This page contains information on COVID-19 in relation to asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in the East Midlands, as well as those working with and supporting them. Please be advised that this is not a comprehensive and up-to-date source of information, however EMSMP team are working to update the information as often as possible. We do advise people to check national websites such as, NHS, GOV.UK, Public Health England, Local Government Association.

This page was last edited on 20th July 2021.

If you would like to receive our “round up” newsletter, which highlights any new guidance and resources which as been added to this page, please opt in by emailing Hannah.Smith@emcouncils.gov.uk 

Government Announcements:

Asylum

[added 29.01]

• Call for evidence: An inspection of the use of hotels and barracks as contingency asylum accommodation - The Independent Chief Inspector invites anyone with knowledge and experience of the Home Office’s use of hotels and barracks as contingency asylum accommodation to submit evidence. To read more or to respond, click here.

[added 13.11]

• Changes to asylum support rates to £39.63 a week - The governmentannounced via letter to local authority chief executives, some key changes to asylum support rates and some extra support for those accommodated in full-board settings, partly related to the COVID-19 pandemic.   Along with the uplift, the Minster also announced the following new measures:
  • Those in full board accommodation  supported under section 95 or section 4(2) of the Immigration and Asylum Act 1999 will, for the first time, receive payments of £8 per week to cover clothing, travel and non-prescription medication
  • Those who have been in full board accommodation will also get some backdated support:
    • £3 per week for clothing needs will be backdated from  either 27 March or the date on which someone was granted support, whichever date is later
    • £4.70 per week for travel needs will be backdated to 1 July or the date on which someone was granted support, whichever date is later
    • These backdated payments will be subject to reductions where accommodation providers have provider financial support

  Click here to read more and to access the letter announcement.

[added 05.10]

• Families reunited as asylum seekers transferred to the UK - The UK has announced the successful transfer of 28 asylum seekers from Greece to reunite with their family members. The group were transferred to the UK under the Dublin Regulation and will now be allowed to have their asylum claim assessed alongside their family members. Click here to read more.

[added 27.08]

• Guidance on the resumption of substantive asylum interviews - This guidance informs readers of the planned process to resume substantive asylum interviews, mainly through video conferencing. Click here to access.

[added 14.08]

• Resumption of cessations of support and evictions - In March 2020, the government announced a temporary pause in asylum accommodation evictions. As of 11 August 2020, the Home Office have confirmed that they will begin to resume cessations of support including evictions from asylum accommodation for people who have been granted status. Click here to read more.

[added 17.06]

• Increase in Asylum Support rate - The Home Office announced on 8th June the rise in the rate of asylum support and to implement an immediate exceptional increase of the standard allowance to £39.60 per week (which is an increase of around 5%). For further information, please see the letter here that was sent to chief executives. [Sourced via Migration Yorkshire's page]

[added 30.04]

• Asylum Operations are continuing to make and serve decisions on cases where there is enough information to do so - They are continuing to review them on a case by case basis, ensuring those with significant safeguarding concerns or vulnerabilities are only served if appropriate to do so. Decisions that may be affected, and therefore on hold include; 1) where a recipient may be vulnerable to destitution as a result of our decision and/or 2) where an individual is particularly vulnerable, an example being someone with mental health conditions, and also those with disabilities.
• Regional Asylum Intake Units - additional locations - The AIU in Croydon will continue to function as normal but will additionally be supported by limited operations in Glasgow, Belfast, Liverpool, Leeds, Solihull and Cardiff. These will be to meet the demands of asylum registrations within the geographical area and will not operate a 5-day service. Click here for more information.
• New factsheet on asylum accomodation and applications - has been produced by the UK Government in light of coronavirus. It can be accessed here.

[added 16.04]

• Asylum Intake Unit (AIU) screening interviews have been cancelled - The Home Office have cancelled some screening interviews and are working on a new system for asylum claims to be registered regionally without the need to physically attend the Asylum Intake Unit in Croydon. Further information on this can be found here.
• Asylum decisions can now be served by email - The Home Office have set up a process whereby they will send an email to the legal representative (using the most recent email address they have on file) to verify that the email address  is correct, that the representative is happy to receive emails, the authority to act is current and that there are no reasons why serving the decision by email would not be appropriate. For more information, click here.
• Postal applications for refugee integration loans are no longer being accepted - however can be accepted via email. Guidance on applying for the loan can be found here and details of how to apply can be found here.

[added 30.03]

• All evictions and terminations of support paused for 3 months - On 27 March, the Home Office announced that for the next three months, people will not be asked to leave their asylum accommodation. This applies to both people whose asylum cases are refused and those who are granted status. This was announced by a letter to the British Red Cross.

[added 27.03]

• The First-Tier Tribunal (Immigration and Asylum Chamber) announced that all hearings up to 30th April 2020 will be converted to Case Management Hearings (CMR) via telephone or Skype which will take place on the original hearing date in a time slot to be allocated. More information on this can be found here.

[added 25.03]

• Voluntary Returns Service— The Home Office have decided to currently cease offering assisted returns at the time, due to difficulties of assisting returns as well as the infrastructure, it has made it become impossible to offer the level of support needed at this time. They will however continue to register an interest from people who wish to return, and to offer other levels of support to help as many people as they possibly can, including arranging flights, get travel documents etc. and to talk through the offer on an individual basis. Furhter information and how to be in touch can be accessed here. 
• Section 95 support - Due to the current Covid19 pandemic, there has been a pause in face to face substantive asylum interviews. There are likely to be delays in initial decision-making and in asylum appeals taking place. Therefore people may remain entitled to s95 support for longer. Those that do lose their asylum appeals should remain on support as, due to the current Covid-19 pandemic, it is impossible for them to leave the UK. In the event that they do receive notification that their s95 support is being discontinued, they should immediately apply for s4 support. Further details can be found here .
• Asylum seekers with a fresh claim - The majority of refused asylum-seekers on s4 support have outstanding fresh claims as it has long been established that it is not reasonable to be expected to leave the UK when waiting for a decision on a fresh claim. The Further Submissions Unit has closed to face to face further submissions appointments and it is now possible to send the further submissions in post. More information can be found here . 
• UKVI Reporting and Offender Management (ROM) Team have now confirmed reporting frequencies for reportees in light of the COVID-19 developing situation.  The decision taken is that they will initially suspend reporting for all reportees and an SMS message will be sent out to reportees shortly advising them of this. The agreement is that reporting will be suspended for Non FNO’s for 3 months.  For FNO’s, they will all be moved to monthly reporting. They will then, via SMS, inform reportees of the change to their reporting and when they should next report.

EUSS Settlement Scheme 

[added 01.06]

• Video guidance on EUSS support from the 21st May- can be accessed here. 
• The EU Settlement Resolution Centre continues to provide support 7 days a week - by email and telephone, in line with public health guidance to work from home where possible.

[added 29.05]

• EU Settlement Scheme application routes and services resume -Home Office support services and application routes have all fully reopened in line with public health guidance. There continues to be a range of support available online, by telephone and by email for those who have questions or need help applying. The postal route for submitting identity evidence is also open for applicants who are unable to use the app to verify their identity. Click here to read the full update.

[added 01.04]

• The AIRE Centre's has launched a Settlement Guide for vulnerable young people which aims is to assist vulnerable young people, including those in care or who have recently left care to apply for EUSS. It includes explanations about what EUSS is, how to apply and a short quiz which gives a decision about what status they might have. Click here to access. 

[added 30.03]

• Settlement Resolution Centre (SRC) The SRC will no longer be answering telephone calls. It will, however, continue to respond to email enquiries and provide a call back function when required. Emails from support organisations will be prioritised where possible. To ask questions or if you have a query, click here.
• ID document scanners - all locations have been suspended at this time due to the latest Public Health England advice.
• Postal route for submitting Identity evidence - The postal route for submitting identity evidence is also currently suspended. We are unable to accept any documents by post at this time, but all documents already sent to us will be returned as quickly as possible. Applications can still be made online using the “EU Exit ID Document check app”.
• 57 grant funded voluntary and community sector organisations - Some services have been suspended but organisations are seeking to provide support in other ways, in line with social distancing guidance, for example via telephone and online. Please check with the individual organisations for further details. 
• Additional support is available to those EU citizens in the UK who do not have the appropriate access, skills or confidence to apply online through Assisted Digital, which can offer assistance over the phone. More information can be found here.
• Translated communications material - in 26 different languages can be accessed here. Alternative formats can also be requested.

[added 25.03]

• The Home Office’s EU Settlement Resolution Centre telephone lines are currently closed in the light of the coronavirus outbreak, however the Home Office can be contacted via online email enquiry form. The Settlement Resolution Centre is providing an automated message to state that they will open the line again once they are able to do this safely.  Many ID scanning services have also been suspended, so it is advised to contact the service before attending by clicking here. 
• Many organisations supporting people to apply under the EU Settlement Scheme have had to cancel their face-to-face outreach activities, but many organisations are still providing advice via phone or email. To find an organisation near you, click here.

Modern Slavery:

[added 27.08]

• Research report on assessing the vulnerability of care-workers in England to modern slavery risks during the COVID-19 pandemic - Conducted by The Rights Lab in August 2020, click here to read.
• Report on Parallel societies: slavery, exploitation and criminal subculture in Leicester - by the Centre for Criminal Justice which explores the recent spike in COVID cases in Leicester which triggered a series of media investigations. Click here to read more.

[added 15.07]

• Update to the temporary change to the policy on the ‘move-on period’ - for individuals in Victim Care Contract (VCC) accommodation, to ensure people remained in their homes and did not travel any more than was necessary. The temporary policy guidance was in place from 6 April for a 3 month period, however has now been extended to 6th August 2020. From 6 August, the move on processes and periods will resume as normal. Click here to access the Government guidance on this.

[added 06.04]

• Support for modern slavery victims affected by coronavirus - The government have announced immediate changes for people in the modern slavery victim care contract. Those in government-funded safe accommodation are allowed to stay-in for the next three months rather than being moved on after 45 days. Click here for further information. 

No Recourse to Public Funds (NRPF)

[added 30.07]

• NRPF and Early Education Entitlement - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing, The Department for Education have now made permanent the eligibility for Early Education support for 2 year olds for some NRPF groups (families in receipt of support under Section 17 of the Children Act 1989 and where child is born in the UK). Please see government guidance for more details.

[added 22.06]

• Local authority call for evidence: ‘no recourse to public funds’ during the Covid-19 pandemic - The Institute for Community Research and Development (ICRD) at the University of Wolverhampton, together with ASIRT, Migrants’ Rights Network, Project 17 and Public Interest Law Centre, is being funded by the Paul Hamlyn Foundation to carry out a rapid evidence research project into support for people with ‘no recourse to public funds’ during the Covid-19 pandemic. They want to find out from council officers how local authorities have responded to this. What are the challenges and difficulties, and what are the emerging areas of good practice? Click here to access the survey.

[added 12.06]

• Councils call for suspension of No Recourse to Public Funds during COVID-19 crisis - Today the Local Government Association calls to work with government and the current review led by Dame Louise Casey to provide greater clarity and funding for councils’ responsibilities for all those who are destitute and homeless because of their migration status. Click here to read the full report.

[added 27.04]

• Calls to ease No Recourse to Public Funds conditions - House of Commons Library briefing identifies what state support and concessions might be available for migrants with NRPF during the coronavirus crisis. To read, click here.

[added 23.04]

• NRPF New factsheet and information for councils - This includes rights, entitlements, Home Office changes, signposting to support and advice services. Click here to access this resource.

[added 01.04]

• The NRPF Network have provided a factsheet for councils on supporting people with no recourse to public funds during the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, which includes details on support for people with NRPF from homelessness services to social services' support, rights and entitlements of people with NRPF, as well as Home Office support and updates on changes to the process. This can be accessed here.

[added 25.03]

•  The NRPF Network have a section on their website on their update for NRPF services. Click here to access their current update.

Unaccompanied Asylum Seeking Children (UASC)

[added 21.09]

• Kent Intake Unit social worker guidance - UK Visas and Immigration have published guidance relating to the social workers. This document provides guidance and information relevant to the delivery of social work assistance, by a team of contracted social workers, in support of the delivery of the Kent Intake Unit’s (KIU’s) functions in respect of children and those claiming to be children. Click here to access.

[added 16.09]

• Applications open for Care Leavers Internship Scheme 2020 - Young people leaving care will again be directly offered the opportunity to work at central government departments, as applications today open for this year’s Care Leaver Internship Scheme. Click here to read more.

[added 10.07]

• DfE has recently published a factsheet for UASC during COVID-19 - It forms part of a pack of advice for care leavers during and after COVID-19. The Factsheet for UASC begins on page 20. Although the pack refers to advice for care leavers, the UASC factsheet is relevant to young people who are currently looked after, as well as to care leavers. Click here to access the factsheet.

[added 07.07]

• Temporary amendment to UASC funding to local authorities - In response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic a temporary amendment has been made to the terms under which local authorities can claim Home Office funding in respect to their costs of supporting unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) which should be read in conjunction with the current funding instructions. Click here to access the guidance. 

[added 15.05]

• DfE have just published guidance on safe working in education, childcare and children’s social care setting - this includes the use of personal protective equipment (PPE). This includes information on what protection is needed when transporting children. Click here for more information.

[added 30.04]

• Fact sheet on information in relation to UASC transfers - The UK Government have provided a fact sheet in relation to transfers of UASC into the UK. This includes their key points, background information and figures. This can be accessed here.
• Update from Midlands Intake Unit in relation to UASC - At present the reporting centre remains Solihull is closed and there is no time frame for it to re-open as things stand.  However, they are still able to note the cases but cannot register regional asylum claims at this time.  They have advised to continue to refer UASC cases directly to MIU Minors and will record the details and issue a port reference number. For cases that wish to be seen in Solihull should go directly to MIU minors. At present we cannot register the claims, issue any paperwork or ARC documents until the biometrics are obtained which is not currently possible with office closures due to COVID-19.  When the situation changes, we will resume inviting social workers to present their UASC cases to appointments. If you have any questions in relation to this, contact Matthew.Clarke@emcouncils.gov.uk 

[added 06.04]

• Guidance for local authorities on children’s social care, including UASC and care leavers - This guidance by DfE covers guidance for UASC on where can symptomatic UASC self-isolate, what is being done to increase capacity for UASC self-isolation, as well as who has legal responsibility for UASC in self-isolation accommodation. To access the guidance, click here.
  
  

[added 25.03]

• Letter to Directors of Children’s Services regarding local authorities’ duties towards unaccompanied asylum seeking children can be downloaded here .

Vulnerable Persons Resettlement Schemes (VPRS)

[added 28.07]

• UNHCR have released their global response to COVID-19 on 13 July 2020 - which included an overview of their response to the pandemic, a global and regional overview, progress to date and impact as well as gaps and challenges along the way. Click here to download and read the report. 
  

[added 03.07]

• Joint statement regarding the commencement of refugee resettlement after the effects of the Coronavirus pandemic -  UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency, and the International Organization for Migration (IOM) announced the resumption of resettlement departures for refugees. The temporary hold on resettlement travel, which was necessitated by disruptions and restrictions to international air travel caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, delayed the departures of some 10,000 refugees to resettlement countries. While this is good news, this is just a first step and does not mean that arrivals in the UK can restart yet. Arrivals into the UK continues to depend on a number of COVID-19 related factors including: the restarting of flights from refugee hosting countries; the lifting of restrictions imposed by the governments of those countries and in the UK; the reopening of the UK’s visa application centres; the capacity of local authorities and sponsors to receive refugees; and appropriate public health measures being in place to protect refugees and communities. Should you have any questions relating to the announcement or resettlement in general, please contact Brein Fisher at brein.fisher@emcouncils.gov.uk. Click here to read the joint announcement.

[added 25.03]

• IOM and UNHCR announce temporary suspension of resettlement travel for refugees. As countries drastically reduce entry into their territories owing to the COVID-19 global health crisis, and restrictions around international air travel are introduced, travel arrangements for resettling refugees are currently subject to severe disruptions. For more information, you can find the announcement here.

Other:

[added 20.07]

• Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing before you travel to England - On 19 July 2021, Changes to amber list rules on quarantine and testing. Click here to access.
• Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions - On 19 July 2021, Changes to amber list rules for people who are fully vaccinated under the UK vaccination programme. Click here to access.
• Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - See below updates since the last upload. Click here to access the guidance.
  1. 19 July 2021

     Removed paragraph relating to enrolment of biometrics at Post Office branches from paragraph entitled 'Application and service centres in the UK'.

  2. 19 July 2021

     Changes to the If you’re outside the UK section and paragraphs under heading 'If you’re outside the UK and your leave has expired before you are able to return' removed to reflect end of concession on 19 July 2021.

  3. 13 July 2021

     Updated Returning Resident visa refund request email to CovidRRR@fco.gov.uk.

• Statement on offering COVID-19 vaccines to at-risk young people - Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid accepts advice from Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation to offer vaccines to vulnerable young people. Young people aged 12 to 15 with severe neuro-disabilities, Down’s Syndrome, immunosuppression and multiple or severe learning disabilities, as well as people who are household contacts of individuals who are immunosuppressed, will be eligible for vaccination soon. To read more, click here.
• Fully vaccinated critical workers to be able to leave self-isolation in exceptional circumstances - Fully vaccinated critical workers to be able to leave self-isolation in exceptional circumstances under new plans to prevent serious disruption to vital public services. Click here to read more.
• Travel update: new destinations added to government travel lists - The UK government has updated its travel lists, adding Bulgaria and Hong Kong to the green list and Croatia and Taiwan to the green watchlist, meaning passengers arriving into England after 4am on Monday 19 July will no longer need to quarantine on arrival – Croatia and Taiwan are being added to the green watchlist, in recognition that these countries and territories are at risk of moving from green to amber. To access the travel list, click here.
• Prime Minister confirms move to Step 4 -  Step 4 of the Roadmap will proceed as planned on Monday 19 July, the Prime Minister has confirmed. Moving to Step 4 is a balance of risks and the public should continue to be cautious. The majority of covid restrictions will end on 19 July and guidance will emphasise personal responsibility. Click here to read more.
• More than 80 million vaccines administered across the UK - Over half of young people aged 18 to 24 in England have received a first dose following rapid uptake. More than 86% of adults have been vaccinated with a first dose and all adults are eligible to get their second dose of a vaccine earlier after 8 weeks. Click here to read more.
• International travel from amber list countries and territories - The guidance on travel to and from amber list countries to England will change 19 July 2021. UK residents who are fully vaccinated through the UK vaccine rollout will no longer have to self-isolate when they return to England.To read the oral statement, click here.
• Latest REACT-1 study findings show COVID-19 infection rates 3 times lower for double vaccinated people -Interim findings covering 24 June to 5 July from Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI show infections have quadrupled since the last REACT-1 study, which took place from 20 May to 7 June, with 1 in 170 people infected and a recent doubling time of 6 days. To read more about this, click here.
• Asymptomatic testing backed by new research studies - Research published demonstrates how effective widespread testing has been against emerging variants of concern. Findings from three studies on the real-world use of rapid tests, known as lateral flow devices (LFDs), have confirmed their effectiveness under a variety of conditions, demonstrating the reliability and adaptability of these tests. To read more, click here.
• Additional support for Leicester scaled back as local spread of COVID-19 slows - Extra support deployed in Leicester on 20 May is being scaled back as the latest data shows local enhanced support has helped slow the initial spread of the Delta variant in the area. To read more, click here.
• Covid restrictions in education settings to end at Step 4 - Further Covid restrictions in schools, such as class and year group bubbles, will be lifted but protective measures will remain in place next term. To read more, click here.
• Self-isolation to be eased for fully vaccinated adults in step 4 - From 16 August, double jabbed individuals and under 18s will no longer need to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of someone with COVID-19. Click here to read more.
• Prime Minister sets out plan to ease restrictions at step - COVID restrictions are set to end in England from step 4 of the Roadmap after the Prime Minister set out how life will soon return close to normal. Click here to read more.
• Fully vaccinated arrivals from France to England must continue to quarantine - From Monday 19 July, UK residents arriving from amber countries who are fully vaccinated will no longer have to quarantine, although they will still need to comply with necessary testing requirements. However, this will not apply to France following the persistent presence of cases in France of the Beta variant, which was first identified in South Africa. Click here to read more.
• Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK - Update on the 16th July which included 'PHE’s weekly COVID-19 variant cases data shows that numbers of the Delta (VOC-21APR-02) variant in the UK have risen by 36,800 since last week to a total of 253,049. This represents a 17% increase. Of these, 45 are the Delta AY.1 sub lineage. The Delta variant currently accounts for approximately 99% of cases that are sequenced across the UK'. Click here to read more.
• New research into treatment and diagnosis of long COVID - 15 new studies across the UK will expand research into long COVID to support thousands of vulnerable people, backed by nearly £20 million through the NIHR. Click here to read more.
• Frontline health and care staff can work rather than self-isolate - From Monday 19 July, double vaccinated frontline NHS and social care staff in England who have been told to self-isolate will be permitted to attend work in exceptional circumstances and replaced by testing mitigations. To read the full press release, click here.

