To find the latest health information on coronavirus please visit the NHS website
Symptoms of coronavirus
The symptoms of coronavirus are:
- high temperature
- new,continuous cough
- loss or change to your sense of smell or taste
For more information visit NHS Choices
What to do if you need medical help
If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:
- Stay at home (self-isolate) – do not leave your home or have visitors. Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also self-isolate.
- Get a test – get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible. Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, should also get a test if they have symptoms. You can request a test on the NHS website.
If you are worried about your symptoms or are not sure what to do, you can Use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service, or call 111. Call 111 if you cannot get help online. Do not go to places like a GP surgery, hospital or pharmacy.
Get advice from NHS 111 if you're worried about your child or not sure what to do.
- For children aged 5 or over – use the NHS 111 online coronavirus service.
- For children under 5 – call 111.
For more information visit the NHS website
If you need help or advice not related to coronavirus:
- For help from a GP – use your GP surgery's website, use an online service or app, or call the surgery.
- For urgent medical help – use the NHS 111 online service, or call 111 if you're unable to get help online.
- For life-threatening emergencies – call 999 for an ambulance.
Read more advice about getting medical help at home.
When your child is ill or injured it is very difficult to decide if/when to call your child’s GP, NHS 111 or go the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E).
You can read the NHS Parent's Guide - COVID-19 for guidance.
The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health have also produced further guidance for parents/carers on what to do what to do when your child is unwell or injured during this time- View this resource
Department for Education Coronavirus helpline
The DfE have launched a new helpline to answer questions about COVID-19 related to education. Staff, parents and young people can contact the helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Email: DfE.coronavirushelpline@education.gov.uk
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)
No school should close in response to a suspected (or confirmed) COVID-19 case unless advised to do so by Public Health England.
Please see below for most recent updates.
Educational Settings Updates
The information below has been organised to show the most recent update first.
September Update
For information on your child/young persons Return to School and useful resources, please visit our Return to School Page .
Read our Flowchart for parents/carers: what to do is someone is displaying symptoms of COVID-19
Children and young people to return to school full time in Autumn Term-July Update
It is the government’s plan that all children and young people, in all year groups, will return to school and college full time from the beginning of the autumn term.
Your child's school or college will provide more information on what this means and what measures they will have put in place.
You can read Councillor Julian Bell and Councillor Yvonne Johnson's letter to parents and carers, alongside the flowchart on when your child should attend school (updated 30 July) for more information.
For parents/carers of children with an EHC Plan, please read the letter for parents/carers of children with an EHC Plan.
Link to government guidance: What parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges in the autumn term
For useful information and resources to support with your child's return to school, please visit our Return to School page
COVID-19 Update for parents on school openings - June
The Government is slowly easing lockdown and expects children who are a 'priority', in Reception, Year 1 or Year 6 to be in school. We understand however that many parents are worried about coronavirus. The Ealing Learning Partnership have produced an update for parents which includes the steps schools are taking to assess and reduce risk as they welcome back more children.
This information is up to date as of 15 June 2020.
Update : reopening of schools and other educational settings
From 1 June, at the earliest, primary schools in England may be able to welcome back children in key transition years – nursery, reception, year 1 and year 6.
Secondary schools, sixth forms and colleges will also be able to provide some face-to-face support with young people in year 10 and year 12 to help them prepare for exams next year.
You can access more information on the opening of schools and educational settings to more pupils from 1 June for parents and carers
The government has announced that from Monday (23 March 2020) UK schools will close until further notice as part of ongoing measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus.
There will be spaces made available where possible for the children of key workers and vulnerable children to remain in school. Vulnerable children include children who are supported by social care, those with safeguarding and welfare needs, including child in need plans, on child protection plans, ‘looked after’ children, young carers, disabled children and those with education, health and care (EHC) plans.
Read our guidance below on accessing school and childcare arrangements for further information.
