Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Overview

COVID-19 will be a feature of our lives for the foreseeable future, so we need to learn to live with it and manage the risk to ourselves and others.

All of us can play our part by understanding the situations where risks of COVID-19 infection and transmission are likely to be higher and take action to reduce these risks.

Steps you can take to reduce the risk 

  • Get vaccinated
  • Stay at home if you have symptoms or test positive
  • Consider wearing a face covering
  • Wash your hands regularly
  • Cover your mouth if you need to cough or sneeze
  • Open the windows to let fresh air in

See:

.

.

Latest data

Visit the government website for data on COVID-19.

For local information, enter your postcode or use the interactive map.

Other languages

For the latest COVID-19 advice in different languages, visit .

You can also translate any page on our website into various languages using .

South Tyneside Living with COVID-19 Plan 2022-23

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak Management Plan

Economic Recovery Plan

Covid memorials and Freedom of the Borough

Vaccination

The COVID-19 vaccination is the largest vaccine programme in the history of the NHS.

The vaccines have been through the same regulatory approval process as all other medicines used in this country to make sure they meet strict safety standards and offer high levels of protection.

Research has shown the vaccines help:

  • reduce your risk of getting seriously ill or dying from COVID-19
  • reduce your risk of catching or spreading COVID-19
  • protect against COVID-19 variants

The vaccine is free of charge on the NHS.

Eligibility

Find out if you're eligible for a current vaccine, and how to get it, at .

Information in other formats 

Testing

Coronavirus (COVID-19) tests are no longer free for most people.

Some people can still get free COVID-19 rapid lateral flow tests from the NHS.

You can get free NHS tests if you have a health condition which means you're eligible for COVID-19 treatments.

You may also be able to get free NHS tests if:

  • you're going into hospital
  • you work in healthcare or adult social care

For full details, see .

Most people in England are no longer advised to get tested. Find out:

If you still want to get tested and you're not eligible for a free NHS test, you must pay for a COVID-19 test yourself.

You can buy a COVID-19 test online or in person from pharmacies and retailers.

Businesses

For the latest government advice, please visit .

Get in touch

If you've got a specific COVID-19 health related question, email environmental.healthmailbox@southtyneside.gov.uk.

We will review your query and get back to you as quickly as possible.

Reporting cases and outbreaks

If you have two or more linked cases in the workplace, email the Public Health team at COVID@southtyneside.gov.uk.

Business Support Hub

The Council's Business Support Team can also provide you with lots of advice and support. 

They can be contacted on 0191 481 3456 or by email at business@southtyneside.gov.uk.

For information about support, visit .

Funding and grants for businesses

Â鶹ÊÓƵ administered over £50million of grants to businesses within the funding allocations and guidelines provided by government. This has provided support to many of our local businesses.

The following support grants have now closed for applications:

  • Omicron Small Business Hardship Grant
  • Omicron Hospitality and Leisure Grant (OHLG)
  • Shop Front Improvement Grant
  • Additional Restrictions Grant

To discuss any support available to your business, see .

Employer Toolkit

Public Health England have produced an employer toolkit which includes posters and materials you can use to promote the vaccine to your staff.

 

Volunteering

During the pandemic many people in our community volunteered to help others.

Whether it's being a health advocate or spreading the word about what a great place South Tyneside is, there are still numerous voluntary opportunities you can get involved with.

Become a 'a better u' Champion

Would you like to help your family, friends and local communities?

Can you share key advice and information to help people to improve their lives?

Could you help us reach people that might not be able to find the right advice themselves?

#LoveSouthTyneside campaign

If you would like to volunteer, Love South Tyneside can support you to be matched to an organisation that can use your skills.

Find out more at  or follow . 

NHS Volunteer Responders

For information about the government NHS Volunteer Responders scheme visit .

More information

Find out more about volunteering in South Tyneside.