[added 05.07]

• 3 in 5 UK adults receive both doses of COVID-19 vaccine - Over 60% of UK adults have been vaccinated with a second dose of the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, giving them the fullest possible protection. To read more, click here. 
• Update on Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK - Last updated on the 2nd July includes that PHE’s weekly COVID-19 variant cases data show that numbers of the Delta (VOC-21APR-02) variant in the UK have risen by 50,824 since last week to a total of 161,981. This represents a 46% increase. Of these, 42 are the Delta AY.1 sub lineage. To read more, click here.
• COVID-19 vaccines have prevented 7.2 million infections and 27,000 deaths - New analysis suggests the vaccination programme has prevented between 6.4 and 7.9 million infections and 26,000 and 28,000 deaths in England alone. To read more, click here.
• Most vulnerable could be offered booster COVID-19 vaccines from September - Millions of people most vulnerable to COVID-19 may be offered a booster vaccination from September to ensure the protection they have from first and second doses is maintained ahead of the winter and against new variants, following interim advice from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI). These boosters aim to ensure protection from COVID-19 is maintained ahead of winter and against new variants. To read more, click here.
• UK exceeds 600,000 COVID-19 tests genomically sequenced - Genomic sequencing has made a crucial contribution to the fight against the virus by rapidly identifying variants of concern, understanding transmission and slowing their spread. To read more, click here.
• New research shows 2 million people may have had long COVID - Findings from the REACT-2 studies show over a third of people who had coronavirus (COVID-19) reported symptoms lasting at least 12 weeks. This amounts to 5.8% of the whole study population, with 2% reporting severe symptoms. Click here to read more.
• Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing before you travel to England - You must have proof of a negative COVID-19 test to travel to England from abroad. Update on 25th June to include that from 4am 5 July 2021, you will need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test to travel to England from Myanmar. Click here to read more.
• Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions - Jobs that qualify for exemptions from quarantine, passenger locator form or COVID testing requirements. Updated on 29 June 2021 - Added new exemptions for business directors and in-flight security officers. Updated exemptions for aerospace engineers, overseas elite sportspersons, non-UK border security officials and regular work abroad. Click here to read more.
• Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19): student sponsors, migrants and short-term students - Updated on 2 July 2021 including many changes which can be found on Page 5. Click here to access.
• Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - Since the last update, this guidance has been updated multiple times. Please see below and can access the guidance here.
• 1. 5 July 2021

     Updated section 'If you're outside the UK and your leave has expired before you are able to return' as the concession has been extended to 19 July 2021.

  2. 1 July 2021

     Updated information under the If you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life section.

  3. 29 June 2021

     Date until which people may apply for 'exceptional assurance' extended to 30 September 2021.

  4. 24 June 2021

     Guidance added for people whose Entry Clearance was not activated because of COVID-19 restrictions.

[added 21.06]

• Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK - updated on the 18th June that the Delta variant cases continue to rise by 33,630 since last week to a total of 75,953. The most recent data show 99% of sequenced and genotyped cases across the country are the Delta variant. Click here to read more.
• 4 in 5 adults receive first dose of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine - Over 42 million first doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered across the UK. More than 4 in 5 adults in the UK have received their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, as the vaccination programme continues at unprecedented pace and scale. With 72,891,861 doses administered in total, 42,216,654 people across the UK have now been vaccinated with a first dose (80%), while 30,675,207 people have had both doses (58%). Click here to read more.
• Everyone working in care homes to be fully vaccinated under new law to protect residents - The new legislation means from October – subject to Parliamentary approval and a subsequent 16-week grace period – anyone working in a CQC-registered care home in England for residents requiring nursing or personal care must have 2 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine unless they have a medical exemption. Click here to read more.
• Updated guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions - this update includes Corrected air crew exemption wording. Click here to access.
• Updated guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): bereavement scheme for family members of NHS and health and social care workers - Updated on the 16th June to clarify that, in exceptional and compelling circumstances, wider family members may also be granted ILR and consideration may also be given to those whose permission has expired. Click here to access.
• Updated guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - Updated on the 18th June to include date of the VAC concessions has been extended until 31 December 2021. Click here to access.
• Vaccines highly effective against hospitalisation from Delta variant - New analysis by PHE shows for the first time that 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against hospitalisation from the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant. Click here to read more.
• Vaccination programme accelerated as Step 4 is paused - The Prime Minister annouced that Step 4 will be delayed by up to four weeks and the vaccination programme accelerated to respond to the rapid spread of the Delta variant. Click here to read the press release.
• Care home residents can stay overnight as visiting restrictions ease - Care home residents will be able to spend more time with family and friends as it has been annouced that overnight stays are permitted as part of the easing of visiting restrictions. Click here to read more.
• UK to donate 100 million coronavirus vaccine doses - The UK will donate 100 million surplus coronavirus vaccine doses to the world within the next year. Available in Arabic, Russian and Thai. Click here to access.
• £16 million to support young people with a social worker - Funding boost to help level up opportunities for children and young people in social care. Children with a social worker in England will benefit from further dedicated support in school and at college to help level up their outcomes in education and reach their full potential. Click here to read more.
• New national surveillance of possible COVID-19 reinfection, published by PHE - New data suggests a low risk of COVID-19 reinfection in the population. The current data shows that there is a low risk of reinfection with SARS-CoV-2. There were 15,893 possible reinfections with SARS-CoV-2 identified up to 30 May 2021 in England throughout the pandemic, out of nearly 4 million people with confirmed infections. This is equivalent to around 0.4% cases becoming reinfected. Click here to read more.
• (COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do - Updated in line with new rules from 21 June. There are updates 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, care home visits and domestic residential visits for children. Click here to read more.

[added 15.06]

• Updated coronavirus (COVID-19): student sponsors, migrants and short-term students - updated on the 11th June. These changes include 'Updates to paragraphs 3.7, 3.9 and, 3.24'. Click here to access.
• Updated coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - updated on the 11th June. These changes include updates to section: "If you’re applying for a visitor visa". Click here to access.
• UK to donate 100 million coronavirus vaccine doses - The UK will donate 100 million surplus coronavirus vaccine doses to the world within the next year, the Prime Minister has announced on the 11th June. Click here to read more.
• Care home residents can stay overnight as visiting restrictions ease - Care home residents will be able to spend more time with family and friends. Every resident can nominate an ‘essential care giver’ to provide additional support during visits. To read more, click here.
• Vaccines highly effective against hospitalisation from Delta variant - New analysis by PHE shows for the first time that 2 doses of COVID-19 vaccines are highly effective against hospitalisation from the Delta (B.1.617.2) variant. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is 96% effective against hospitalisation after 2 doses. The Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine is 92% effective against hospitalisation after 2 doses. To read more, click here.
• UK convenes health and humanitarian leaders to accelerate efforts to vaccinate the most vulnerable - The UK Mission to the United Nations in Geneva convened high-level representatives from diplomatic missions, international organisations and NGOs for a candid discussion about how we can ensure equitable access to vaccines for the world’s most vulnerable communities. To read more, click here.
• Rapid genotyping test speeds up availability of Delta data as cases continue to rise - Novel genotyping tests are being used to detect the Delta (VOC-21APR-02) variant, giving a result for action within 48 hours. As cases of the variant continue to rise, the tests are helping to rapidly inform public health action. Data from these tests is available for the first time this week, as PHE figures show that cases have risen by 29,892 to 42,323. The data indicates that over 90% of new COVID-19 cases in the UK are now the Delta variant, which continues to show a significantly higher rate of growth compared to the Alpha variant. To read more, click here.
• Over 70 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered in UK - More than 55.4% of people in the UK vaccinated with both doses for the fullest possible protection. Over 70 million COVID-19 vaccines have now been administered to adults in the UK, the latest figures published Friday 11 June show, as the vaccination programme continues at unprecedented pace and scale. To read more, click here.
• Oral statement on easing of coronavirus restrictions - Speech by the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care in House of Commons on the easing of coronavirus restrictions where it is was announced that Step 4 out of lockdown will not go ahead, but instead pause for four weeks, until 19th July with a review of the data after two weeks. To access the full report, click here.

[added 07.06]

• Updated guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - Updated on the 1st June to include ''If you intend to stay in the UK' section - updated guidance on being able to exceptionally make an application in the UK under Covid-19 concessions'. Click here to read more.
• The MHRA concludes positive safety profile for Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine in 12- to 15-year-olds - An extension to the current UK approval of the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine that allows its use in 12- to 15-year-olds has today been authorised by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). This follows a rigorous review of the safety, quality and effectiveness of the vaccine in this age group by the MHRA and the Government’s independent advisory body, the Commission on Human Medicines (CHM). To read more, click here.
• Changes to the governments traffic light system for travel - The first update to the government’s traffic light list for international travel has taken place today (Thursday 3 June 2021), with Portugal moved to the amber list to safeguard public health against variants of concern and protect our vaccine rollout. Seven countries – including Sri Lanka and Egypt – have also been added to the red list. All changes to the lists will come into effect at 4am on Tuesday 8 June. To read more, click here.
• Surge testing to be deployed in Derbyshire - Surge testing being deployed in Derbyshire following the identification of a small number of confirmed cases of the variant first identified in India, B1.617.2. Everyone aged 5 and over who lives or works in this area is strongly encouraged to take a COVID-19 PCR test from 3rd June, whether they are showing symptoms or not. Click here to read more.
• Government report shows improving vaccine confidence among ethnic minority groups - the Minister for Equalities Kemi Badenoch MP and COVID hero GP, Dr Farzana Hussain, will issue a joint call for everyone to take the vaccine when they are offered it as evidence shows vaccine confidence has steadily increased among ethnic minorities. Click here to read more.
• Local data available on confirmed cases of SARS-CoV-2 variants in UK - On the 3rd June, a link to local authority data was added which can be found here.
• Three quarters of UK adults vaccinated with first dose - More than three quarters of UK adults have received a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, the latest figures published today (2 June) show, as the vaccination programme continues at pace. Health services across the UK have now administered over 65.6 million vaccines between 8 December and 1 June, including over 39.5 million people with their first dose (75.2%) and over 26 million with both doses (49.5%), ensuring they have the strongest possible protection against COVID-19 from a second dose. To read more, click here.
• Care leavers and homeless people could receive extra housing support - Thousands of vulnerable people, including care leavers, will get more cash to pay their rent, thanks to changes to housing benefits. These changes are coming into force from Monday 31 May 2021 – two years earlier than scheduled. Increases to the Shared Accommodation Rate (SAR) are expected to benefit thousands of Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants, and have been introduced more than two years earlier than the original implementation date of October 2023. To read more, click here.

[added 24.05]

• COVID-19: guidance for those leading a nomadic way of life - UK Gov has produced some guidance for people “leading a nomadic way of life”. It includes information on self-isolation, accessing healthcare, and reducing the risk of transmission. To access, click here.
• Government guidance on renting and evictions - on the 17th May, the government updated their guidance on renting and evictions. To access the guidance, click here.
• Official: NHS Test and Trace: what to do if you are contacted - Updated on the 17th May and 20th May to include changes to reflect the COVID-19 response - spring 2021 roadmap changes from 17 May as well as a warning about new COVID-19 variant added. To access, click here.
• Official guidance on how to get a test - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for publishing a summary of the guidance on how to get a test. Click here to read more or here to access the guidance.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions - Updated on the 17th May to include Green list country requirements and exemptions and updated on the 19th May to include seafarers working on cruise ships no longer exempt from red list requirements. To access this guidance, click here.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Student sponsors, migrants and short-term students - Guidance for Student sponsors, migrants and short-term students on temporary concessions in response to the outbreak of coronavirus. These changes are varies. Click here to access the guidance.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - updated on 19th May to include concession for people who are outside the UK, and their leave has expired before they were able to return, has been extended to 21 June 2021. Click here to access.
• Red, amber and green list rules for entering England - Countries rated as red, amber or green for Coronavirus (COVID-19) and the rules you must follow to enter England. What you must do when you arrive in England from abroad depends on where you have been in the 10 days before you arrive. This page lists countries and territories as red, amber or green and tells you what you must do if you have been in those countries or territories. Click here to access.
• Traffic light system: safe return to international travel - From 17 May, the ‘Stay in the UK’ regulation will cease and international travel will be allowed to restart, governed by a new traffic light system. Click here to acess the new system.
• Support for renters continues with longer notice periods - Renters will continue to be supported as national COVID-19 restrictions ease. Four-month notice periods for most tenants until at least end of September. Click here to access.
• Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK - Public Health England’s (PHE) latest weekly variant cases data shows that cases of VOC-21APR-02 have risen by 2,111 to 3,424 since last week. Cases are still predominantly affecting the North West of England – particularly Bolton – and London, but are seeing clusters of cases across the country. Click here for more information.
• Most vulnerable offered second dose of COVID-19 vaccine earlier to help protect against variants - The country’s most vulnerable are to be offered their second COVID-19 vaccine earlier, the government has announced, as part of plans to tackle rising cases of the B1.617.2 variant of concern first identified in India. To read more, click here.
• Councils given further £200 million in next stage of successful rough sleeping programme - More rough sleepers are set to be helped off the streets and into safe accommodation thanks to a further £203 million funding. Click here to read more.
• More than 20 million UK adults receive both doses of COVID-19 vaccine - More than 36 million people in the UK have been vaccinated with 1 dose and 20 million have received 2 doses. Health services across the UK have now administered a total of 56,677,012 million vaccines between 8 December and 15 May, including 36,573,354 million people with their first dose (69.4%) and 20,103,658 million with their second (38.2%). To read more, click here.
• Public reminded to let in fresh air when meeting others indoors to reduce the spread of COVID-19 - Government launches new campaign backed by medical experts, scientists and businesses urging the public to open windows when meeting friends and family indoors. Click here to read more.
• 7 in 10 UK adults receive first dose of coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine - Health services across the UK have now administered 57.8 million vaccines, including 36.9 million people with their first dose and 20.8 million with both doses. More than 70% of adults in the UK have been vaccinated with a first dose of a coronavirus (COVID-19) jab. To read more, click here.
• Government launches new pilots to further support people to self-isolate - Health Secretary unveils new self-isolation support pilots for 9 areas across England with higher coronavirus (COVID-19) rates. Local authorities will pilot alternative accommodation and translation help to further support those who have to self-isolate. The areas that will receive funding for these pilots are: Newham; Yorkshire and Humber; Lancashire, Blackburn & Darwen, Blackpool; Greater Manchester; Cheshire and Merseyside; Royal Borough of Kingston; Hackney; Peterborough, Fenland and South Holland, and Somerset. To read more, click here.
• World-first COVID-19 vaccine booster study launches in UK - New government-funded clinical trial looking at different COVID-19 ‘booster’ vaccines launches in the UK. Thousands of volunteers will receive a booster COVID-19 vaccine in a new clinical trial launching today, Health Secretary Matt Hancock has announced. To read more, click here.
• Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 - UK.gov have produced updated Guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19. Translations have however been removed. Click here to acces the guidance.
• (COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do -  Step 3 and Updated guidance for areas where the new COVID-19 variant is spreading. To access, click here.
• Public reminded to let in fresh air when meeting others indoors to reduce the spread of COVID-19 - Government launches new campaign backed by medical experts, scientists and businesses urging the public to open windows when meeting friends and family indoors. Click here to access.

[added 10.05]

• Further easing of COVID restrictions confirmed for 17 May -The Roadmap is on track and planned Step 3 easements will go ahead on 17 May, the Prime Minister has confirmed. Click here to read the press release.
• Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - updated on the 5th May to read the below 'If you are in a red list country and wish to apply for a visitor in transit or direct airside transit visa (DATV) we are now able to process your application, as the pause on issuing transit visas has been lifted'. Click here to access.
• One dose of COVID-19 vaccine can cut household transmission by up to half -A new study by Public Health England (PHE) has shown that one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine reduces household transmission by up to half. This new research shows that those who do become infected 3 weeks after receiving one dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech or AstraZeneca vaccine were between 38% and 49% less likely to pass the virus on to their household contacts than those who were unvaccinated. To access the press release, click here.
• Flagship summer schools programme opens today to help students recover lost learning - Schools in England can now register to offer a summer school to help children recover learning they have lost during the pandemic. Summer schools will include a variety of activities from group activities such as sports to mental health support and academic catch up such as maths and English lessons. To read more, click here.
• Government confirms traffic light list ahead of cautious return to international travel - International leisure travel from England no longer illegal from 17 May 2021 but strict border control measures will remain in place. 12 countries and territories are added to the ‘green list’. The traffic list system rated countries can be found here and the announcement can be found here.
• 50 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered in UK - More than 34 million people have had at least one jab while 15 million have had both doses of the vaccine. Data from Public Health England (PHE)’s real-world study shows the vaccines are already having a significant impact in the UK, reducing hospitalisations and saving more than 10,000 lives in England alone by the end of March. To read more, click here.
• JCVI advises on COVID-19 vaccine for people aged under 40 - The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has issued advice to the UK government on the use of the coronavirus (COVID-19) Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine for people aged under 40. Click here to read more.
• Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK - Following a rise in cases in the UK and evidence of community transmission, PHE has reclassified VUI-21APR-02 (B.1.617.2, classified as a Variant Under Investigation (VUI) on 28 April) as a Variant of Concern (VOC), now known as VOC-21APR-02. This is based on evidence which suggests this variant, first detected in India, is at least as transmissible as B.1.1.7 (the Kent variant). The other characteristics of this variant are still being investigated. To read more, click here.

[added 26.04]

• Updated coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance: advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - updated on the 21st April which included  a change to the expiry date for free visa extensions for NHS workers to 30 September 2021. Click here to read more.
• Updated coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance: jobs that qualify for travel exemptions - updated on the 23rd April to include that nurses from red list countries coming to take up NHS employment added to exempt jobs list. Click here to read more.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): red list travel ban countries - India added to red list 4am, Friday 23 April. Click here to access the full list of 'Red Countries'.
• Self-Employment Income Support Scheme fourth grant now available - as of 21st April, the grant is now available and guidance has been published on how to make a claim, how the grant is treated and information on further support. Click here to read more.
• Statement on vaccination progress and new variants - the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care gave a statement on 19th April on the vacination progress and the new varient where it was stated that daily deaths are down by 98% as well as people in hospital is down by 94%. To access the oral statement, click here.
• JCVI issues new advice on COVID-19 vaccination for pregnant women - The JCVI has advised that pregnant women should be offered the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the rest of the population, based on their age and clinical risk group. Click here to read more.
• 10 million people receive second dose of COVID-19 vaccine - The milestone means almost 1 in 5 adults (19% of all UK adults) have received both vaccines. Health services across the UK have now administered a total of 43,084,487 million vaccines between 8 December and 18 April, including 32,932,448 million people with their first dose and 10,152,039 million with their second. To read more, click here.
• Face-to-face assessments to resume for health and disability benefits by DWP - Face-to-face assessments for Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB) claimants will resume from 12 April 2021 in England and from 26 April in Scotland and Wales. Face-to-face assessments for Work Capability Assessments (WCAs) (for claims for the additional health amount of Universal Credit and Employment and Support Allowance) and Personal Independence Payment (PIP), will resume from May across England and Scotland and in Wales from the point on their roadmap when socialising indoors is allowed. To read more, click here.

[added 12.04]

• New JCVI advice on use of the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine - The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has issued advice to the government on the use of the AstraZeneca coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine, following reports of extremely rare blood clots in a very small number of people. Click here to read the press release.
• Visas extended for thousands of frontline health and care workers - Free one-year visa extensions will be automatically granted to eligible overseas health and care workers whose visas were due to expire before 1 October 2021. This will mean that doctors, nurses, paramedics, midwives, occupational therapists, psychologists and others will be able to continue their crucial work in the fight against coronavirus. Click here to read the full press release.

