From today (Monday), the Government is asking office workers to work from home if they can.
From tomorrow (Tuesday), daily rapid lateral flow testing will replace self isolation for double jabbed contacts of people with Covid-19. Contacts who are unvaccinated must self isolate for 10 days. Anyone with symptoms of Covid-19, no matter how mild, must self isolate and book a PCR test.
And from Wednesday (15 December), NHS Covid passes will be required to attend certain large scale events.
Face coverings are now required by law in most indoor settings, including shops, banks, post offices, hairdressers, theatres and cinemas and on public transport, unless individuals are exempt.
Meanwhile, people aged 30 and over can get their Covid-19 boosters from today. Individuals can book 2 months (61 days) after their second dose using the NHS national booking system, to get their top up 3 months (91 days) after their second dose.
The measures – part of the Government's 'Plan B' – are being introduced amid concern over Omicron, which is spreading rapidly and is expected to become the dominant variant in the UK in the coming days.
Councillor Jasbir Jaspal, the City of Wolverhampton Council's Cabinet Member for Public Health and Wellbeing, said: "We've seen a big jump in the number of people testing positive for Covid-19 in Wolverhampton over the last few days, and we're calling on everyone to keep on playing their part and do all they can to prevent the further spread of Covid-19.
"That means limiting unnecessary contact with others, wearing face coverings where needed and working from home where possible.
"If you have Covid-19 symptoms, you must self isolate and get tested, and if you haven’t got symptoms, please take a regular rapid test just to make sure you haven’t got the virus.
“And most importantly, if you are due a vaccination, whether it's your first or second jab, or your booster, you must get it as soon as you can."
A number of Covid-19 walk in vaccination clinics are operating in Wolverhampton, including one in the Mander Centre (Upper Mall, Central Arcade, opposite Rymans) which is providing first, second and booster vaccinations from 9am to 5.30pm Monday to Saturday and from 10.30am to 4.30pm on Sundays.
For a full list of local vaccination centres, many offering walk in appointments, please visit NHS. To book an appointment in advance, visit Book or manage a coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination or call 119.
For information about rapid testing, for people without symptoms of Covid-19, please visit Coronavirus Testing. People with symptoms of Covid-19 must book a free PCR test by calling 119 or visiting GOV.UK .
Latest figures show there were 402.8 new cases of Covid-19 per 100,000 people in Wolverhampton over the last 7 days. That means 1,059 people tested positive for the virus in that same period – though the true number of cases will likely be higher.