WhatsApp and social media misinformation: Coronavirus Act
We have been made aware of rumours circulating on social media which suggest that, under the Coronavirus Act, school children displaying COVID-19 symptoms can be taken and detained by the state in a government testing centre and held for 14 days, plus tested without parental consent, according to a letter from the Children’s Commissioner.
Please be aware that these rumours are not true. Screening or assessing a child can only take place in the presence of carer, parent or guardian.
If your child displays symptoms it is very important that they get a test and that they do not go to school or nursery so that they don’t make any other children unwell. If they become unwell at school, you will be contacted, asked to remove them from school and advised to take them for a test.
For more information please see the flowchart for parents and carers which advises you on what steps to take if your child displays symptoms.
You can also visit our Return to School page for tips on supporting your child's return to school.
Accessing holiday playschemes, after school clubs and other out of-school settings
On the 1st July government guidance was published for parents and carers covering changes to after-school clubs, holiday clubs, tuition, community activities and other out-of-school settings for children and young people over the age of 5 during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak:
If you are a parent/carer who would like to query whether your usual after school club, breakfast club or out of school care setting is currently open, please contact the setting directly.
If you would like to find a holiday playscheme operating during the summer holidays, please view the list below. We will continue to update this list with information on holiday playschemes that are open.
Online Free Summer School
The Zhaniye Foundation will be providing a wide range of subjects to students of Nursery, Reception, Primary and Secondary School Age over a 6 week time frame (Age 3-18) to supplement some education lost due to the Covid-19 Lockdown, with Core Subjects such as English, Maths, Science, History, Geograph and more, as well as Creative Topics like Art, Drama and Music as well as wellbeing sessions! Including early years and GCSE to A Level.
To find out how to book, please visit www.znaniyefoundation.co.uk/events-1/ealing-borough-free-online-summer-school
For more information please call 07415939494 or email: contact@znaniyefoundation.co.uk
Resources for parents/carers
We have compiled some resources which you may find useful, including how you can speak to children about coronavirus , educational activities and more. Visit our Coronavirus- useful resources page.
Updates to services and support during COVID-19
We have compiled all the information we've received about changes to services for children, young people and families during the COVID-19 situation. Visit our Updates to services and support during COVID-19 page.
Food Banks, Food Distribution Services & Food Bank Collections
We have compiled all the information we have on local food banks and food collections points. Visit the Food Banks, Food Distribution Services & Food Bank Collections page for more infomation.
Where to find latest information
Gov.uk Updates on COVID-19:
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
NHS Updates on COVID-19 including symptoms, self isolation, testing and tracing:
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19:
Staying Alert and Safe (Social Distancing) Guidance
Travel advice for those travelling and living overseas:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/travel-advice-novel-coronavirus
Education and Childcare- Guidance for teachers, school leaders, carers, parents and students
https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus/education-and-childcare
What parents and carers need to know about schools, colleges and other education settings during the coronavirus outbreak
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers/closure-of-educational-settings-information-for-parents-and-carers
Guidance on schools, colleges and local authorities on maintaining educational provision
Guidance for further education and skills providers on maintaining provision
Guidance for parents and carers covering changes to after-school clubs, holiday clubs, tuition, community activities and other out-of-school settings for children and young people over the age of 5 during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Face coverings: when to wear one and how to make your own
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/face-coverings-when-to-wear-one-and-how-to-make-your-own
Information in other languages
All pages on this directory can be accessed in other languages using the Google Translate option on the top right hand side of this page (this does not include any downloadable attachments).
Doctors of the World have produced information on Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for patients in 60 languages, which were produced in partnership with the British Red Cross.
COVID-19 Infographics- infographics to help summarise key points about COVID-19 in a variety of languages to get the right information in an easy to understand format. Languages availableinclude Punjabi,Somali, Arabic, Polish and more.
You may also find the information you are looking for on the Ealing Council website, also available in multiple languages