[added 08.04]

• MHRA issues new advice, concluding a possible link between COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca and extremely rare, unlikely to occur blood clots - Medicines and Healthcare products Regulaory Agency advise that the benefits of vaccination continue to outweigh any risks but advise careful consideration be given to people who are at higher risk of specific types of blood clots because of their medical condition. To access the press release, click here.
• Countries added to red list to protect UK against variants of concern - there is guidance available to inform individuals of which countries entry to the UK is banned (known as red list countries). Most recently, The Philippines, Pakistan, Kenya and Bangladesh to be added to England’s red list from 9 April 2021. The full list can be accessed here.
• Twice weekly rapid testing to be available to everyone in England - Everyone in England, including those without symptoms, will be able to take a free rapid coronavirus (COVID-19) test twice a week, the government has announced on the 5th April. To read more about this, click here to access the press release.
• Further easing of Covid restrictions confirmed for 12 April - on the 5th April, the Prim Minister annouced that there will be further easing of COVID restrictions as planned from the 12th April. These include outdoor hospitiality, non-essential shops, personal care premises as well as gyms and spas. To read the announcement, click here or to access the road map, click here.
• Face coverings in schools and colleges to remain in place - Face coverings in schools and colleges are to remain in place at start of summer term, following an ongoing review of the evidence and data. This cautious approach will help limit the risk of transmission and enable continued monitoring of the effect of school and college returns, as twice weekly testing is established and embedded in pupil’s routines. To read more about this, click here.
• Updated coronavirus (COVID-19): Student sponsors - updated on 30th March 2021, which included information on contacting the general immigration helpline. To access the full guidance, click here.
• Updated coronavirus (COVID-19): Worker and temporary worker sponsors - also updated on 30th March 2021, which included information on contacting the general immigration helpline. To access the full guidance, click here.

[added 29.03]

• Updated coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions - on 28th March this guidance was updated to include to reflect new COVID-19 testing regimes for UK inbound passengers coming into force on 6 April 2021. To read more, click here.
• Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - on 26th March, this guidance was updated to include 'Under 'Applying for a visa if your visa application centre (VAC) is closed', the date by which you can use the alternative arrangements has been extended to 30 June 2021. (It was previously 31 March 2021.)'. Click here to access.
• Workplace testing programme expands to offer free rapid home testing - Over 60,000 businesses across the country have already registered their interest to provide rapid tests to key workers. From 6 April, the workplace testing programme will supply home test kits to companies with over 10 workers where it is not possible to set up testing on-site, due to a lack of space or because companies operate across multiple sites. To read more, click here.
• Health charities back vaccines drive for those at risk - People with underlying conditions including cancer, diabetes and heart disease are encouraged to come forward for a COVID-19 vaccine by leading UK health charities. For more informaiton, click here to read more.
• Normal jobcentre opening hours resume from 12 April - From 12 April, jobcentres in England, Scotland and Wales will return to their pre-lockdown opening hours. To read the press release, click here.
• Half of all adults in UK receive first dose of COVID-19 vaccine - The UK health services vaccinated a total of 26.8 million people between 8 December and 19 March with first doses, while 2.1 million people have had their second dose so far. Almost 95% of people aged 60 and over have been vaccinated. To read more on the press release, click here.
• Next phase of £165 million programme for vulnerable families launched - The next phase of the government’s flagship programme to support some of the most vulnerable families in society has been launched by Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick on 26 March 2021, backed by £165 million funding. The newly named ‘Supporting Families’ programme, previously known as the ‘Troubled Families’ programme, includes work to support people to leave abusive relationships, get the right joined-up support for those with mental health issues and help people to find work – all part of the government’s comprehensive programme of work to support and unite communities. To read more, click here.
• New study finds strong immune response following COVID-19 vaccination - Study led by Sheffield and Oxford Universities finds that 99% of people have robust immune response against COVID-19 after one dose of Pfizer vaccine. The study also sheds light on the impact of previous infection from COVID-19 on people’s immune response to vaccination. To read the full findings, click here.
• Further support for commercial and residential tenants - Ban on commercial evictions extended to 30 June to ensure businesses are supported as they re-open as well as Six-month notice periods and bailiff enforced eviction ban extended to 31 May to protect residential tenants. Click here to read more of the press release. 

[added 10.03]

• National Lockdown: Stay At Home Guidance updated - to include information on new rules and restrictions from 8 March. Click here to read. 
• Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions - Updated information on 5th March includes - Exemptions for completing the declaration form for overseas travel added'. Click here to access the guidance. 
• New guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): Student sponsors - Published on 3rd March, this is advice for UK sponsors whose students are affected by coronavirus (COVID-19). To access, click here.
• Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19): Student sponsors, migrants and short-term students - Updated on 4th March - Updated document, changes are summarised on page 5. Click here to access.
• Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - Updated on the 4th March to include - Updated guidance in the 'if you intend to stay in the UK' section. To access, click here.
• £79 million to boost mental health support for children and young people - Announced on 5th March, the number of mental health support teams in schools and colleges will grow from 59 to 400 by April 2023, supporting nearly 3 million children. Access to community mental health services will also be expanded, giving 22,500 more children and young people access to help and support by 2021 to 2022 – including talking therapies and cognitive behavioural therapy. To read more, click here.

[added 01.03]

• Updated Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - updated on 1st March 2021 - Amended 'If you're in the UK' section, updating exceptional assurance visa or leave expiry dates to between 1 March 2021 and 31 March 2021. Click here to access updated version.
• New education recovery package for children and young people - New £700 million plan laid out to help young people in England catch up on lost learning due to the pandemic. To read this press release, click here.
• All households with children of school age to get 2 rapid COVID-19 tests per person per week - Whole families and households with primary school, secondary school and college age children, including childcare and support bubbles, will be able to test themselves twice every week from home as schools return from 8 March. To read more, click here.
• Confirmed cases of COVID-19 variants identified in UK - Updated on 28th Feb included 'Cases of Variant of Concern first detected in Manaus identified in the UK'.. To access, click here.

[added 24.02]

• Mass testing for secondary pupils as all schools and colleges fully reopen from 8 March - Schools and colleges to reopen to all pupils from 8 March with asymptomatic COVID-19 testing in place. To read more, click here.
• PM statement to the House of Commons on roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions in England: 22 February 2021 - Prime Minister Boris Johnson made a statement to the House of Commons on the roadmap for easing lockdown restrictions in England. Click here to access details on the roadmap.
• First real-world UK data shows Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine provides high levels of protection from the first dose - PHE has published the first independent analysis in the UK showing the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine is effective against COVID-19 from the first dose. Click here to read more.

[added 22.02]

• Updated guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing before you travel to England - Myanmar added to list of countries where you do not need to take a coronavirus test before travel to England. Click here to read more.
• Updated guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions - Further details have been added about testing, self-isolation and quarantine rules. Click here to read more.
• Prime Minister to publish roadmap for cautiously easing COVID restrictions - The Prime Minister will set out the government’s roadmap for cautiously easing lockdown restrictions in England. He will set out the latest data on infection rates, hospitalisations and deaths, as well as early data showing the efficacy of vaccines. The roadmap for leaving lockdown, which will be published on gov.uk on Monday, will seek to balance health, economic and social factors with the very latest epidemiological data and advice. To read more, click here.
• The most vulnerable and health and care workers offered COVID-19 jab as government hits target to protect those most at risk - Everyone most at risk from coronavirus has now been offered a vaccination, with more than 15 million jabs achieved in less than 10 weeks. To read more about this, click here.

[added 16.02]

• Government confirms mandatory hotel quarantine to be introduced from 15 February - From 15 February anyone travelling to the UK from a country on the UK’s travel ban list will be required to quarantine in a government-approved facility for 10 days. To read more about this, click here.
• Updated guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - on 15th Feburary, added new information under "New coronavirus testing and quarantine rules" section. Click here to access.
• Updated guidance Coronavirus (COVID-19) testing before you travel to England - Updated on 11th February, information about new testing, self-isolation and quarantine rules from 15 February. Click here to access.
• Updated guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): travel corridors - on 11th February, this guidance was updated to include new testing, self-isolation and quarantine rules from 15 February. Click here to access.
• Housing Secretary extends support for renters during pandemic - Renters will continue to be supported during the ongoing national lockdown restrictions, with an extension to the ban on bailiff evictions for another 6 weeks - until 31 March 2021. Click here to read more.
• NHS COVID-19 app alerts 1.7 million contacts to stop spread of COVID-19 - Over 1.7 million users have been asked to isolate as a result of a close contact since launch, helping to break chains of transmission. The app has now been downloaded 21.63 million times, representing 56% of the eligible population aged 16+ with a smartphone and was the second most downloaded free iPhone app on the Apple App Store in 2020. To read more, click here.
• Over 3 million rapid coronavirus tests in schools and colleges - More than 3 million rapid coronavirus tests have been conducted in schools and colleges in England since 4 January 2021, figures published today show. To read more, click here.

[added 12.02]

• Government confirms mandatory hotel quarantine to be introduced from 15 February - From 15 February anyone travelling to the UK from a country on the UK’s travel ban list will be required to quarantine in a government-approved facility for 10 days. Click here to read more.

[added 08.02]

• Updated guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - on Friday 5th February, updated guidance for 'If you're applying for a visitor visa, visa in transit or direct airside transit visa (DAT)'. Added guidance for 'If you've remained outside the UK for over 2 years and due to coronavirus travel restrictions your indefinite leave has lapsed'. Added guidance for those who have already obtained a Returning Resident visa because their indefinite leave lapsed on or after 24 January 2020. Click here to access.

[added 29.01]

• Updated guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - The guidance was updated on 27th January to include "If you're outside the UK' section to include information about applying for a visa to the UK as well as "The concessions to the family and private life section have been extended until 31 May 2021". To read more, click here.

[added 27.01]

• How to self-isolate when you travel to England - Guidance on how to self isolate when you travel to England has been updated on 22nd January to include links to the list of countries with travel bans and to pre-departure testing guidance. Click here to access.
• Student finance eligibility: 2021 to 2022 academic year - The Government has published the latest guidance on studying in the UK and eligibility for student finance for 2021-2022. Click here to access.
• Reporting centres and reporting requirements - on 25th January 2021, interim guidance was published by the Home Office. his interim guidance sets out the reporting and offender management (ROM) policy on reporting for individuals during the ongoing Coronavirus situation. To access, click here.

[added 25.01]

• Update guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): Worker, Temporary Worker and Student sponsors - on 18 January 2021, added information on sector exemptions being removed for travel ban countries. Click here to read more.
• Updated guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - on 18 January 2021, Updated content under 'If you intend to stay in the UK' section as well as on 17 January 2021, Updated exceptional assurance visa expiry dates to 1 January 2021 and 28 February 2021. Click here to access and read more.

[added 15.01]

• Jobcentre guidance on new national COVID restrictions - After the national lockdown annoucement, DWP published guidance on the new restrictions. This means from 5 January 2021 until further notice, the following updated jobcentre guidance will apply to customers in England, and will ensure essential support is provided whilst keeping colleagues and customers safe. Click here to access.
• Guidance for enabling safe and effective volunteering during coronavirus (COVID-19) - This guidance aims to help organisations and groups understand how to safely and effectively involve volunteers during the pandemic. Click here to access.
• Extra covid protections for rough sleepers and renters  - Extra support to house rough sleepers and ban on bailiff enforced evictions extended. Click here to read more.

[added 12.01]

• Updated guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions - updated on 8th January - All arrivals from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Seychelles, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe must self-isolate. Click here to read more.
• Update guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): Worker, Temporary Worker and Student sponsors - updated on 6th January, altered guidance surrounding students deferring their studies for periods in excess of 60 days as well as Added information on Occupational Structured Clinical Examination deadline extension. Click here to read more.
• Updated guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - updated on 7th January - the guidance now includes added information on Occupational Structured Clinical Examination deadline extension as well as added continuation of service notice regarding new coronavirus restrictions. Click here to access the guidance.
• Asymptomatic testing to be rolled out across the country starting this week - Community testing offer to be expanded across all local authorities in England to test people without symptoms. Click here to read more.
• United Arab Emirates removed from travel corridor list - People returning to the UK from the UAE will need to self-isolate for 10 days, as the country has been removed from the travel corridor. Click here to read more.
• International travel update, 11 January 2021 - From 4am on 15 January 2021, pre-departure testing will be required for all inbound passengers to England. Click here to read more.

[added 07.01]

• First people to receive Oxford University/AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine today - The first people will receive the Oxford University/AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine today (4 January 2021) as the NHS rapidly expands COVID-19 vaccination programmes across the UK. Click here to read more.
• NHS Test and Trace told a record number of people to self-isolate over Christmas week - During the week of 24 to 30 December, 684,747 people who had tested positive, and their contacts, were reached and told to self-isolate. Click here to read more.
• Letter to Commissioners for Domestic Abuse and Victims about coronavirus (COVID-19) - The Home Secretary, Priti Patel, writes to the Domestic Abuse Commissioner and the Victims Commissioner about the government response to COVID-19. Click here to read the letter.
• Guidance if you are visiting your local coastline this winter - The Maritime and Coastguard Agency have produced guidance on when visiting your local coastline please take care and follow the rules and social distancing guidelines according to the guidance for your area. Click here to access the guidance.
• £4.6 billion in new lockdown grants to support businesses and protect jobs - Businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors are to receive a one-off grant worth up to £9,000, the Chancellor has announced. To read more about the announcement, click here.

[added 05.01]

• Prime Minister announces national lockdown - The Prime Minister has announced a national lockdown and instructed people to stay at home to control the virus, protect the NHS and save lives. From 5th January, the national lockdown will come into force. Click here to read more.
• NHS Test and Trace reaches record number of people as demand increases significantly - Nearly 2.4 million people were tested at least once between 17 and 23 December. Everybody who needs a test is still able to get one, despite huge increase in demand. To read more about the effects of this, click here.
• Updated government guidance on Coronavirus (COVID-19): Worker, Temporary Worker and Student sponsors - updated on the 4th January, updated content under 'If you’re sponsoring an employee who’s waiting for their work visa application to be decided'. Click here to access.

[added 18.12]

• Government announces new funding boost for councils - Councils across England will receive £51.2 billion next year – an increase of £2.2 billion from last year. To read more, click here.
• Review of local restriction tiers: 17 December 2020 - A written statement from the Health and Social Care Secretary to the House of Commons giving an update on local restriction tiers in England. To read the statement, click here.
• Chancellor extends furlough and loan schemes -  The furlough scheme has been extended until the end of April 2021 with the government continuing to contribute 80% towards wages – giving businesses and employees across the UK certainty into the New Year, the Chancellor announced today. To read more, click here.
• Government publishes list of approved COVID-19 test providers - The list of private providers of COVID-19 testing will help employers and individuals set up their own COVID-19 testing programmes. Click here to access the list.

[added 17.12]

• Vulnerable families to benefit from additional package of support - More than £4m to extend Covid response programmes supporting vulnerable families. An extra £4.2 million will go to a coalition of charities to continue the ‘See, Hear, Respond’ programme until March 2021, supporting vulnerable children who fall below the threshold for statutory support and early help, including those in need of crisis support due to the pandemic. To read more, click here.
• Joint working improving children’s access to mental health services - the joint report from Ofsted, Care Quality Commission (CQC), HMI Constabulary, Fire & Rescue Services (HMICFRS) and HMI Probation looks at how partners in 6 local authority areas are working together to help children with mental ill health. The report is based on inspections carried out between September 2019 and February 2020 – before the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Launch of £46 million 'Changing Futures' scheme to support vulnerable people - New scheme to help adults across England facing multiple disadvantages like homelessness and mental health issues. The government is inviting local organisations to form partnerships and bid for a share of the funding to better support those who experience multiple disadvantages including homelessness, substance misuse, mental health issues, domestic abuse, and contact with the criminal justice system. Click here to read more.
• New NHS Test and Trace plan to support return to more normal way of life - The NHS Test and Trace business plan sets out a strategy to increase the speed and reach of testing and tracing, working with local partnerships.To access the strategy, click here.
• DVLA releases latest scam images to help keep motorists safe online - The scams ask drivers to verify their driving licence details, offer vehicle tax refunds, highlight a failed vehicle tax payment and ask for bank details. This comes as new figures released by the agency for the 3 months to September this year, show a 603% increase in reports to their contact centre of fraudulent emails, texts and phone calls, compared to the same period in 2019. Click here to read more.
• London, South Essex, and South Hertfordshire to move to Tier 3 restrictions -Tier 3 Restrictions will apply in all 32 London boroughs and the City of London, parts of Essex and parts of Hertfordshire from the beginning of Wednesday 16 December as well as updates will be given today (17th Dec) on the rest of the country.
• Secondary schools and colleges to get weekly coronavirus testing - Every secondary school and college in England, as well as special schools and alternative provision, will have access to rapid coronavirus testing from January to help keep staff and students as safe as possible and in education, the government has announced. To read more, click here.

[added 04.12]

• Videos on COVID vaccine in different languages - The first-ever Covid vaccine has been approved for use in the UK and immunisations could start next week. BBC Asian Network have shared some videos why vaccinations are important for fighting coronavirus in Urdu, Punjabi, Tamil, Gujarati, Sylheti. 

[added 02.12]

• UK authorises Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine - Government authorises first COVID-19 vaccine on independent advice of medicines regulator. “Further details will be set out shortly. Click here to read the press release.
• Festive travel tips for people considering overseas travel - People thinking about going abroad over the festive period should read the advice from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO). Click here to read the advice.
• National Living Wage increase to protect workers' living standards - The Government announced on 25th November the National Living Wage (NLW) and National Minimum Wage (NMW) rates which will come into force from April 2021. It accepted in full recommendations made by the Low Pay Commission at the end of October. Click here to read.
• Jobcentre guidance on COVID-19 Local Restriction Tiers - Jobcentres will remain open, as they have throughout the pandemic, to provide essential services to those we cannot help remotely. Click here to read more and find out the difference in how they operate in the tiers.

[added 26.11]

• Tier system updated ahead of restrictions on 2nd December - This page sets out the full list of local restriction tiers by area from Wednesday 2 December 2020. To access the list click here, or to check by your postcode, click here.
• Making a Christmas bubble with friends and family - Between 23 and 27 December: - to read the whole article, click here
  • you can form an exclusive ‘Christmas bubble’ composed of people from no more than three households
  • you can only be in one Christmas bubble
  • you cannot change your Christmas bubble
  • you can travel between tiers and UK nations for the purposes of meeting your Christmas bubble
  • you can only meet your Christmas bubble in private homes or in your garden, places of worship, or public outdoor spaces
  • you can continue to meet people who are not in your Christmas bubble outside your home according to the rules in the tier where you are staying
  • you cannot meet someone in a private dwelling who is not part of your household or Christmas bubble. 

[added 24.11]

• Update to Government guidance on advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - Updated on 23rd November includes information about how to submit request for exceptional assurance because of technical difficulties with the online form. Click here to read more.

[added 20.11]

• Thousands more health workers to benefit from visa extensions - More than 6,000 frontline health workers will have their visas extended for a year for free, including doctors, nurses and paramedics. This follows an announcement earlier in the year offering free visa extensions for health professionals whose visas were due to expire between 31 March 2020 and 1 October 2020. Today’s decision will extend that offer from 1 October 2020 until 31 March 2021. Click here to read more.
• New additions to the travel corridor lists for England, Wales and Northern Ireland - Israel, Jerusalem, Namibia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka, Uruguay, Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba, the Northern Mariana Islands and the US Virgin Islands added to list of Travel Corridors for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Click here to read this article, or here to access the up to date travel corridor list.
• Update to Government guidance on jobs that qualify for travel exemptions - updated on the 17th November - Exemption for seasonal poultry workers added. Click here to access the guidance.
• Update to Government guidance on advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - Updated UK Visa Application Centres (VAC) concession to 31 March 2021. Click here to access.
• Self Assessment customers warned about scammers posing as HMRC - As the department issues thousands of SMS messages and emails as part of its annual Self Assessment tax return push, HMRC is warning customers completing their returns to take care to avoid being caught out by scammers. The annual tax return deadline is on 31 January 2021. Read more here about this press release and ways to spot signs of scammers.

[added 10.11]

• Updated guidance on jobs that qualify for travel exemptions - Exemptions from the requirement to self-isolate removed for arrivals from Denmark. Click here to access the guidance.

[added 06.11]

• Updated advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - Updated information to explain that overseas services will remain open but dependent on local country restrictions, and that our in-country immigration services (UK Visa and Citizenship Application Services, Service and Support Centres and English Language Test centres) will remain open. Updated 'If you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life' section to explain that the period for requesting exceptional assurance has been extended. Click here to read more.
• New protections for renters over duration of national restrictions - Evictions will not be enforced by bailiffs until 11 January 2021 at the earliest, except for the most egregious cases such as anti-social behaviour. Six month notice periods still in place until at least the end of March 2021, except for most serious cases. Click here to read more.
• Government extends Furlough to March and increases self-employed support - Workers across the United Kingdom will benefit from increased support with a five-month extension of the furlough scheme into Spring 2021, the Chancellor announced yesterday, 5 November. Click here to read more.
• New guidance to support safe care home visits during lockdown - Care homes will be encouraged and supported to provide safe visiting opportunities as new national restrictions come into effect. Click here to read more.
• Clinically extremely vulnerable receive updated guidance in line with new national restrictions - new guidance has been published for the clinically extremely vulnerable on keeping safe under new national restrictions which come into force this Thursday. This group are strongly advised to stay at home at all times, unless for exercise or doctors’ appointments. Click here to read more.

