co.uk/
Iceland: 08:00-10:00 (2 hours) opening times for only the vulnerable and elderly. https://www.iceland.co.uk/store-finder
Tesco: All stores to open 06:00-22:00 Monday-Saturday & 10:00-16:00 to enable staff to replenish shelves (some in-store pharmacies may stay open later). https://www.tesco.com/store-locator/uk/
Asda: All stores to open 07:00-23:00 Monday-Saturday & 10:00-16:00 Sunday to enable staff to replenish shelves. https://storelocator.asda.com/
Morrisons: https://my.morrisons.com/storefinder/
Food Banks for Leyland, Chorley and Penwortham: Food banks are only open for those who have a referral from either a doctor, social worker, crisis management worker, etc. Hot food and drink services are not available. Food parcels can be collected by knocking on the door during opening hours. A member of staff will bring the food parcel out to you. It is advised that only one family member collects.

Other support:

Find a local GP: To find your local GP, visit: https://www.nhs.uk/service-search/find-a-gp
AGE UK Telephone Befriending Service: – ‘Call in Time’ is a free telephone friendship service for people 60 and over. They'll match you up with a likeminded person who's keen to make a new friend, and every week they'll give you a call. For full details, visit: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/services/befriending-services/sign-up-for-telephone-befriending/
The Silver Line Befriending Service: is the only free, confidential helpline providing information, friendship and advice to older people (over 55s) which is open 24 hours a day, every day of the year. For full details, call 0800 4 70 80 90 or visit: https://www.thesilverline.org.uk/
Facebook: The Coronavirus North West Support Group (Covid-19 2020) was set up on Facebook on Sunday (05 March 2020) and has attracted thousands of members. The group, which gets more than 130 posts a day, was set up by people from Preston to share news, advice and updates regarding the virus. Posts include information on food banks, shop supplies, advice on symptoms, school closures, and business information, and how to make self-isolation a little bit easier.
- North West Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/2301831146783974/
- Lytham Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1531950220287671/

Alzheimer’s Association: If you’re caring for a person living with Alzheimer’s or dementia, you may be more worried about coronavirus. There are some things you can do to help prevent the person from catching any viruses. For further information, visit: https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/coronavirus-covid-19
Samaritans: If you need to talk to someone, it is free to call the Samaritans from both landlines and mobiles, including pay-as-you-go mobiles. You do not need to have any credit or call allowance on your plan to call 116 123. For further information, visit: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/
As individuals: If you are fit and free of symptoms, you could help neighbours by posting notes and offering to do their shopping or collecting much-needed prescriptions etc.

If you would like to share other organisations that may help the vulnerable and the elderly during the pandemic, please email lifeline@progressgroup.org.uk with the details.

Thank you and please take care of yourself and each other.

*If the alarm equipment was damaged maliciously, replacements are not free and will be charged.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) 13th March 2020

As the current situation with Covid-19 develops, our commitment is to adhere to Public Health England guidance and the protocols advised by local and international authorities.

The wellbeing of our customers and our staff is our absolute priority, and you can be assured that health and safety have our complete attention.

We will be following developments daily with intense scrutiny and providing updates as necessary.

Below is some more information about what we are doing as an organisation, as well as the measures you can take in order to help stop the spread of the virus.

Steps that we are taking:

All of our employees are fully aware of the current requirements. They are undertaking extreme levels of health and safety procedure to ensure that the highest possible hygiene standards are maintained, throughout every aspect of our service, including visiting, and working in, your home.
We are the following the Public Health England guidance in managing any member of staff returning from the affected areas abroad - or those who have family members or friends recently returned from these regions.

What you can do to help prevent the spread of coronavirus

Information for the public on the outbreak of coronavirus, including the current situation in the UK, is being updated daily by the lead agencies.

The NHS website has more information about how coronavirus is spread and answers common questions about the virus.

Key advice includes:

wash your hands with soap and water often – do this for at least 20 seconds
always wash your hands when you get home or into work
use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available
cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze
put used tissues in the bin immediately and wash your hands afterwards
try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell
do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean
avoid unnecessary close contact such as shaking hands

Feeling unwell or asked to self-isolate?

If you have a Progress Lifeline equipment installation appointment or are in need of our EHR services we may ask you about your health and your recent travel before we attend. This is to protect our employees and ensure we can maintain services.

You can contact us in a number of ways including email, website, social media and webchat. Any information you share will be kept confidential.

Impact on service delivery

We are currently delivering all services as usual. We will provide updates if this changes.

Further support

If you have any queries or concerns about your health, we would urge you to follow the advice from Public Health England or the NHS.

Please do get in touch with us if you want further advice on any other issues that may potentially arise from the situation by webchat or email enquiries@progressgroup.org.uk

Useful links

General health advice for individuals, available from the NHS website.