[added 04.11]

• Prime Minister announces new national restrictions - From Thursday (5ht Nov), everyone must stay at home, with a limited set of exemptions. These exemptions include: For education; For work, if you cannot work from home; For exercise and recreation outdoors, with your household, support bubble or on your own with one person from another household; For all medical reasons, appointments and to escape injury or harm; To shop for food and essentials; And to provide care for vulnerable people, or as a volunteer. Click here to read more.
• Updated advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - Updated information for if you're in the UK and your visa or leave expires between 1 November and 30 November 2020. Updated 'If you’re applying to enter the UK or remain on the basis of family or private life' section to include information about the job support scheme and family emergency cases. Click here to read more.
• Millions of jobs will continue to be supported as Job Support Scheme launches - Millions of jobs will continue to be supported over the winter months with the government’s JSS available to businesses across the UK from Sunday, 1 November. To read more, click here.

[added 29.10]

• Local COVID alert level update for Nottinghamshire - Nottinghamshire will move from local COVID alert level 'high' to 'very high' from 00.01 on Friday 30 October. Click here to read the annoucment or here to read guidance on the 'very high' alert level.

[added 27.10]

• Updated guidance on jobs that qualify for travel exemptions - To now include offshore oil and gas worker, click here to read more or access the full list of jobs that qualify for travel exemptions.
• Guidance added on COVID-19 and provision of night shelters - Published on the 13th October, MHCLG published guidance on operating principles for commissioners and providers of night shelters for people experiencing rough sleeping. Click here to access.

[added 23.10]

• Canary Islands, Denmark, Maldives and Mykonos added to travel corridor exempt list - From 4am Sunday 25 October, people arriving in England from the Canary Islands, Denmark, the Maldives and Mykonos will not need to self-isolate. Click here to access the updated travevl excempt list.
• NHS Test and Trace statistics for 8 October to 14 October now available - NHS Test and Trace successfully reached 80.7% of people who tested positive and 75.1% of contacts where communication details were provided, latest figures show. To read the press release, click here.

[added 19.10]

• Updated GOV guidance on advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - the update includes updated family and private visa concession and loss of income information. To access, click here.

[added 16.10]

• Travel corridor list updated - People arriving in England from Italy, San Marino and Vatican City State from 4am on Sunday 18 October will need to self-isolate for 2 weeks as the countries are removed from the travel corridor list. To access the most up to date list, click here.
• Local COVID alert levels: what you need to know - Information on local COVID alert levels, including what they mean, why they are being introduced and what the different levels are which was introduced this week. Click here.
• Find out the coronavirus restrictions in a local area - You can find out what you can or cannot do if you enter the postcode of the place you want to find information about. For example where you live, work, or visit. Each area has a Local COVID Alert Level. There are 3 Local COVID Alert Levels. Sometimes these are called ‘tiers’ or known as a ‘local lockdown’.  Click here to access. 

[added 14.10]

• New hotline launched to report COVID fraudsters - A new hotline has been launched to stop fraudsters illegally targeting COVID stimulus schemes. In an initiative between government and the independent charity Crimestoppers, the public can now call a new COVID Fraud Hotline (0800 587 5030) anonymously and free of charge to report suspected fraudulent activity. To read more, click here.
• Ethnic minority communities and the elderly called upon to bolster the fight against coronavirus - Researchers are calling on more people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds and the over 65s to volunteer for clinical studies through the NHS Vaccine Registry. To read more or to register, click here.

[added 13.10]

• Job Support Scheme expanded to firms required to close due to Covid Restrictions - The government’s Job Support Scheme (JSS) will be expanded to protect jobs and support businesses required to close their doors as a result of coronavirus restrictions. The government will support eligible businesses by paying two thirds of each employees’ salary (or 67%), up to a maximum of £2,100 a month. To read more, click here
• Updated guidance on advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - Updated 'Applying for a visa if your VAC is closed' to add that customers can now apply for a visit visa from any VAC. Click here to read more.

[added 09.10]

• Travel corridor list updated - From 4am Saturday 10 October, people arriving in England from Lesvos, Santorini, Serifos, Tinos and Zakynthos will not need to self-isolate for 2 weeks. Click here to access the up to date list.

[added 05.10]

• Health and care staff can claim immigration health surcharge reimbursement - Overseas NHS and care workers can claim their reimbursement from the surcharge from today, fulfilling a pledge made by the Prime Minister in May. Those eligible can now apply online and access guidance on claiming the reimbursement, which will be paid in 6-month instalments. The IHS reimbursement scheme will work alongside the health and care visa announced in July and launched in August this year. Reimbursements for the IHS will be paid in 6-month instalments. For more information, click here.
• Update on COVID-19 guidance for student sponsors, migrants and short-term students - today (5th October) the guidance has been updated and the changes can be found on page 5 and 6 which can be found here.
• Turkey, Poland, Bonaire, St Eustatius and Saba removed from England travel corridor exempt list - People arriving in the UK from these destinations from 4am Saturday 3 October 2020 will need to self-isolate for 2 weeks. Click here to read more and access the full exempt list.
• Interim results from largest COVID-19 study published - Over 80,000 volunteers tested in England between 18 and 26 September as part of the country’s largest study into COVID-19. Interim findings from Imperial College London and Ipsos MORI show 1 in 200 people were infected but suggest growth of infection may be slowing. Click here to read more.

[added 30.09]

• New legal duty to self-isolate comes into force - From 28th September, people in England will be required by law to self-isolate if they test positive or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace. Click here to read more.
• Guidance to parents and guardians: when you should book a coronavirus test for your child - The letter explains that you should only book a test if your child has any of these 3 coronavirus symptoms: a high temperature, a new continuous cough and or a loss of, or change in, sense of smell or taste: a noticeable loss of smell or taste or things smell and taste different to normal. Click here to access the letter.

[added 25.09]

• Guidance updated on advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - on 24 September 2020, guidance was updated if you're a Tier 4 student applicant in the UK and have given your fingerprints before. Click here to access the updated guidance. 
• NHS COVID-19 app launches across England and Wales - The app launched yesterday and is available to those aged 16 and over in multiple languages. It forms a central part of the NHS Test and Trace service in England and the NHS Wales Test, Trace, Protect programme – identifying contacts of those who have tested positive for coronavirus. Click here to read more.
• Denmark, Slovakia, Iceland and Curaçao removed from UK travel corridor exempt list - People arriving in the UK from these destinations from 4am Saturday 26 September 2020 will need to self-isolate for 2 weeks. Click here to access the up to date travel corridors list.

[added 23.09]

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): What has changed – 22 September - including face coverings, working from home, what to do as a business as well as meeting people safely. Click here to access.
• Childcare to be exempt from interhousehold mixing restrictions in local areas of intervention - Informal childcare and caring arrangements will be allowed to continue across the nation, the Health Secretary has announced. Children under 14 will be able to be cared for by individuals outside of their immediate household as part of a care bubble. Click here to read more.
• Restrictions for more areas in north west, West Yorkshire and midlands to tackle rising infection rates - Lancashire, Merseyside, Warrington and Halton escalated to areas of intervention, with new restrictions in Wolverhampton, Oadby and Wigston, and parts of Bradford, Kirklees and Calderdale. Click here to read more.

[added 21.09]

• New package to support and enforce self-isolation - A new package has been announced to support and enforce self-isolation. Click here to read more.

[added 18.09]

• Call for evidence on channel crossings, migration and asylum-seeking routes through the EU - Submissions should be received by 12 noon on Monday 14 September. The Committee has decided to extend the deadline to 12 noon on Monday 21 September. Click here to read more or submit written evidence.
• Thailand and Singapore added to travel corridor exempt list for England - From 4am Saturday 19 September 2020, people arriving in England from Thailand and Singapore will not need to self-isolate for 2 weeks. Click here to read more.

[added 17.09]

• 274 councils set to receive housing support for vulnerable people - The funding will provide interim accommodation and support as part of the government's commitment to end rough sleeping. Within the East Midlands, 32 councils will recieve support in total of £2,035,534.00. To access the press release, click here or to access the funding allocations, click here.

[added 16.09]

• Rule of six comes into effect to tackle coronavirus - New laws prohibiting social gatherings of more than six people come into effect on Monday 14 September. This rule applies across indoor and outdoor settings, with police able to disperse gatherings of over six people and fine individuals involved. Police will now be able to disperse any such gatherings and fine individuals involved £100, doubling up to a maximum of £3,200. Click here to read more.
• Affordable Homes Programme (AHP) announcement - £12 billion Affordable Homes Programme. This includes a new £11.5 billion Programme - the highest single funding commitment to affordable housing in a decade. The new Programme aims to deliver up to 180,000 affordable homes over five years from 2021 to 2026 – the first from next year - right across the country. Click here to read more.
• New international student immigration routes open early - New routes for international students to apply for visas will open early delivering on the government’s commitment to introduce a new points-based immigration system. As detailed in the immigration rules laid in Parliament on 10 September 2020, the Student route and Child Student route will both open on 5 October 2020 to the best and brightest international students from across the globe. Click here to access the news story.
• Ministers announce new grants for businesses affected by local lockdowns - Businesses in England that are required to shut because of local interventions will now be able to claim up to £1,500 per property every three weeks. Click here to read more about who can claim and how to access.
• Restrictions on household mixing in Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull - Birmingham, Sandwell and Solihull moved to 'areas of intervention'. From 15th September residents must not socialise with other people outside of their own households from today to control the spread of the virus. Easements in Leicester will continue, with more businesses being able to reopen in the city from 15th September. Click here to access the press release.
• Venues required by law to record contact details - Premises and venues across England must have a system in place to record contact details of their customers, visitors and staff in the latest move to break the chains of transmission of coronavirus. Details must be stored for 21 days and shared with NHS Test and Trace, if requested. Click here to read more.
• NHS Test and Trace statistics for 27 August to 2 September released - Latest figures show that 82.7% of people who tested positive and were transferred to the contact-tracing system were reached and asked to provide information about their contacts. Click here to read more.
• Islands policy introduced to travel corridors -  England introduces new targeted approach to add or remove a country’s islands to the travel corridors list as people arriving in England from Crete, Lesvos, Mykonos, Santorini, Serifos, Tinos or Zakynthos from 4am Wednesday 9 September will need to self-isolate for 2 weeks. Click here to read more. 
• Portugal, Hungary, French Polynesia and Réunion to be removed from travel corridors list - People arriving in England from these destinations from 4am Saturday 12 September 2020 will need to self-isolate for 2 weeks. Click here to access the updated travel corridor list.
• New campaign to prevent spread of coronavirus indoors this winter - The ‘Hands. Face. Space’ public information campaign urges the public to continue to wash their hands, cover their face and make space to control infection rates and avoid a second peak. Click here to read more.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): What has changed – 9 September - This news story has been put together giving an overview of all the recent changes. Click here to access.
• Letter to local authorities on the Coronavirus Act 2020 (Residential Tenancies: Protection from Eviction) (Amendment) (England) Regulations 2020 - This letter notifies local authorities of the extension of emergency measures regarding notice periods which came into force 29 August 2020. Click here to access.

[added 04.09]

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): jobs that qualify for travel exemptions updated information - click here to review.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents updated - to clarify for those whose visa or leave expires after 31 August 2020. Click here to access.
• Expired driving licences automatically extended by 11 months - Photocard licences or entitlement to drive that expires between 1 February and 31 December 2020 have been extended for 11 months from the date of expiry. The inital extension was untik August. Click here to read more.
• Call for evidence: An inspection of UKVI’s ‘Front End Services’ - The Independent Chief Inspector invites anyone with knowledge and experience of UKVI’s ‘Front End Services’ to submit their evidence for his forthcoming inspection. Click here to read more on how to submit your evidence. 
• Social housing sector reports strong financial position despite coronavirus challenges - Regulator of Social Housing publishes its latest quarterly survey results. The report covers the period from 1 April 2020 to 30 June 2020. Click here to access. 

[added 02.09]

• Homeowners to see savings available under new Green Homes Grant scheme - Homeowners and landlords can from Friday 28 August see for themselves how the government’s new Green Homes Grant scheme can help make their homes warmer and more energy efficient. The next steps are outlined and the vouchers are being issued at the end of September. Click here to read more.
• Government has changed the law so most renters have a 6 month notice period - Legislation has now been introduced, so landlords must now give tenants 6 months’ notice before they can evict until March 2021, except in the most serious of cases. Click here to read more.
• All possible measures to be taken before schools and colleges close - as schools return in the UK, new contingency planning guidance published for education settings in local lockdown areas. The guidance sets out that all possible measures should be taken before any restrictions are imposed on schools to maintain consistent education for children and young people. Click here to read the press release.
• Travel Corridors list updated - as of 29th August, Czech Republic, Jamaica and Switzerland removed from the travel corridor list at 4am Saturday 29 August 2020. Cuba added to the list at 4am Saturday 29 August. Click here to access the updated list of travel corridors. 
• Kickstart Scheme opens for employer applications - As part of the government’s Plan for Jobs, a new £2 billion Kickstart Scheme will create hundreds of thousands of new, fully subsidised jobs for young people across the country. The 6 month placements are open to those aged 16-24 who are claiming Universal Credit and at risk of long term unemployment. They will be available across a range of different sectors in England, Scotland and Wales. The first placements are likely to be available from November. Click here to find out more.

[added 27.08]

• Official statistics relating to passenger arrivals since the COVID-19 outbreak released - today (27th August) the Home Office have released statistics and key findings on passenger arrivals since the outbreak up until July 2020. Click here to access.
• Updated guidance on advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - on 'Applying for a visa if your VAC is closed'. Click here to see the update.
• Restrictions lifted in Leicester - Nail bars, outdoor pools, and beauty salons can reopen in Leicester from 19 August and current rules for gatherings in private homes and gardens will remain in place. Click here to read more.
• New payment for people self-isolating in highest risk areas - People on low incomes who need to self-isolate and are unable to work from home in areas with high incidence of COVID-19 will benefit from a new payment scheme. Payments of up to £182 to be made to people who have tested positive for COVID-19 and their contacts. Click here to read more information. 
• Extension on the ban on evictions and notice periods - Renters affected by coronavirus will continue to be protected after the government extended the ban on evictions for another 4 weeks, meaning in total no legal evictions will have taken place for 6 months, Housing Secretary Robert Jenrick has announced on 21 August 2020. Click here to read more.
• More targeted action in local areas to curb the spread of coronavirus - The Health and Social Care secretary, local leaders, NHS Test and Trace, the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) and the Chief Medical Officer for England have agreed changes to the local restrictions in some parts of England. These include Oldham, Blackburn and parts of Pendle. Click here to read the press release and more on the Contain Framework which sets out how NHS Test and Trace and the Joint Biosecurity Centre (JBC) will work with local authorities, Public Health England (PHE) and the public to contain and manage local COVID-19 outbreaks.

[added 18.08]

• Immigration appeals fee u-turn - News the government has dropped plans for new fixed fees for immigration appeals means people will continue to get the support they need to access the immigration tribunal, the Law Society of England and Wales said. Click here to read more.
• Secretary of State message to the NHS on the coronavirus response - Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock thanks the NHS workforce for the dedication they have shown in the national effort against coronavirus (COVID-19) which sets out lessons learned through the coronavirus response and invites contributions to the call for evidence on reducing bureaucracy in health and social care. Click here to read more.
• British Embassy Warsaw is taking part in a campaign aimed at informing about the risks of becoming a victim of modern slavery - British Embassy Warsaw, together with local partners in Poland (Ministry of Interior and Administration, Police, Border Guard and other NGOs), as well as with the support of some of the biggest local job advertising sites, has prepared a campaign aimed at informing about the risks of becoming the victim of modern slavery. The campaign is focused on the issue of forced labour. Click here to read more.
• Call for evidence: Second Annual Inspection of ‘Adults at Risk’ in immigration detention - The Independent Chief Inspector is inviting anyone with knowledge and experience of the Home Office’s treatment of vulnerable individuals in immigration detention to write to him with their evidence. Click here to find out more.

[added 14.08]

• Updated guidance on Self-Employment Income Support Scheme second grant - New guidance on eligibility has been published regarding the grant scheme for those self-employed who have been affected by COVID-19. The scheme has been extended. If you were eligible for the first grant and can confirm to HMRC that your business has been adversely affected on or after 14 July 2020, you’ll be able to make a claim for a second and final grant from 17 August 2020. Click here to access the guidance. 

[added 11.08]

• Updated guidance on advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents during COVID-19 - on the 7th August, a link was added to the coronavirus immigration helpline contact form. Click here to access.

[added 07.08]

• Support for working families affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) given an extra boost - The DfE and HMRC have announced that working parents or carers who are eligible for Tax-Free Childcare or 30 hours free childcare for 3-4 year olds but have temporarily fallen below the minimum income requirement due to the pandemic will be entitled to this support until the end of October 2020. Click here for more information on Working Tax Credits entitlements and coronavirus or here for the announcement.
• Guidance on Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students in relation to COVID updated - Added information for sponsors of distance learners and that students who star a course by distance learning outside the UK must be granted a visa before travelling to the UK. Click here to access the guidance. 
• Guidance on advice for Tier 2, 4 and 5 sponsors in relation to COVID updated - Added that: if a student stops engaging with their distance learning for more than 30 days, whether overseas or in the UK, sponsors must withdraw sponsorship. Before travelling to the UK, students starting a course by distance learning must have a CAS and a Tier 4 visa. Click here to access the guidance. 

[added 04.08]

• First virtual citizenship ceremony welcomed by Home Office minister - Local authorities will now be able to conduct citizenship ceremonies for individuals and households virtually. Click here to read more.
• Updated guidance on COVID advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - Updated to reference that most UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) have resumed services where local restrictions allow. Click here to access the Gov guidance. 

[added 31.07]

• Guidance on travellers exempt from border rules in the UK has been updated - Healthcare workers have been removed. Click here to read the update.
• Health and care workers to self-isolate on return to UK from high-risk countries - a press release went out yesterday to say that registered health and care professionals travelling to the UK from high-risk countries will be required to self-isolate for 14 days. Click here to read the full press release.
• NHS Test and Trace launches campaign to encourage everyone with symptoms to get a free test - yesterday the NHS Test and Trace service launched a new campaign alongside a new business plan to expand testing capacity and prepare the nation for winter. Click here to read more.

[added 30.07]

• Updated COVID guidance on advice for Tier 2, 4 and 5 sponsors - this update includes changes to that scanned documents are expected as evidence and this stands up until 30th September. Click here to read the full update.
• Updated COVID guidance on advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - Updated information includes if you’re in the UK and your leave expired between 24 January 2020 and 31 July 2020. Click here to see the update.

[added 28.07]

• Spain removed from travel corridors exemption list - it was announced on 25th July that if you arrive in England, Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland from Spain on or after 26 July 2020 you will need to self-isolate. Click here to read the press release.
• Disabled people exempt from wearing face coverings under new government guidance - Government has set out a list of face covering exemptions, as they are mandatory in additional enclosed spaces from Friday 24 July. Click here to read the report and access the exemptions list.
• Councils awarded £800,000 to build on digital advances made during pandemic - Communities across the country are set to benefit from better local services as councils receive a share of £800,000 for innovative digital projects. However, none of the funding has been allocated to councils in the East Midlands. Click here to read more.
• Major new campaign encourages millions to lose weight and cut COVID-19 risk - the government have announced today that they are launching a new national campaign to encourage millions of adults to kick start their health and reduce their risk of serious illness, including COVID-19. Click here to read more information on the campaign.

[added 23.07]

• Plans to ease guidance for over 2 million shielding from next Saturday 1 August - From Saturday 1 August, the guidance will then be relaxed so clinically extremely vulnerable people will no longer be advised to shield, but support will remain available from NHS volunteers and local councils. People will retain their priority for supermarket delivery slots, and still be able to access help with shopping, medication, phone calls and transport to medical appointments. Click here to read the report.

[added 21.07]

• Advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents GOV guidance updated - on 20th July 2020, information was added on how to request a replacement visa for if your 30 day visa to work, study or join family has expired. Click here to access.

[added 20.07]

• Government launches £266 million pound housing fund for vulnerable people - Next Steps Accommodation Programme launched on Saturday makes resources available to councils to help ensure 15,000 people continue to have a safe place to stay. Click here to read the full news story.
• Lockdown restrictions lifted in some areas of Leicestershire - All additional lockdown restrictions will end in areas outside of Leicester City and the Borough of Oadby and Wigston on 18 July, the Health and Social Care Secretary has confirmed as the 7-day infection rate for Leicester has fallen to 119 cases per 100,000 people. Click here to read the full press release.

[added 15.07]

• Local lockdown measures to continue in Leicester with modifications - these modifications include removing the restrictions on schools and early years childcare and taking a more targeted approach to the restrictions on non-essential retail from 24th July.
• Government confirms the third tranche of funding allocation of the additional COVID-19 fund for councils - Announced on 16th July. The funding will help councils in England continue to deliver crucial frontline services, support those most in need and meet new spending pressures so they can deliver for residents. Click here to see the allocations.

[added 15.07]

• Assisted Voluntary Return service has now resumed - after being paused for a few months, individuals & families who do not have leave to remain in the UK can find out more about the service by clicking here.
• Face coverings to be mandatory in shops and supermarkets from 24 July - as announced on 14th July. Click here to read Health and Social Care Secretary Matt Hancock spoke about plans.
• Government announces gyms and pools to reopen safely - Outdoor pools can reopen to the public from 11 July followed by indoor gyms, pools and leisure centres on 25 July. Click here to read the press release.

[added 10.07]

• Travel corridors announced - on the 6th July, the Government announced the 59 countries that are exempt from any quarantine restrictions as of the 10 July 2020, unless they have visited or transited through any non-exempt country or territory in the preceding 14 days. Click here to read the announcement.
• Advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents GOV guidance updated - on 8th July 2020, the guidance was updated to now include  the Pearson Test of English to the list of English Testing Centres. Click here to access the guidance.

[added 08.07]

• Updated guidance on the guidance for travellers exempt from border rules in the UK due to COVID-19 - The updated information included new travel details and new Coronavirus (COVID-19 guidance for travellers exempt from border rules in England. Click here to access.

[added 07.07]

• Updated information on guidance on for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - Updated process on biometric information which can be accessed here.

[added 03.07]

• Self-isolation lifted for lower risk countries in time for holidays this summer - From 10 July 2020 you will be able to travel to many countries without having to self-isolate on return to the UK including Germany, France, Spain and Italy however all passengers, except those on a small list of exemptions, will still be required to provide contact information on arrival in the UK. Click here to read the news story.
• Public asked to leave a name and number with venues to help stop the spread of COVID-19 - New guidelines have been published by the Department of Health and Social Care which sets the steps pubs, restaurants, cinemas and similar venues can all take to support the nation NHS Test and Trace Service to contain outbreaks before they occur, preventing the return of lockdown measures and helping to protect the public and save lives. This includes collecting the names, and phone numbers of all staff working at the premises, as well as the date and time they worked, as well as making a record of the name and contact phone number of any customers or visitors, or if it is a group of people, the name of the lead member of the group, who is able to contact other members of the group, and the number of people in the group. Click here to access the guidance.
• New funding package for councils to help address coronavirus pressures and cover lost income during the pandemic - Further £500 million brings funding given to support local councils with pressures to £4.3 billion, part of a package of over £27 billion to help councils, businesses and communities. This new scheme will also reimburse councils for lost income and allow council and business rates tax deficits to be repaid over 3 years instead of one. Click here to read the full press release.
• Driving lessons, theory tests and driving tests to restart in England - The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has announced that learners can resume driving lessons and motorcycle training in England from Saturday 4 July 2020. Theory tests will also restart in England on Saturday 4 July. The tests will take place with social distancing measures in place to help stop the spread of coronavirus. Click here to read the full release.
• Leicestershire coronavirus lockdown: areas and changes - On 29 June, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Matt Hancock set out the local action being taken in Leicester following a surge in coronavirus cases in the area. On 30th June, the local councils set out the following areas of Leicestershire that are included in the localised lockdown. Click here to access the map/ list.
• Letter from Minister for Rough Sleeping on funding for emergency accommodation during the pandemic, and support for EEA rough sleepers - can be accessed here which was sent to Chief Executive of local authorities on 30th June.
• Easing coronavirus health measures at the UK border - on 29th June, the government confirmed that they will shortly begin to ease the health measures at the UK border, allowing passengers to be exempted from self-isolation requirements in certain circumstances on arrival in the UK. This will apply to international rail, maritime, and aviation. Click here to read the full news story.
• Shielding update: letter to patients - on 29th June - the government announced translations and accessible formats of a letter from the government sent to patients in England who are shielding. These can be accessed here.

[added 25.06]

• PM announces easing of lockdown restrictions: 23 June 2020 - the annoucnement set out further changes to lockdown measures in England to enable people to see more of their friends and family, help businesses get back on their feet and get people back in their jobs. From the same date, he has set out that two households will be able to meet up in any setting with social distancing measures, and that people can now enjoy staycations in England with the reopening of accommodation sites. Click here to read the full announcement. 

[added 24.06]

• £105 million to keep rough sleepers safe and off the streets during coronavirus pandemic - The additional £105 million will be used to support rough sleepers and those at risk of homelessness into tenancies of their own, including through help with deposits for accommodation, and securing thousands of alternative rooms already available and ready for use, such as student accommodation. A further £16 million is also being provided so that vulnerable people currently in emergency accommodation can access they specialist help they need for substance misuse issues, in order to rebuild their lives and move towards work and education.Click here to read the full press release.
• Plans to ease guidance for over 2 million shielding - From Monday 6 July, those shielding from coronavirus can gather in groups of up to 6 people outdoors and form a ‘support bubble’ with another household and Government shielding support package will remain in place until the end of July when people will no longer be advised to shield. To read the full press release, click here.

[added 22.06]

• Coronavirus - Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students guidance document update - Updated to add information on some VACs reopening.Click here to access the full guidance.

[added 19.06]

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students guidance document update - The guidance document has added the following: guidance for new students, clarification on the concession on applying in the UK for leave to remain under Tier 4 applies both to those extending their leave under Tier 4 and those switching into the route from another category, added information on when students will be able to apply under the Graduate Route 2021 as well as updated information about the current availability of Visa Application Centres and Secure English Language test centres. Click here to access the full guidance.

[added 17.06]

• Updated information on Service and Support Centres, English language tests, and 90 day validity of replacement visas - under the Guidance on coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents. Click here to access.

[added 12.06]

• Local authorities across England receive funding to support new Test and Trace service - a share of £300 million across England. Local authorities are central to the new NHS Test and Trace service, and each upper tier local authority has now been awarded funding to develop tailored outbreak control plans, working with the service, their local NHS and other stakeholders. Click here to read the press release.

[added 08.06]

• Ban on evictions extended by 2 months to further protect renters - Renters across England and Wales will receive greater protection after the government extended the suspension of new evictions until 23 August. Click here to read the full press release.
• Places of worship to re-open for individual prayer - From Monday 15 June places of worship will be permitted to open for individual prayer in line with social distancing guidelines. This decision follows discussions between the Government and representatives of major faiths through the Places of Worship Taskforce which the Communities Secretary has chaired.  Click here to read the full press release.
• £7 million for new coalition of vulnerable children’s charities - will fund the launch of the See, Hear, Respond service, to provide targeted help to vulnerable children, young people and their families affected by the virus and the measures put in place to stop its spread. The coalition, led by Barnardo’s, will work alongside local authorities, schools and colleges, police forces, healthcare professionals and other vital services involved in protecting these children. Click here for further information.

[added 01.06]

• UK Border Control rules in place for entering the UK because of coronavirus (COVID-19) - From 8 June, rules will be in place for residents and visitors for entering the UK. Click here for more information. Some travellers will be exempt from new UK border rules introduced to due to coronavirus. This means they may not need to provide their journey or contact details or self-isolate for 14 days after they arrive in the UK. Click here for the official guidance on exemption.

[added 27.05]

• Updated information on UK Visa and Citizenship Application Centres (UKVCAS) and UK Visa Application Centres (VACs) - Under the guidance for on advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents there has been an addition of a link to guidance on how to cancel your visa. Added a link to the latest information on changes at the border. Click here to access.

[added 26.05]

• Visa extensions for those unable to leave the UK because of coronavirus has been extended - to 31 July 2020 as updated on the 22nd May. Click here for further information. 
• Everyone in the UK with symptons is now eligble for tests - Anyone experiencing a new, continuous cough; high temperature; and now also a loss of or change in your normal sense of smell or taste can book a test by visiting the link here.

[added 22.05]

• Government to offer antibody tests to health and social care staff and patients in England - on May 21st, it was announced that health and social care staff will be offered a test. The Public Health England study seeks to understand whether the presence of COVID antibodies protects people from future infection of COVID-19. Up to 10,000 healthcare workers will be studied for at least a year, with data collected recording history of infection and any new symptoms that appear during the course of the study. Click here to read the press release.

[added 14.05]

• £5 million Loneliness COVID-19 grant fund - The Government has launched a fund available to help national organisation to tackle loneliness during the coronavirus outbreak and period of social distancing. The plan will aim to ensure that, for people of all ages and backgrounds, staying at home does not need to lead to loneliness. The fund is available for charitable organisations and is in England only. Click here for more information and how to apply. 

[added 12.05]

• Dedicated app for social care workers launched - A new dedicated app for the adult social care workforce in England has been launched to support staff through the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. This app includes  access to guidance, learning resources, discounts and other support all in one place such as mental health and wellbeing through toolkits and resources. Click here for more information. 
• Letter to Industry partners on countering online child sexual exploitation and abuse during the coronoavirus (COVID-19) pandemic - The Minister of State for Security writes to industry partners on countering online child sexual exploitation and abuse during the coronavirus pandemic. The letter can be downloaded here.
• Updated information about calling the Coronavirus Immigration Help Centre - you can also email the Coronavirus Immigration Help Centre, however there is now an option to call. It has been advised to check call charges if calling from abroad. Click here to find out more.

[added 11.05]

• Protecting places of worship consultation deadline extenstion - until 28th June in order to provide people with more op portunity to respond in these difficult times. This Home Office consultation asks faith groups what else is needed to help them feel safe and confident to practice their religion. To ensure the most beneficial responses from Government, there would need to be a good level of response from faith groups. People are asked to complete the consultation and share it widely. Click here for more information. 

[added 04.05]

• Emergency funding to support most vulnerable in society during pandemic - Communities Secretary announces £76 million extra funding to support survivors of domestic abuse, sexual violence and vulnerable children and their families and victims of modern slavery. A total of £34.15 million will support work to safeguard vulnerable children including children with disabilities, those who are critically ill, care leavers and children in the early years, £28 million to help survivors of domestic abuse and their children by providing more safe spaces, accommodation and access to support services, £10 million has been announced to support victims of sexual violence and £1.73 million to support survivors of modern slavery. Click here to read more. 

[added 28.04]

• Who is eligble for technology and how to apply for support - After the announcment below, the government have now advised who is eligible to access the technology including laptop and devices as well as internet access. The process on how to apply can also be found via this link. 

[added 24.04]

• New package announced to support online learning - The government have announced that vulnerable and disadvantaged young people across the country will receive free laptops. This includes children who receive support from a social worker and care leavers. Care leavers will also be provided with 4G routers to access the internet if they do not already have access to the internet in their home. This will apply to unaccompanied asylum seeking children and young people, and other children receiving the support of a social worker. Click here for the news story

[added 20.04]

• EXTRA £1.6 billion for councils pledge by government - for vital services including adult social care and children’s services. This extra funding takes the total funding to support councils to respond to the pandemic to over £3.2 billion. Click here to read the full anouncement.  

[added 16.04]

• Free school meals for those on S.4 support and NPRF - the Secretary of State agreed to extend free school meal entitlement temporarily during the current crisis to children who are of families that either: recieve s4 support, zambrano carers and have NRPF. Click here for the guidance on free school meals.
  
• Detention centres are now closed to vistiors and have stopped the new detentions of people  who would in normal circumstances be facing removal to one of the 49 countries (click the link below to see these countries) to which removals are not currently taking place because of Covid-19 travel restrictions. Click here for more information. 

[added 15.04]

• Advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - now includes information about applicants who can start work or study in the UK before their visa application has been decided. Information on this can be found here. 
• Home Office announces £2m and awareness campaign for domestic abuse victims - The Home Secretary announces support for domestic abuse victims as a new public awareness raising campaign will highlight that if anyone is at risk of, or experiencing domestic abuse, help is still available.
  The additional money will "immediately" bolster helplines and online support, the home secretary announced. Click here for more details. 

[added 02.04]

• COVID-19: emergency funding for local government of 1.6 millions breakdown released - On 19 March 2020, the government announced £1.6 billion of additional funding for local government to help them respond to coronavirus (COVID-19) pressures across all the services they deliver. This document sets out the allocations for local authorities, which can be accessed here. This funding is also intended to meet the cost of extra demand and higher BAU costs of providing children's social care - including as a result of school closures, to meet the costs of placements and to address the need for isolation, including forunaccompanied asylum seeking children.

[added 01.04]

• NHS frontline workers visas extended so they can focus on fighting coronavirus - Doctors, nurses and paramedics with visas due to expire before 1 October 2020 will have them automatically extended for one year as part of the national effort to combat coronavirus. To read more, click here.
• Temporary changes to right to work and right to rent - the temporary changes will mean the Home Office will not require landlords and employers to see original documents and will allow checks to be undertaken over video calls. These temporary changes will mean that during the coronavirus outbreak prospective renters and workers can submit scanned documents, rather than originals, to show they have a right to rent or right to work. For more information, click here.

[added 30.03]

• DWP National Insurance number interviews - National Insurance Number interviews are not currently taking place for 3 months effective from 17/03/2020. The DWP have advised that individuals can start work without a National Insurance Number as long as they have the right to work in the UK and employers have information to allow them to do this. For further information around DWP Services during this current crisis please access the Coronavirus and claiming Benefits section on Understanding Universal Credit website. 

[added 27.03]

• Statelessness applications - The Home Office are currently unable to process any statelessness applications or make any decisions on Stateless Leave applications due to capacity issues.  Statelessness interviews have also been suspended. However, online applications can still be made and the Home Office will seek to resume this work as soon as they are able to do so. For more information click here.
• Welfare benefits - The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has also been making temporary changes to their policies regarding access to welfare benefits as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. Refugee Council have provided an overview of the changes which can be accessed here, or altneratively you can visit the DWP's announcement here.
• Government support available for landlords and renters -  The Government has amended most types of eviction notice in the social and private rented sector, so that a tenant must be given three months’ notice before any court proceedings to evict commence. This change lasts for notices issues until 30 September 2020, but that date could be amended. Alongside this, all current and upcoming eviction proceedings in the courts have been suspended so that no private or social tenant can be evicted for 90 days from 27 March 2020. More information can be accessed here.
• Government aims to house all rough sleepers by the weekend- On the 26th March, the Government wrote to local authorities in England asking them to house all people sleeping rough, and those in hostels and night shelters, by the weekend. The letter from Luke Hall MP, the homelessness minister, is being widely interpreted to include ‘everyone’, meaning that local authorities should be finding accommodation and support for people with NRPF where they need it due to the pandemic. 

[added 26.03]

• £2.9 billion funding to strengthen care for the vulnerable - £1.6 billion will go to local authorities to help them respond to other coronavirus (COVID-19) pressures across all the services they deliver. This includes increasing support for the adult social care workforce and for services helping the most vulnerable, including homeless people. For more information, click here.
• Government launches Coronavirus Information Service - The GOV.UK Coronavirus Information Service is an automated ‘chatbot’ service which will allow the British public to get answers to the most common questions about coronavirus direct from government. To access to the full report, click here.

[added 25.03]

• Visas extended for those currently unable to return home due to COVID-19  - The extension was announced on 24th March by the Home Secretary Priti Patel, that will apply to anyone whose leave expired after the 24 January and who cannot leave the country because of travel restrictions or self-isolation. This will last until 31 May but will be kept under regular review in case further extensions are needed. A COVID-19 immigration team has been set up within UKVI to make the process as straightforward as possible. For more information or to for details of how to contact, please click here.
• Legal Aid Agency contingency response—  Advice for legal aid providers setting has been set out what the Legal Aid Agency is putting in place to help them continue to provide service for their clients during COVID-19.The whole report can be found here.

Community Sponsorships

[added 25.01]

• Community Sponsorship continues - The Community Sponsorship Team at the Home Office has confirmed that they are continuing to accept applications and that they will now be able to fully approve and refer a family to those Community Sponsorship Groups that meet all of the application requirements.

[added 08.01]

• RESET community sponsorship update - Keep up to date with RESET's work on their website on upcoming arrivals and ways of sponsoring a refugee family. Click here to see more.

[added 08.04]

• Toolkit on Covid-19 relating to things to check/do as a Community Sponsorship Group - this toolkit includes guidance and information on areas such as managing your group, if you have recently welcomed a family, groups who are in the process of appying and have submitted an application as well as training and support (see below on training information). Click here to access the toolkit.
• Welcoming applications for community sponsorships - RESET are continuing to accept community sponsorship applications and welcome further. If you would like to find out more about community sponsorships, click here.

Education/ ESOL

• On Monday 4th January, the Prime Minister again announced that schools and educations facilities will close. In light of this, face-to-face ESOL classes have therefore also ceased across the country. Like other teaching and like before, lots of the classes have continued virtually on either Zoom, Skype or othe online portals. There has been lots of resources, guidance and tips prepared to help those who are either teaching or learning ESOL, please see below;

[added 15.01]

• Learn My Way free online courses - Learn how to use the internet with Learn My Way who has free courses to learn digital skills to stay safe and connected. Click here to access.
• Online help to improve digitial skills - online modules can be completed in lots of different areas including computers, Office, emails, interest and more. Click here to access.

[added 12.01]

• What’s working well in remote education - Daniel Muijs, Ofsted’s Deputy Director, Research and Evaluation, shares some remote learning tips, based on research and visits to schools and colleges. This guidance draws on findings from Ofsted’s interim visits, as well as wider sources. It sets out some common myths about remote education and counters them with evidence-based pointers. The guide has been designed to help schools and colleges deal with some of the difficulties and challenges they face under current circumstances. Click here to access the guidance. 

[added 07.01]

• Ways of Using Xbox and Playstation to access Digitial Learning - a document has been shared to help individuals access digitial learning if they have an Xbox or Playstation. Click to download.

[added 05.01]

• Met Office DIY activities and experiments - This resourse has been shared to help new DIY activites to support during the lockdown. Explore bitesize, hands-on activities to use around the weather. Click here to access.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• On Wednesday 18th March, the Prime Minister announced that schools and educations facilities will close as of, Friday 20th March, therefore the academic year's exams will not go ahead. In light of this, face-to-face ESOL classes have therefore also ceased across the country. Like other teaching, lots of the classes have continued virtually on either Zoom, Skype or othe online portals. There has been lots of resources, guidance and tips prepared to help those who are either teaching or learning ESOL, please see below;

[added 20.11]

• Pre-Community TESOL course available for East Midlands - this courses is a lower level course that has been put together by Flying Cows and East Midlands Councils which allow individuals to learn adnd study to become ESOL teachers. East Midlands Councils are running a pilot course with Trinity College and Flying Cows giving funded opportunities to recently resettled refugees and those asylum seekers with a positive decision (including care leavers). For more information, contact Hannah.Smith@emcouncils.gov.uk 
• Bell Foundation ESOL Programme - The Bell Foundation is developing a new ESOL Programme which will include investment in projects and partnerships which improve outcomes for ESOL learners. The Programme will focus on young people aged 16 to 25 and migrant workers, including refugees and asylum seekers. For more information on aims of the programme and criteria for grants, please visit ESOL partnerships page on The Bell Foundation website.

[added 23.09]

• Free resources for volunteers supporting adult English learners - Learning and Work Institute worked with Learning Unlimited to research and develop a new set of resources aimed at volunteers supporting adult English language learners and organisations using volunteers in this role. These resources are free to use for all. The suite of resources includes: A set of 15 units for conversation club sessions, with supporting guidance on using them to run a conversation club, a guide for volunteers supporting English language learners, a guide for organisations working with volunteers in English language provision, a conversation practice toolkit full of useful ideas, activities and resources, a report of the research as well as a set of four supplementary videos. Click here to access.

[added 07.08]

• Application process NOW OPEN for CERTTESOL and CERTPT - these courses are accrediable courses which allow individuals to learn adnd study to become ESOL teachers. East Midlands Councils are running a pilot course with Trinity College and Flying Cows giving opportunities to recently resettled refugees and those asylum seekers with a positive decision (including care leavers). For more information, contact Hannah.Smith@emcouncils.gov.uk 

[added 28.07]

• Free Teacher Toolbox App - which has with links to useful tools and resources for teaching remotely which can be accessed across all platforms. Click here to download.

[added 22.07]

• Coronavirus vocabulary - ABC education have posted a list of vocabulary used on the Coronavirus pandemic which can be used to support English lessons. Click here to access or here to access all of ABC's resources.

[added 03.07]

• Volunteers, English language learners and conversation clubs resource - Learning and Work Institute worked with Learning Unlimited to research and develop a new set of resources aimed at volunteers supporting adult English language learners and organisations using volunteers in this role. These resources are free to use for all. The suite of resources includes: A set of 15 units for conversation club sessions, with supporting guidance on using them to run a conversation club, a guide for volunteers supporting English language learners, a guide for organisations working with volunteers in English language provision, a conversation practice toolkit full of useful ideas, activities and resources, a report of the research as well as a set of four supplementary videos. Click here to access.
• Guidance for parents of students who use English as an Additional Language - The Bell Foundation has created a short, easy to understand guide for parents of students who use English as an Additional Language.  The leaflet is available in the 17 most commonly used first languages in UK schools and is designed to help parents to get involved in school life and to help their child to learn. Click here to access the guidance.
• ESOL for Refugees: resources for new arrivals - These resources aim to help ESOL practitioners better meet the early integration needs of refugees who are New to ESOL i.e. working below, or at the very beginning of, Entry Level 1.  They were commissioned by the Education and Training Foundation and the Home Office, and developed by Learning and Work Institute and Learning Unlimited. They include teaching material in areas such as using public transport, accessing a dentist, what to do in an emergency and many more. Click here to access this resource.
• Learners New to ESOL Phonics Pack - The materials are designed to increase ESOL teachers’ knowledge and awareness of phonics, enabling them to integrate phonic approaches into teaching ESOL learners who are just starting to learn to read and write in English and to show teachers how a simple text can be used and exploited to develop learners’ phonic awareness. Click here to access.
• New to ESOL Listening Resources - These listening resources have been designed for use with New to ESOL learners. Groups of these learners may typically exhibit a very broad range of oral skills in terms of their levels of speaking and listening in English. We have therefore endeavoured to ensure that the listening tasks in the resources range from those suited to beginner level learners to tasks that present a higher level of challenge. Click here to access.

[added 15.05]

• Talk English resorces - Talk English Courses are for ESOL beginners and will help you to improve your speaking, listening, reading and writing skills. For more information, click here.
  
• Little Bridge is offering free online ESOL training - that is aimed at children, but may also help adults supporting their children or for their own learning. For more information or how to contact, click here.

[added 22.04]

• Coronavirus (COVID 19): online education resources - Online educational resources for schools and parents to help children to learn at home including English, Maths, Science, PE, mental health and wellbeing. Click here to access.
• Online Digital learning - North East Migration Partnership have gathered lots of ESOL material that is being circulated at this current time. This includes, general ESOL classes, upcoming online courses, youtube videos, mobile phone apps and other useful resources including Amazon. Click here to access.

[added 07.04]

• Manchester ESOL advice service - have added a new page to their website 'Learn English at home' - which gives links to useful websites and YouTube videos that learners can use to practise English. There's a drop-down menu by level where activities are broken down by topic or skill containing links to resources for that level e.g. speaking & listening, writing, grammar, vocabulary. The website can also be accessed in many different languages. Click here to access.

[added 16.04]

• RefuNet - are providing online teaching by volunters, as well as teaching material and learning material available for those teaching asylum seekers nad refugees. Click here to access.

[added 06.04]

• Free online ESOL resources have been helpfully collated in a post at Leeds' Migration Parternship blog for students of a range of lovels who are keen to continue their studies. It can be downloaded here .
• Upbeat Communities are offering free sessions for asylum seekers and refugees via WhatsApp including English classes, creative activities and a weekly gathering for women all online, as well as sharing vital information in different languages and are delivering at least one session per day. For more information on this, contact Upbeat Communities by clicking here.
• Opportunity for online learning resources for UASC - Big Leaf Foundation have launched a new project 'Keep Talking' to respond to the needs of young people during this time of isolation by putting togethe a collection of online activitie and challenges to help improve English, be creative, stay connected and ask questions. The project is only in Surrey, however they have kindly offered to share their online learning resources with organisation and charities working with young refugees/ UASC. Click here for more information and to get in touch.

[added 02.04]

• Teach from Home - has been created as a temporary hub of information and tools to help teachers during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis including how to live Q+As with your class, keeping your class engaged, how to create and online quiz and much more. To go to their website, click here.

[added 31.03]

• ESOL for Integration Fund deadline extension - has been extended to the 7th May where councils can apply to ESOL in accessible and community locations, including Derby, Nottingham, Lincolnshire, Wellingborough and more. Click here to see if your area is eligible, or click here for more information. 

[added 30.03]

• UPDATED version of ideas on ESOL during Covid19 which has been kindly created by the East of England Strategic Migration Partnership that contains some suggestions and ideas on learning and maintaining ESOL through the coronavirus outbreak period, as well as links to online courses. Updated information - online courses for English, links on English for Children, mental and physical health tips, as well as teaching material and guidance. This can be downloaded here .
• OneStopEnglish have made all their resources FREE until the end of June including lesson plans, worksheets, flashcards, audio and video files covering IT in ESOL as well as pre-entry ESOL materials. Click here for further information. 
• English My Way - have also got free resources and materials available online, especially for Pre-Entry and new reader writer learners. Their website can be found here.

[added 25.03]

• ESOL Study at Home guidance. To download, click here .
• BBC Learning English have a wide range of different ways to learn english, will access to 'Learn in your own language' including Mandarin, Punjabi and lots more which can be accessed here.
• Ideas on ESOL during Covid19 which contains some suggestions and ideas on learning and maintaining ESOL through the coronavirus outbreak period, as well as links to online courses.
• A technology list of courses available online for all different ages can be found here .

Health:

[added 29.04]

• COVID-19 Mental Health And Addiction Resources - ARK Behavioural Health have shared a range of resource on Mental Health and Addiction. These can be found here.

[added 08.04]

• Mental Health and wellbeing recovery action plan - UK.Gov have produced a Covid-19 mental health and wellbeing recovery action plan. It ‘sets out an ambitious, cross-government, whole-person approach to promoting positive mental health and supporting people living with mental illness to recover and live well. While this plan sets out what government will do in the coming year, it is also a call to action for the whole of society, for local communities, families and for individuals, who can take simple steps to look after their own wellbeing and the wellbeing of those around them – and can reach out for support, including from mental health services when necessary.’ To access the plan, click here.

[added 30.03]

• World Health Organisation COVID explained topics - These topics include how a vaccine works, how they are developed, manufacturing, safety and quality control of vaccines, the race for a COVID-19 vaccine, access and allocation, country readiness for COVID-19 vaccines, the effects of virus variants on COVID-19 vaccines and routine immunization during COVID-19. These are developed into graphics and videos and are available from many different languages. To access, click here.
• Ask Doc videos on both the vaccines - How Does the Astra Zeneca Vaccine Work? Available in English, Arabic, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Pashto, Turkish, Urdu. How Does the Pfeizer Vaccine Work? Available in: English, Arabic, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Pashto, Urdu.

[added 10.03]

• NHS GP Registration Campaign material - People won’t be invited to receive a Covid-19 vaccination unless they are registered with a GP. NHS England have launched a GP registration campaign making people aware they do not need to provide proof of address or identification. Communications materials have been produced   to help people to register with a GP and they can be accessed here.
• Doctor's of the World updated COVID-19 translated resources  - Now available in over 60 lanugages in both audio and text form. Click here to access.

[added 17.12]

• Migrant groups accessing healthcare - Refused Asylum Seekers and all other migrant groups are not chargeable for any treatment or diagnosis of coronavirus and can access healthcare services for this free of charge. For more information see: NHS visitor and migrant cost recovery programme.

[added 22.10]

• UASC Health website COVID resource - UASC health have put a page on their website solely for resources and information in relation to COVID-19 which includes Doctors of the World updates, PHE updates and information packs too. Click here to access.

[added 05.10]

• Update to Doctor's of the World's Infographics on Migrant's right to health -  The infographics are currently available in 13 languages: English, Amharic, Arabic, Chinese, Dari, Gujarati, Hindi, Sorani Kurdish, Persian, Punjabi, Somali, Tamil and Tigrinya which can be accessed here. You can find more translated resources, including the latest government advice on COVID-19 and motion graphic videos with key information for migrants, here.

[added 23.09]

• How to look after your mental health during Covid-19 - Migration Yorkshire have kindly put together mental health resources in one place, including returning to school after the coronavirus lockdown, looking after your mental health as we come out of lockdown and lots more. Click here to access all of the resources available.

[added 22.09]

• COVID infograhics on National Eye Health Week - The aim of this week is to highlight the importance of eye health!⁣ To help raise awareness, we will be uploading four eye health graphics over this week.⁣ #nationaleyehealthweek In English, Arabic, French, Hindi, Lithuanian, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Romanian, Swahili, Polish, Vietnamese, Tamil and Traditional Chinese. Click here to access.

[added 18.09]

• Doctors of the World's wellbeing guidance - in partnership with Thrive LDN, has produced wellbeing guidance to support migrant communities during COVID-19. Titled “Six ways to improve your wellbeing”, the guidance is available in 27 languages: English, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Dari, Farsi, Filipino, French, Hindi, Kurdish, Malayalam, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi India, Punjabi Pakistan, Romanian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese. Click here to acess.

[added 16.09]

• Public Health England launches new Every Mind Matters campaign - With children and young people now back at school or college, the new Public Health England (PHE) Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign provides NHS-endorsed tips and advice to help children and young people’s mental wellbeing, and equip parents and carers with the knowledge to support them. Click here to read more on the news story, or here to access details on the campaign. 

[added 27.08]

• Doctors of the World guidance updated and available in 60 languages - including wellbeing guidance with tips and advice for migrants, videos of covid guidance and much much more. Click here to access.

[added 14.08]

• Doctor's of the World updated COVID-19 translated resources - on self-isolating (now 10 days), face coverings on public transport as well as testing information in Scotland. Available in 35 languages and more to come. Click here to access the resource.

[added 22.07]

• Public Health England have produced translated campaign posters on COVID-19 ‘Stay alert to stay safe’ posters - These have been translated into Bengali, Indian-Punjabi, Pakistani-Punjabi, Polish, Slovak, Somali and Urdu covering hand washing, limiting contact, keeping a safe distance, self-isolation and working from home. Click here to access these posters.

[added 23.06]

• Updated Doctors of the World motion graphic videos with key COVID-19 information for migrants living in the UK - including information and advice on testing & wearing face masks as well as the font type errors in Bengali & Kurdish Sorani videos are now fixed. These are available in 11 priority languages: Bengali, Bulgarian, English, Kurdish Sorani, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Turkish and Vietnamese. Click here to access.

[added 19.06]

• Doctors of the world guidance now in 60 languages - which can be accessed here. The complete list: Afrikaans, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Armenian, Bengali, Bulgarian, Burmese, Czech, Dari, Dutch, English, Estonian, Farsi, Filipino, Finnish, French, German, Greek, Gujarati, Hausa, Hindi, Hungarian, Igbo, Indonesian, Italian, Kiswahili, Korean, Krio, Kurdish Sorani, Latvian, lgbo, Lithuanian, Malayalam, Nepali, Oromo, Pahari, Pashto, Pidgin, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Romany, Russian, Simplified Chinese, Sindhi, Slovak, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Tetum, Tigrinya, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Twi, Urdu, Vietnamese, Wolof, Yiddish, Yoruba

[added 15.06]

• Coronavirus overview document put together by Public Health England - including key messages, how to wash hands, top tips for good hygiene, PPE and much more. This document also contains the Homeless Health Outbreak Management / Testing Protocol for the South East Region. Click here to access.

[added 10.06]

• How to register with a GP practice and what to do if refused - This includes a dedicated leaflet for asylum seekers although it is believed that there was work to update and replace this with a more accessible leaflet (including other languages available other than on request). Click here for more information.

[added 03.06]

• Mental Health support posters/ leaflets - including where you can find mental health support during COVID-19 , getting the right mental health support for you during COVID-19 as well as 5 Ways to Wellbeing . 

[added 02.06]

• Videos explaining changes to Doctor (GP) Appointment in 14 different languages - including English, Urdu, Hindi, Bengali, Mandarin, Farsi, Arabic, Czech, Kurdish, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Slovakian and Tigrinya.

[added 01.06]

• Doctors of the World have published a report relation to the impact of COVID-19 - This report looks at the impact of COVID-19 on excluded people in England which can be found here.

[added 22.05]

• Doctors of the World UK now availble in 55 languages - The updated version includes changes in social distancing rules and the new symptom of coronavirus (see attached for contents). Please note the guidance is valid across the UK. Click here to access these resources.

[added 20.05]

• Government  guidance on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during COVID-19 - Advice for parents and carers on looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children or young people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Click here to access.
• Resources and guidance for children in care and care leavers - BECOME, the charity for children in care and care leavers have produced some resources and guidance for those who may be feeling anxious about coronavirus (COVID-19). This includes FAQs, weekly link ups, use of social media and much more. Click here to access.

[added 19.05]

• Free Guide To Living With Worry And Anxiety Amidst Global Uncertainty - Pyschology Tools have put together resources in many different languages on living with worry and anxiety amidst the current global pandemic. It includes information on the worry chain and information on activities that mabe useful. For more information, click here.
• Mental Health resources - that are all available in other languages and has been compiled from a variety of sources. Click here to download.

[added 06.05]

• Audio metal health resources - Touchstone / IAPT have created an online audio resource in Iranian/ Farsi/ Persian to support mental health and wellbeing. The audios include muscular techniques and grounding techniques and many more. Click here to access. 
• Oral Health - how to access dentistry during the pandemic - BASCD has just released some high level oral health messages for families along with information on how to access NHS dentistry during the pandemic. To access, click here.

[added 28.04]

• Updated guidance on NHS entitlement for migrants - Link have been added to translated COVID-19 guidance for the public as well as added translated message on COVID-19 testing and treatment free of charge to visitors from outside the EEA in 40 different languages. To access this guidance, click here.
• Doctors of the world guidance now in 49 languages which can be accessed here. They also have available coronavirus video advice in 10 language including English, Arabic, Kurdish and many more. Click here to access the videos. Doctors of the World would like to hear your feedback, ideas and suggestions in terms of their advice on COVID-19, please click here to give your thoughts. 

[added 23.04]

• Resource for professionals coping with PPE -  developed by Performing Medicine which covers top tips to using PPe in the current circumstances including preparation, breathing, speaking, clothing and many more. Click here to access the guidance.

[added 22.04]

• Coping strategies for anxious times - Bristol City Council, NHS and Traumatic Stress Services have produced guidance on coping strategies for anxious times during the coronavirus outbreak in 15 different languages. These include English , French , Pashto , Somali , Albanian , Arabic , Bengali , Mandarin , Polish , Romanian , Farsi ,Tigrinya , Turkish , Urdu and Sorani .
• Translated mental health material/ resources - This page provides direct links to national and international websites and databases enabling refugees and asylum seekers, social and mental health care professionals, organisations and agencies working with them in the UK and internationally to easily access an abundance of translated mental as well as general health resources and information in a variety of languages. To access this resource, click here. 
  

[added 15.04]

• The Samaritans resources on mental health - they have gathered some resources to help individuals look after their wellbeing at this time. The resources include if you are finding things tough, looking after your own mental health, remote working, social media, coronavirus symptoms and worrying about someone else. To access these, please click here.

[added 06.04]

• Tips, advice and guidance on where you can get support for your mental health for young people- YoungMinds have put together an information page together with tips, advice and guidance on where you can get support for mental health during the coronavirus pandemic, including dealing with anxiety, eating disorders and low moods. This can be found here. They have also put together a help page for parents supporting children through the pandemic, which can be found here.

[added 30.03]

• Guidance for the public on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus (COVID-19) - This guide provides advice on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak, including areas on how to improve your wellbeing as well as details of dealing with a mental health crisis or emergency. The guidance can be accessed here.

[added 25.03]

• Access to Healthcare—Treatment for COVID-19 (and all communicable diseases) is free for everybody, however many migrants may not know this. There are important mechanisms of support and demands that local communities can make in order to ensure that everybody can access care. NHS have provided guidance on migrant health than can be found here.
• Doctors of The World have shared with us-19 guidance for patients produced in 21 languages: English, Albanian, Dari, French, Pashto, Portuguese, Bengali, Vietnamese, Kurdish Sorani is available at the moment, but more languages coming soon: Mandarin, Hindi, Urdu, Arabic, Spanish, Portuguese, Malayalam, Turkish, , Farsi, Amharic, Tigrinya, Somali. It is accessible here. The guidance is based on the government’s updated advice and health information and was produced in partnership with the British Red Cross, Migrant Help and Clear Voice.
• There is also a collection of guidance for health professionals, which can be found here.

Other Guidance/ Resources:

[added 20.07]

• Updated: NHS entitlements: migrant health guide - This guidance is about NHS entitlements in England and it aimed at healthcare practitioners. This update includes an added video explaining entitlements to NHS services for migrants in England. Click here to access.
• Translated: Covid-19 infographics announce delay to UK restrictions easing - Covid-19 Infographics have published translated versions of an infographic announcing the UK government’s delay to the easing of restrictions, with the date now set for 19th July. Available in English, Arabic, Chinese (Traditional), French, German, Gujarati, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Spanish, Tamil, Turkish and Yoruba.
• Updated: Translated Video - Don't take lateral flow tests if you have symptoms - Ask Doc have created translated videos suggesting people shouldn’t use lateral flow tests if they have covid symptoms, and explaining what people should do instead. Available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Traditional), Farsi, Gujarati, Malayalam, Pashto, Romanian, Somali, Sylheti, Tamil and Urdu.
• Translated: Arabic letter explaining changes to UK's coronavirus restrictions on 19th July - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing this detailed letter in English and Arabic explaining the changes in Covid-19 restrictions from 19th July. Click here to access.
• Translated: Official guidance for people providing unpaid care during COVID-19 - The government has issued guidance for anyone who provides unpaid care for a friend or family member in England. This includes people who have a lifelong condition, illness, disability, serious injury, mental health condition or an addiction. It is available in English, Easy Read, Large Print, Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi (Indian), Punjabi (Pakistani), Slovak, Somali, Urdu and Welsh.
• Translated: Official COVID-19 lateral flow home test kit instructions for throat and nose test - UK Gov have published a step-by-step guide on how to do a COVID-19 rapid throat and nose test at home, either for yourself or a child and how to report the results. The guide is available in English, Easy Read, Large Print, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi (Indian), Romanian, Somali, Turkish, Urdu and Welsh.
• Translated: Official COVID-19 lateral flow home test kit instructions for nose-only test - UK Gov have published a step-by-step guide on how to do a COVID-19 rapid nose-only test at home, either for yourself or a child and how to report the results.  This guide is available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi (Indian), Punjabi (Pakistani), Romanian, Slovak, Somali, Turkish, Urdu and Welsh.
• Official Covid-19 guidance for parents and carers - early years, schools, colleges and out-of-school clubs - As we approach Step 4 of the roadmap out of lockdown on 19th July, the UK government has updated its guidance for the parents and carers of children in education as well as adults in further education colleges.This guidance provides advice on minimising the transmission of Covid-19 covering all ages from nursery to college age children. Click here to access.

[added 05.07]

• Translated: (COVID-19) Coronavirus restrictions- what you can and cannot do from 21 June 2021 - From 21 June 2021, the government have made some changes to the Covid-19 restrictions. Full information on all restrictions is available from the Gov.UK website including translations in Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi (Gurmukhi), Punjabi (Shahmukhi), Slovak, Somali, Urdu, Welsh and easy read English.
• Translated: How to stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) - Gov.UK have produced guidance on how everyone can help stop the spread of coronavirus. This has been updated in the following languages - Available in: English, Easy read, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Kurdish, Lithuanian, Nepali, Pahari, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi (Gurmukhi), Punjabi (Shahmukhi), Romanian, Shona, Slovak, Somali, Spanish, Sylheti, Tagalog, Tamil, Tigrinya, Turkish, Ukrainian, Urdu.
• COVID Toolkit Pack- by Leeds City Council (thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing) this pack has been updated to include key messages for older people and why they think people should say yes to the vaccine. All posters and leaflets are still available. To access, click here.
• Translated: Arabic letter explaining UK's coronavirus restrictions until 19th July - North Yorkshire County Council have kindly shared a letter translated into Arabic, explaining how the UK’s coronavirus restrictions will be maintained until at least 19th July 2021.The UK government is delaying lifting the remaining restrictions to provide more time for people under the age of 40 years to receive the COVID-19 vaccine, in the face of rising infections from the so-called delta variant of COVID-19. A summary of the restrictions are covered. To access, click here.
• Official: Videos for health professionals: Migrant entitlements to NHS services and vaccination - UK Gov have published two new animations on the NHS entitlements for migrants in the UK. They outline which NHS services and vaccinations migrants should be able to access and are aimed at healthcare professionals who support migrants in their practice. The animation below is called Entitlements to NHS services for migrants in England and is separated into the following sections. To access the videos, click here.
• New Handbook of Refugee Health published - Published by CRC press, this book helps to recognize the rights of refugees and provides a framework to identify and approach health needs, from basic elements like service mapping and initial interventions to more complex elements of ongoing healthcare and support and broader topics such as migration public health, migration policy and health systems. To access the book, click here.

[added 21.06]

• Access to NHS services for EU citizens after 1st July 2021 - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing Doctors of the World have released a new briefing on the NHS healthcare entitlement of EU citizens, regardless of immigration status.‘EU citizens, regardless of their immigration status, will be entitled to register with a GP and receive NHS primary care services free of charge. Click here to access the briefing. 
• Translated: 'I've had my Covid vaccine' video - The Leeds Health Partnerships team have produced this excellent video featuring people from Leeds communities who have chosen to have the Covid vaccine and want to encourage further uptake. In the video, representatives from a diverse range of communities lend their support in English, Arabic, Bengali, BSL, Cantonese, Dari, Farsi, Czech, Irish, French, Hindi, Mandarin, Pashto, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Slovak, Thai, Turkish, Vietnamese and Urdu. To access the video, click here.
• COVID-19 Infographics update on the delay in Step 4 - Available in Arabic, French, German, Gujarati, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portugese, Romanian, Spanish, Tamil, Chinese, Turkish and Yoruba. Click here to access the twitter thread.
• COVID-19 Infographics update on COVID Vaccine - Available in English, Arabic, French, German, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portugese, Romanian, Spanish, Swahili, Chinese, Turkish and Urdu. Click here to access the twitter thread.

[added 15.06]

• Translated: Stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus - UK.Gov have produced guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus infection. Contents include Who this guidance is for, Symptoms, Tests for COVID-19, Main messages, If you have COVID-19 symptoms or have received a positive COVID-19 test result, If you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19Visitors to the household, How COVID-19 is spread, Reducing the spread of COVID-19 in your household, Looking after your health and wellbeing and Financial or other practical support. Available in English, Easy-read, Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi (India), Urdu. Stay at home illustration (English)
• Updated - Translated: 6 key facts about Covid-19 vaccines - Barts Health NHS Trust has produced some translated versions of key facts to help keep people informed about the Covid-19 vaccine.The information is available in: English, Arabic, Bangladeshi, Cantonese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Lithuanian, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Spanish, Tamil, Urdu.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination status for travelling abroad - You can now request a COVID-19 vaccination status letter to be posted to you via the NHS.uk website or you can get a digitial copy. To find out more information about this, click here.
• Translated: 5 videos & leaflets explaining the English health system in Arabic - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing, Lancashire County Council commissioned Rethink Rebuild Society to create a series of videos in Arabic that aim to raise awareness about Health System in England amongst Arabic-speaking Refugees. Below each video there is also a link with a booklet that includes more information about each topic. The videos are currently available on Rethink Rebuild Society YouTube channel are

  1. Introduction to the Health System in England: video : leaflet : English

  2. Mental Health: video : leaflet : English

  3. Dental services: video : leaflet : English

  4. Family Planning and Maternity Care : video : leaflet : English

  5. Healthy Lifestyles: video : English (leaflet to come)

[added 07.06]

• Translated: Official - Blood clotting and Covid-19 vaccination - Uk.Gov / Public Health England have made and translated a leaflet: COVID-19 vaccination and blood clotting. Available in: English, Braille,  Large Print, BSL, as well as, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Farsi, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian and Urdu.
• Translated: Video - Take up the vaccine and spread the word - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing, Leeds NHS and South Asian Arts-uk have produced a light-hearted, co-produced video encouraging people to come forward and have the COVID-19 vaccine - and to spread the word in their community when they've had their vaccination to encourage others to do the same. Available in English with subtitles in Arabic, Czech, Farsi, Kurdish (Sorani), Polish, Punjabi (India), Romanian, Slovak, Tigrinya, Urdu
• Updated: Translated Video - Don't take lateral flow test if you have symptoms - Ask Doc have created translated videos suggesting people don’t use lateral flow tests if they have covid symptoms, and explaining what people should do instead. Available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Traditional), Farsi, Gujarati, Romanian and Urdu
• Translated: Official - guide to phase 2 of the vaccination programme - UK.gov have produced COVID-19 vaccination: a guide to phase 2 of the programme. This covers areas such as the types of vaccine, risks, eligibility, side effects and lots more.  Available in: English, Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Brazilian Portuguese, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Farsi, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Polish, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian and Urdu.
• Translated: Official - Covid-19 vaccination status letter explained - UK.gov have published translated versions of a letter explaining how people can prove their vaccination status, for example for travel purposes. Available in: English, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Cantonese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Lithuanian, Mandarin, Nepalese, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi (India), Romanian, Spanish, Urdu
• Translated: Updated - Community Connectors share their vaccine experience - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing, #KirkleesWelcomes Community Connectors who have had the vaccine are developing their own messages to share with migrant communities to encourage others to take up the offer of the vaccine. More messages will continue to be added at Welcome to Kirklees. Audio for whatsapp: Albanian, Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani, Mandarin, Spanish, Somali, Tigrinya, Turkish and Urdu - recorded by Volunteers from DASH, Videos: Arabic, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu

[added 24.05]

• Translated: Videos: How a lateral flow test is done at a testing centre - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing. Kirklees Council have produced these videos, recorded at the Hudawi Community Centre, one of Kirklees community testing sites. They aim to explain how to carry out a lateral flow test. Available in Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Farsi, Hungarian, Kurdish (Sorani), Mandarin, Polish, Punjabi (India), Romanian, Spanish, Urdu
• Refugee Council Helpline Service Update - The Refugee Council’s England-wide Infoline service will extend, at this stage, until 31st July. To access or find out more, click here.
• Translated: Official - How to take a home Covid test - UK.gov have translated COVID-19 PCR home test kit instructions Available in: English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Hindi, Punjabi (India), Punjabi (Pakistan), Polish, Slovenian, Somali, Urdu, Welsh.
• Translated: Official - Covid-19 vaccination status letter explained - UK.gov have published translated versions of a letter explaining how people can prove their vaccination status, for example for travel purposes. There is not currently an English version available. Available in: Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Cantonese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Lithuanian, Mandarin, Nepalese, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi (India), Romanian, Spanish, Urdu.
• Comparative statistics on deaths in faith communities during the pandemic - The office for national statistics has produced ‘Deaths involving COVID-19 by religious group, England: 24 January 2020 to 28 February 2021’ explaining the experience of death and bereavement by different faith communities during the pandemic. ‘This article reports age-standardised rates of death involving the coronavirus (COVID-19) by religious group and uses statistical models to adjust for location, measures of disadvantage, occupation, living arrangements, and pre-existing health conditions. It compares the risk of COVID-19 mortality in two discrete periods aligned to each wave of the pandemic.’ Click here to access the report.
• Translated: Updated - Vaccination - women of childbearing age, currently pregnant or breastfeeding - UK.Gov have updated their information leaflet: COVID-19 vaccination: a guide for women of childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding. Available in: Easy Read, BSL,.Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Farsi, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Panjabi, Portuguese Brazilian, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Spanish, Turkish, Twi, Ukrainian and Urdu.
• Translated: Community Connectors share their vaccine experience - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing. #KirkleesWelcomes Community Connectors who have had the vaccine are developing their own messages to share with migrant communities to encourage others to take up the offer of the vaccine. More messages will continue to be added at Welcome to Kirklees. Currently available are: Audio for whatsapp: Arabic, Farsi, Spanish, Turkish - recorded by Volunteers from DASH as well as videos: Arabic, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu.
• Translated: Infographic - Roadmap stage 3 - Covid19infographics have made Roadmap stage 3 infographics. Available in English, Arabic, French,  German, Hindi, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian,  Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Tigrinya, Chinese (Traditional), Turkish. Full guidance can be found at here.
• Updated: Changes to the asylum and immigration process due to Covid-19 - Right to Remain have updated their ‘Changes to the asylum and immigration process due to Covid-19’ guide. This includes information on asylum screening interviews, asylum substantive interviews, further submissions, asylum support, visas, appeals, reporting to the Home Office and detention. Click here to access.
• COVID-19 vaccination: A guide to phase 2 of the programme by NHS - This leafet explains phase 2 of the COVID-19 vaccination programme, who is eligible and who needs to have the vaccine to protect them from Coronavirus. To access, click here.

[added 10.05]

• Translated: Official - Blood clotting and Covid-19 vaccination - Public Health England have made and translated a leaflet: COVID-19 vaccination and blood clotting. Available in: English, Braille,  Large Print, BSL, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Kurdish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Polish, Portuguese Brazilian, Russian, Twi, Ukrainian, Urdu.
• Translated: What to expect after your Covid-19 vaccination - UK.Gov has added to the What to expect after your COVID-19 vaccination leaflet collection. It is now available in leaflet form in English, Braille and large print (available to order.) Easy Read, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese, Estonian, Greek, Gujarati, Hindi, Kurdish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Panjabi, Polish, Portuguese Brazilian, Russian, Twi, Ukrainian and Urdu.
• Translated: Covid-19: ethical framework for adult social care - Uk.Gov have produced ‘Guidance on ethical considerations for local authorities and adult social care professionals planning their response to COVID-19.’ Available in: English, Easy Read, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi (India), Punjabi (Pakistan), Slovenian, Somali, Urdu
• Translated: Diabetes and the vaccine videos - Diabetes UK have produced these videos to explain the importance of Covid-19 vaccination for people with diabetes. Available in: English, Arabic, Bengali, Cantonese, Gujarati, HIndi, Kannanda, Malayalam, Mandarin, Marathi, Marathi (alternate presenter), Punjabi (India), Sindhi, Tamil,   Urdu, Urdu (alternate presenter), Yoruba
• Translated: Tourism in the UK and Covid-19 - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing. These posters were produced by Devon County Council for tourism providers to share with their guests in order to help reduce the risk of a local outbreak of coronavirus. They are helpful for anyone travelling within the UK. To access these, click here.
• Translated: Community Connectors share their vaccine experience - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing. #KirkleesWelcomes Community Connectors who have had the vaccine are developing their own messages to share with migrant communities to encourage others to take up the offer of the vaccine. More messages will continue to be added at Welcome to Kirklees. Arabic, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu. Volunteers from DASH are also sharing their experience Arabic, Farsi.
• Translated: 6 key facts about Covid-19 vaccines - Barts Health NHS Trust has produced some translated versions of key facts to help keep people informed about the Covid-19 vaccine. The information is available in: Arabic, Bangladeshi, Cantonese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Lithuanian, Mandarin, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Spanish, Tamil and Urdu.
• Covid and looking after yourself at home booklets - Leeds Public Health and partners have produced 2 booklets. Both booklets can be ordered and delivered for free directly to your base of operations. Including Keeping safe in your home during coronavirus (multi-generational) as well as Keeping well at home.
• Translated: ‘Everything you need to know about the Covid-19 vaccine’ - British Red Cross vaccine infosheet, with simple infographics followed by more detailed guidance. Can be downloaded in: English, Arabic , Bengali, Hindi, Punjabi, Urdu, Yorùba.
• Easy read vaccine infographics and stories - CLDS / Beyond Words have produced easy read vaccine infographics and stories around taking a covid-19 vaccine. Having a vaccine and Vaccine story. 
• Covid-19 frequently asked questions about fertility and pregnancy - The British Fertility Society have produced guidance on: Covid-19 vaccines and fertility. NHS have produced COVID-19 FAQs about fertility and pregnancy. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists are also offering a wide range of information and guidance around Covid-19, pregnancy and fertility, including specific advice for people from minoritised ethnicities.

[added 26.04]

• Translated material on 'it's OK to have the vaccination in Ramadan' videos - Ask Doc in association with Greater Manchester Muslim Forum, have produced translated videos explaining it is OK to have the vaccine in Ramadan. These are available in: English, Pashto, Urdu
• Translated: From lockdown to relaxation: tips on looking after your mental health - The Mental Health Foundation is part of the national mental health response during the coronavirus outbreak. They have provided translated guidance covering six main themes, Fear and anxiety, Tips on coping with fear and anxiety, Coping with uncertainty, Picking up social lives, Looking after children and family, Grief. (The English version is provided below). These are available in: English, Arabic, French, Farsi, Somali, Tigrinya, Urdu, Welsh
• Translated: Updated Spot the Signs Videos - A new set of translated films about spotting Covid-19 symptoms, how to get a test, and the support available if you have to self-isolate are now ready to view on the Coronavirus Information in Different Languages playlist on YouTube. The films are called COVID-19 Spot The Signs and have been translated into the top 12 most spoken languages in Leeds. These are available in Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Czech, Farsi, Kurdish (Sorani), Polish, Punjabi (India), Romanian, Slovak, Tigrinya, Urdu
• Official Posters: You can have the vaccine during Ramadan - NHS / Public Health England have produced this three posters for vaccination providers, retail and food outlets, hairdressers/barbers and health and personal care outlets, community locations, gyms, looked after settings, local council services and educational establishments to display during Ramadan and EID. The three posters can be accessed here.
• Mental health and wellbeing support for Muslim people - The Muslim Council for Britain has produced a helpful list of Muslim mental health and wellbeing support services. Mental health within Muslim communities is still often not discussed openly. Since the outbreak of the pandemic in 2020, several Muslim mental health organisations in the UK have come together to collaborate and provide a range of initiatives for communities nationwide.’
• Multilingual COVID-19 helpline - Boloh by Barnardos is for Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic children (11+), young people, and parents or carers, affected by Covid-19. They can provide emotional support, practical advice and signposting to other organisations who can provide further help, and they can support professionals to support a child or young person they are working with. On the phone, our helpline advisors can talk to you in English, Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi and Polish. Therapists can provide therapeutic support in English, Gujarati, Urdu, Bengali, French, Spanish, Arabic, Punjabi, Mirpuri, Pothwari, Hinko, Hindi and Sundhi. Click here to find out more.
• Translated material on information for people in multiple occupancy housing - Suffolk Council have produced these infographics about staying safer in shared housing. Available in; English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, French, Kurdish (Sorani), Lithuanian, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Tigrinya, Turkish 
• Translated: UK.Gov guidance for households with possible coronavirus infection (including when everyone is vaccinated) - UK.Gov have produced and translated guidance for: ‘people with symptoms that may be caused by COVID-19, including those who are waiting for a test, people who have received a positive COVID-19 test result (whether or not they have symptoms) and people who currently live in the same household as someone with COVID-19 symptoms, or with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19’. Available in: English,  Easy Read, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi (India), Urdu and with a Stay at home illustration
• Translated guidance for people who need to travel to work -  Suffolk County Council have created infographics to support people who need to travel to work. Available in: English, Arabic, Kurdish (Sorani), French, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish
• Translated: Astra Zeneca - Blood clots - video advice from Thrombosis UK - Thrombosis UK have produced information videos on vaccination and blood clotting. Available in: Arabic, French, Punjabi (India), Urdu
• Translated: Factsheets addressing myths about vaccines - International SOS have produced Covid-19 Vaccination Myths vs Facts factsheets providing detailed responses to these Myths. Available in: English, French, German, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish
• Translated: Long Covid information sheets and infographics - International SOS have produced long-COVID (Post-COVID-19 syndrome) information sheets and infographics covering what long-COVID is and some the symptons, who is at risk, how to contact if you have long-COVID, are you safe to be around others, how will it be treated and more. COVID-19 Long-COVID Information Sheet - English, French , German, Spanish as well as COVID-19 Long-COVID Infographic - English, French, German, Spanish
• Translated: Post Covid syndrome / long Covid - caring for yourself - South East London CCG have produced a detailed guide: Caring for yourself after coronavirus (COVID-19) booklet  available in English, Spanish and Portuguese
• Translated: Guide to taking a lateral flow test - NHS step-by-step guide for COVID-19 self-testing if you are symptom-free. Available in English, Easy Read, Large Print, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi (Gurmukhi script), Romanian | Somali, Turkish, Urdu, Welsh
• Translated: Symptom free test and trace information for parents and carers - Information for parents and carers on COVID-19 symptom-free (rapid) testing. English, Arabic, Bengali , Chinese, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi (India), Punjabi (Pakistan), Romanian, Slovak, Somali, Urdu, Welsh
• Translated: NHS - when and how to book your vaccine appointment - UK Gov / NHS letter explaining when and how to book your vaccine appointment, and the choices available. Available in: English, Albanian,  Arabic,  Bengali,  Chinese,  Farsi,  Gujarati,  Hindi,  Kurdish,  Nepali, Panjabi, Polish, Romanian, Somali, Spanish, Tagalog and Urdu.
• Official Guidance on accessing green spaces and outdoor activities safely - UK.Gov have produced new guidance about staying safe while outdoors covering Travelling to green spaces, Sports facilities, Attractions, Respect other people and protect the natural environment, If you own or manage land. To access the overall guidance, click here.
• Your Covid Recovery Info Hub - NHS have created a site to support people recovering from covid / facing “long covid”. The resource offers advice on all aspects of Covid recovery, and specifically looking at the road to recovery and the wellbeing of individuals.
• Asthma UK and British Lung Foundation POST covid hub - which is also available here.
• Managing anxiety and new routines after lockdown -  Leeds Community Healthcare NHS Trust have developed the following leaflets for patients: Managing anxiety leaflet and Managing new routines leaflet.

[added 08.04] 

• MORE LANGUAGES on COVID-19 Infographics Step 1 of our 'Roadmap out of Lockdown' graphic - these now include: English, Arabic, German, Polish, Portuguese, Swahili, Tamil, Chinese, Turkish, Romanian, Lithuanian, French, Hindi, Spanish and Tigrinya. 
• Translated simple audio messages around the easing of lockdown restrictions - Some lockdown restrictions eased from the 29 March. The Mayor of Londons’ office translated WhatsApp audio clips explain some of the new rules and guidance in Bengali, Gujarati, Polish, Romanian, Turkish and Somali.
• Translated resources around pregnancy and maternity - Suffolk and North East Essex NHS have collated translated advice on Covid-19 and information on pregnancy, birth and postnatal information. This open access collection of leaflets, audio recordings and videos, are available on this Padlet. When you initially click, you can see a range of language ‘headers’ with the well known Doctors of the World Covid resources visible beneath them. Different resources are available in BSL, Arabic, Albanian, Bengali, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Kurdish (Sorani), Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi (India), Romani, Romanian, Slovak, Chinese (Traditional), Turkish, Urdu. Click here to access.
• Translated Official guidance: What you can and can't do - Translated summaries, by UK.Gov of “Coronavirus restrictions: what you can and cannot do” covering rules from 12 April. These are available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi (India), Punjabi (Pakistan), Slovak, Somali, Urdu, Welsh.
• Translated: Face coverings: when to wear one, exemptions, and how to make one - UK.Gov have updated their face covering guidance to reflect current restrictions and to explain when to wear a face covering, exemptions from wearing one, and how to make your own face covering. There are also links to printable exemption cards and available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Urdu.

[added 30.03]

• COVID-19 Infographics Step 1 of our 'Roadmap out of Lockdown' graphic - which describes the rules being lifted from 29 March. Available in English, Arabic, German, Polish, Portuguese, Swahili, Tamil, Chinese and Turkish. Click here to access the thread.
• Translated Gov guidance on when to go to hospital - Available in: English, Easy read, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi, Punjabi (Pakistan) Slovene, Somali, Urdu, Welsh
• NHS text alerts for COVID jab - The NHS have begun texting people from 10 March 2021 inviting them to book their COVID jab, making it quicker and more convenient to get an appointment. The messages will include a web link for those eligible to click and reserve an appointment at one of more than 300 large-scale vaccination centres or pharmacies across England. For more information on this, click here.
• Updated guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic - The guidance covers - What you need to know, Looking after your own mental health, Promoting mental wellbeing and helping children and young people cope during the pandemic, How children and young people of different ages may react, Advice for groups with additional mental health needs or facing specific issues, Eating disorders, Children and young people with learning disabilities, Autistic children and young people, Children or young people with physical health issues, Children and young people who care for others, Support for students in further or higher education, Experiencing grief or bereavement, Where to get further support, Where to get urgent help as well as Helplines and websites for children and young people. Available in: English, Easy-read,  Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi (India), Urdu
• Translated Letter to those most at risk- This letter explains additional vulnerabilities, offers guidance on staying safe and how to access support.Available in  English, large print, easy read, audio, BSL, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu.
• Videos urging people to 'please get the vaccine' - Ask Doc have created a video series asking people to ‘please get the vaccine’. Available in English, Bengali, Sylheti - more languages anticipated.
• Translated: What to do after you have had the vaccine - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing, Sheffield CCG have produced a collection of animated videos explaining to people what to do after they have had the vaccine. Key messages include: 'Protection takes 2-3 weeks to kick in, Being vaccinated does not mean you are fully protected, It is very important to have the second dose, It is still possible to transmit covid after having had the vaccine, You should continue to keep yourself and others safe (the video details how), We know its hard - please don’t be tempted to let your guard down - your actions matter'. Available in: English, Bengali, Chinese, Farsi, Gujarati, Kurdish (Sorani) Polish, Romanian, Somali, Spanish
• Briefing: tailored vaccination outreach to socially excluded groups - Doctors of the World have produced a briefing on tailored outreach COVID-19 vaccination delivery services. The briefing aims to support local authorities and healthcare commissioners and providers to design vaccine services for socially excluded patient groups. To access the briefing, click here.
• Guidance on shared and overcrowded housing - This guidance is for people living in all types of housing, in particular for people who live in: accommodation with shared facilities, such as a block of flats, overcrowded accommodation or shared accommodation. This guidance applies to those who rent their accommodation, and people who own their accommodation. There is additional guidance for landlords and tenants. 
• Differences in the experience of Covid-19 by men and women - Office for National Statistics have produced Coronavirus and the different effects on men and women in the UK: March 2020 to February 2021. It brings together different sources to examine how men and women have been affected differently throughout the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Includes information on physical health, mental health, paid work, unpaid work, home-schooling, and loneliness. To access the report, click here.
• Letter sent to clinically extremely vulnerable - UK.Gov sent this letter to clinically extremely vulnerable people on the Shielded Patient List on March 18 2021. Available in: English, large print, BSL, audio, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (Simplified), Chinese (Traditional), French, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu
• Translated resources to support people who are shielding - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing, Leeds Shielding Diversity Group has created New spoken material in community languages (inc. BSL) available to support people who are shielding. Each week, the Shielding Diversity Group interpreters and volunteers (several of whom with experience of shielding) shape key messages to support people who are shielding. They then interpret the messages into community languages such as Arabic, French and BSL, producing video clips and audio files to go with slides. If you or anyone you know would like to access this information, please email covid.partners@leeds.gov.uk or text 07480 632 471 with the number of the topic and the language you would like it in or If you would like to join the group of community interpreters, please also contact covid.partners@leeds.gov.uk and we can send you more information about joining the project.
• Houses with multiple occupancy - a simple guide to staying safer during covid-19 - Forum Central created a helpful infographic for people living in multiple occupancy houses. To access, click here.

[added 10.03]

• Get your Vaccine Video in Multiple Languages - Thanks to Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue for the translated video material which can be found here on youtube. Available in mutiple languages including English, Urdu, Punjabi, Polish, Hindi, British Sign Language and Miripuri.
• Translated: Mental health and self care information - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing - Mindwell Leeds have produced a range of information on their website which has a facility enabling you to change the language of each resource. Click here to access the resource.
• Translated: UK Gov letter to people identified as high risk – aged 19 to 69 - Translated reference-only version of letter to people identified as high risk by COVID-19 population risk assessment model, aged 19 to 69 sent 17 February 2020.Available in: English, easy-read, large print, audio, BSL, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu. 
• Translated: Videos - how vaccines protect you and others - Medical Aid Films have published these vaccine explainers, explaining how vaccines work, how they are produced, and how they are safety assured.Available in: English, Arabic, French, Hindi, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili. 
• Translated: Videos supporting vaccination - Retas worked together with language speaking health professionals to produce videos encouraging vaccine uptake (based on NHS guidance). Available in: Arabic, Tigrinya and Blin (an Eritrean language). Unfortunately there is not an English script available for each video.
• Translated: Letter to clinically extremely vulnerable children and young people - UK.Gov translated a letter to clinically extremely vulnerable children and young people. Available in English, Large Print, Easy Read, BSL, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu. 
• Translated: How to access quality legal advice (and how to raise concerns about poor advice - UK.Gov have produced these series of posters on how to access OISC accredited advice, and how to raise concerns about poor advice received. Available in two separate sets in English Use a registered Immigration Adviser, Have concerns re immigration advice received? Available in one set of 8 posters in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (Simplified), Dari, French, Hindi, Kurdish (Sorani), Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi (India), Punjabi (Western), Romanian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil, Urdu, Vietnamese.
• NYA COVID-19 Guidance - The National Youth Agency (NYA) as the Professional Statutory and Regulatory Body for youth work in England has, in consultation with Public Health England and the Health and Safety Executive, developed youth sector specific advice and guidance. The guidance will support local providers, leaders, volunteers and young people to remain safe when engaging in youth sector activities. It is intended to guide the youth sector in opening up services for young people at the right pace and time. Click here to access.
• Public Health England: New 'Covid-19 - Road Map explainers - videos and infographics - Public Health England have created new coronavirus campaigns and resources for ‘COVID-19 Response: Spring 2021' – Road Map, ‘Stay Home, Protect the NHS, Save Lives’ and ‘Back to School’. These can be viewed and downloaded here.
• Easy read roadmap out of Lockdown timeline - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing, Dudley Voices for Choice have created an easy read roadmap explainer on the changes on the 8th March. Click here to access.

[added 01.03]

• Translated Zoom Handbooks - Thanks to Beyond The Page Ltd available in Arabic , Bengali , English , Kurdish , Latvian , Pashto , Persian , Turkish and Urdu.
• Translated: The roadmap out of lockdown and vaccine rollout update (Arabic) - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing - North Yorkshire County Council have shared this official translation explaining the roadmap out of lockdown, and the current situation around Covid-19 and the vaccination programme in Arabic. The information was accurate 22 February 2021. To access, click here.
• Translated: COVID-19 testing, treatment and vaccination free of charge - UK.Gov have translated key messages about access to Covid healthcare for visitors to the UK. You can download all languages in a Word document - but not all languages show correctly in the word document, so we also provide content below. Available in multiple languages.
• Translated: Guidance on the mental health and wellbeing aspects of coronavirus - GOV.UK have updated their COVID-19: guidance for the public on mental health and wellbeing and edded translations for Arabic, Bengali, Chinese simplified, Chinese traditional, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu. To access, click here.
• Translated: Maternity safety information - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing. NHS England and NHS Improvement North West have produced Maternity Safety Information in booklet and poster form. To acccess these resources, click here.
• Translated: Vaccines: what are they, how do they work, are they safe? - Covid-19 Infographics, Doctors of the World UK and London in your Language have created this graphic on general vaccine information which summarises why we have vaccine, how they work and their safety. Available in: English, Arabic, Bengali, Italian, Spanish, Persian (Farsi), Somali, Tamil, and Chinese.
• Translated: Vaccine scams - BBC Asian Network is helping people in the South Asian community to spot potential scams, with advice videos in five South Asian languages: Urdu, Punjabi, Sylheti, Tamil and Gujarati.
• Translated: Testing for coronavirus before hospital - UK.Gov translated guidance on how and when to get tested before going into hospital, Available in: English, Easy read, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi, Punjabi (Pakistan) Slovene, Somali, Urdu, Welsh
• Resource to support the health and wellbeing needs of individuals seeking asylum - Yorkshire and Humber Public Health Network have produced a stakeholder resource to support the health and wellbeing needs of individuals seeking asylum across Yorkshire and the Humber. The aim of the resource is to raise awareness amongst professionals, provide information and develop more equitable health provision for those seeking asylum in our region. There are also several other useful resources and information for working with migrants on the YHPHN website.
• GOV.UK Guidance on School attendance during COVID-19 - Information for parents and carers about attending schools, nurseries and colleges in the spring term 2021. Updated on 24th Feb. Click here to access.
• Supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during Covid - Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic created by Public Health England was updated on the 18th February. To access, click here.
• New campaign to support vaccine roll-out backed by social media companies and British institutions - Social media platforms and celebrities team up with government and NHS to launch new graphics to show support for vaccine roll-out. The new initiative allows users to update their profiles with a range of specially designed profile frames and graphics. People can use these to show “I’ve had my vaccine” or make a pledge that “I will get my vaccine” when their time comes. To read more, click here.

[added 24.02]

• Resources encouraging people to take part in vaccine research - The National Institute for Health Research has created “COVID and Me Vaccine Dramas” - short films sharing conversations about vaccine research aimed at encouraging wide participation in studies. 
• Supporting your children's remote education during coronavirus - The Department for Education has updated their information and support for parents and carers of children who are learning at home. The guidance includes sections on 'What you should expect for your child’s remote education' as well as 'Supporting your child during remote education'. Clikc here to access more.
• COVID-19: migrant health guide - Public Health England have published guidance for healthcare practitioners on the health needs of migrant patients. The advice contains information on: No charges for coronavirus (COVID-19) testing, treatment and vaccination, COVID-19 translated advice and guidance, COVID-19 general advice and guidance and Overseas travel advice during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Posters that give clear information on how to register with a GP - The NHS have shared downloadable posters to help encourage communities to register at their local GP. These posters include ‘Welcome to General Practice’ poster can be personalised with practice-specific information via the NHS website as well as the ‘Please come and register with your local GP’ poster can be displayed in any prominent places where people go for advice and support.
• Guidance for specific groups registering with GPS - NHS England has specific guidance on registering with a GP for different groups: Refugees and asylum seeking (and undocumented migrant) patients / Gypsy, Roma and Traveller communities and People experiencing homelessness. The guidance are in leaflet format and can be downloaded, printed and shared.
• Multi-channel video encouraging vaccine uptake among "BAME" communities - A video encouraging vaccine uptake among people from “BAME” communities, has been aired across all major commercial UK broadcasters
• Translated: Video - How does the Astra Zeneca vaccine work -  How Does the Astra Zeneca Vaccine Work? Videos published by Ask Doc: Feb 2021. Available in English, Arabic, Farsi, French, Pashto, Urdu
• Translated: Video - How does the Pfeizer vaccine work - How Does the Pfeizer Vaccine Work? Videos published by Ask Doc: Feb 2021. Available in: English, Arabic, Farsi, French, Pashto, Urdu
• Translated: Video series answering Vaccine FAQs and highlighting vaccine experiences -  Ask Doc have created a four part translated video series answering FAQs about Covid vaccines, and a series called ‘I’ve had my Covid Vaccination’. To share the whole series in a particular language - share these links: English, Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Kurdish, Malayalam, Punjabi (India), Pushto, Somali, Sylheti, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu
• Translated: Shielding (lockdown 3) summary infographics - An infographic series from Leeds Health Partnerships Team explaining shielding during lockdown 3. (Published January 2021). Available in: English, Easy Read, Arabic, Bengali, Czech, Farsi, Kurdish, Lithuanian, Pashto, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Slovak, Tigrinya, Urdu. Download the set here
• Translated: Vaccine encouraging infographics - Kirklees Councils’ Communication Team have produced downloadable translated resources related to vaccine. English, Albanian, Arabic, Farsi, Gujarati, Hungarian, Kurdish, Mandarin, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Spanish, Urdu
• Translated: How to keep young people safe - Doctors of the World UK offers leaflets health and wellbeing information for young refugees and unaccompanied asylum-seeking children (UASC) and young people (YP) in living in the UK. Available in 10 languages including English, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish, Oromo, Pashto, Tigrinya, and Vietnamese. To access, click here.
• Translated: Stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus - The UK Government have produced guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus infection including who the guidance is for, symptoms and lots more. Click here to read more.
• Translated: How to stop the spread of coronavirus (Covid-19) - The UK Government have produced new guidance on how everyone can help stop the spread of coronavirus including how to protect yourself, keeping a safe distance and lots more. These are available in: English, Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu
• Translated: Covid-19 - the new strain - Covid-19infographics and South Asian Health Foundation, have created the following infographics to help delineate the main variants of concern and what is currently known about them. One variant that is of particular concern is the variant first found in Kent, also known as the “UK variant”. Available in in English, Bengali, French, Italian, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Tamil, and Turkish. More languages available soon.

[added 16.02]

• Translated: Videos - ten top tips for maintaining mental wellbeing- Every Mind Matters: produced videos offering mental health tips available in different langauges including English, Bengali, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Romani, Romanian, Russian, Somali, Urdu.
• Translated: NHS volunteer responder scheme - Information on how to access NHS volunteer response support. Available in English, Cantonese (Traditional Chinese), Arabic, Bengali, Gujarati, Hindi, Mandarin (Simplified Chinese), Punjabi, Somali, Urdu
• Translated: Video - How does the Pfeizer vaccine work - Videos are available in English, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu on how the Pfeizer Vaccine works.
• Translated: Video - How does the Astra Zeneca vaccine work - Videos are available in English, Arabic, Farsi, Urdu on how the Astra Zeneca vaccine works.
• Translated: 3 part video series - Test and Trace - Public Health England commissioned these videos from Ask Doc. Unfortunately there is not an English script currently available, but this has been requested. 

  _{PHE & MHCC Covid-19 Test & Trace: Contacts}

  Available in Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Pushto, Sylheti, Tamil, Urdu

  _{PHE & MHCC Covid-19 Test & Trace: Incubation Period}

  Available in: Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Pushto, Somali, Sylheti, Tamil, Urdu

  _{PHE & MHCC Covid-19 Test & Trace: Symptoms}

  Available in: Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Punjabi, Pushto, Somali, Sylheti, Tamil, Urdu

[added 08.02]

• Translated: NHS Vaccine information videos - NHS doctors, nurses and other frontline staff have come forward to help reassure communities that COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective and have been independently tested to the highest standards. The videos explain how the vaccine is given, and give clear evidence that the vaccines work and are safe. It is hoped that the videos will be shared among friends, families, faith and community groups via WhatsApp, text message and on social media. You can view the script in English below, and download the videos via the links below. Arabic, Bengali, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Spanish, Swahili, Turkish, Urdu, Yoruba
• Translated: Public Health England vaccine infographics - Public Health England have produced the following social media infographics around the following vaccine related topics. Resources are shown below in “galleries” by topic, you can download the individual language sets here.
• Lockdown, schools and vaccine update in Arabic - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing, you can access a letter sent to Arabic speakers by North Yorkshire County Council on 28th January 2020. Click here to access.
• NHS access cards - In partnership with a number of organisations the NHS Improvement Team are distributing ‘access cards’, both physical and digital. These cards support the message that everyone is entitled to register with a GP.On the back of the card is the NHS England and NHS Improvement Customer Contact Centre number, for people to use if they have been refused registration. VCSE organisations can get physical copies of the access card from their local Healthwatch, to share with the communities they work with, or download a digital copy of the access card from the FutureNHS platform. 
• Sleep booklet - The Children’s Society have worked with a group of young refugees to produce a booklet aimed at helping with sleep problems. It’s written by and aimed at young people but the principles are appropriate for anyone who struggles with sleeping.

[added 01.02]

• Translated: Text scams - info for young people - Big Leaf Foundation have put together a new short leaflet about scam text messages and how to spot them, based on guidance from the government's National Cyber Security Centre. Available in: English, Amharic, Arabic, Farsi, Fulfulde, Hausa, Kurdish Kurmanji, Kurdish Sorani, Oromo, Pashto, Tigrinya, Vietnamese
• Translated: Videos challenging myths and misinformation for young people - Big Leaf Foundation have created a short film about the dangers of fake news stories. This film aims to help everyone identify and avoid spreading fake news. It is available in: English, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Farsi, Hausa, Kurdish Kurmanji, Kurdish Sorani, Tigrinya, Vietnamese
• Translated: NHS Vaccine information videos - Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust have produced short videos on information relating to the Vaccine. Available in: Arabic, Bengali, Czech, Gujarati, Punjabi, Urdu
• Vaccination: First phase priority groups - Migration Yorkshire have shared a postr from PHE which explains the priority groups fro the first phase of the vaccination rollout. Click here to access.
• Translated: Funeral guidance -  The UK Government have produced guidance for arranging and attending a funeral during the pandemic. It now available in: English, Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Gujarati, Polish,, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu
• Chartered Insitute of Housing-How new immigration rules affect housing and benefits - The Chartered Institute of Housing has released its January 2021 newsletter on housing rights. This newsletter has a focus on how the new immigration rules affect housing and benefits, and social landlords. to access, click here.

[added 29.01]

• Derbyshire COVID-19 vaccine patient flyer - Join Up Care Derbyshire have created flyers on information relating to the COVID vaccination including eligibility and many more. The flyer is also available in different languages including Punjabi, Hindi, Gujarati, Bengali, Arabic, Polish, Romanian and Spanish. To access, click here.

[added 27.01]

• Free school meal vouchers: A guide for parents and carers - From 18th January 2021, schools can order vouchers for parents and carers to help with food over the four-week period between 18 January and 12 February. The scheme allows schools to place orders for supermarket gift cards on behalf of parents and carers whose children are eligible for free school meals. To read more, click here.
• Translated: Coronavirus (COVID-19): safer travel guidance for passengers - guidance has been produced by the UK Government covering topics on safer travel which is availble in the languages below: English, Arabic, Bengali, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Turkish, Urdu, Welsh
• Translated: Test, trace and isolation - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing, Leeds City Council have produced helpful infographics explaining the Test, Trace and Isolation and support available. Available in English, Arabic, Amharic, Bengali, Czech, Farsi, Kurdish Sorani, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Slovak, Tigrinya, Urdu
• Translated: Stay at home: guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus -  UK Government have produced guidance for households with possible or confirmed coronavirus infection. Available in: English, Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu
• Translated: Guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus - The UK government has also produced guidance for contacts of people with confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection who do not live with the person - available in English, Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Urdu.
• Myth Busting: The British Islamic Medical Association - The British Islamic Medical Association have put together a myth busting section about the COVID- 19 vaccine. To access these myths, click here.

[added 25.01]

• Doctor's of the World and COVID infographics - together these have produced accessible and visual infographics on COVID-19, which have been translated into 30 languages with more to come. These provide essential information on the virus and self-care, including what to do if you start to experience symptoms and how to book a COVID-19 test. All of these can be found by clicking here.

[added 15.01]

• Translated: Vaccination - guide for older adults - UK.gov has provided an information leaflet for eligible adults on COVID-19 vaccination. COVID-19 vaccination: guide for older adults is available in English, English large print, Albanian, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish. Extra languages will be added as they are published
• Translated: Vaccination - people of childbearing age, currently pregnant or breastfeeding -  UK.Gov has provided an information leaflet: COVID-19 vaccination: a guide for women of childbearing age, pregnant or breastfeeding. Available in English, English large print, Albanian , Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish
• Translated: What to expect after your Covid-19 vaccination -  UK.Gov has provided an information leaflet: What to expect after your COVID-19 vaccination - Information for people who have had their first COVID-19 vaccination. Available in leaflet form in English, English large print, Albanian, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish
• Translated: Vaccination - A guide for healthcare workers - UK.Gov has provided an information leaflet: What to expect after your COVID-19 vaccination - Information for frontline healthcare workers on COVID-19 vaccination. Available in: English, Albanian, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish
• Translated: Vaccination - a guide for social care staff -  UK.Gov has provided an information leaflet: Covid-19 vaccination: a guide for social care staff. Available in English, Albanian, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish
• Translated: Vaccination - why you are being asked to wait - UK.Gov has provided an information leaflet: Why you have to wait for your Covid-19 vaccine. Available in English, Albanian, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Tagalog, Turkish. 
• Translated: Self isolation period changed to 10 days - The team at Covid1 9 Infographics have produced infographics in English, Arabic, French, German, Hindi, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, Tamil, Traditional Chinese, Turkish.
• Translated: Lock down messages for young people - Big Leaf Foundation has written a simple lockdown statement and translated this guidance into the various languages spoken by our young people in - Amharic, Arabic, English, Fulfulde, Hausa, Kurdish Kurmanci, Oromo, Kurdish Sorani, Pashto, Tigrinya, Vietnamese
• Translated: How to take Vitamin D safely - The UK Gov have provided guidance on how to take Vitamin D safely. Migration Yorkshire have translated this and can be accessed by clicking the language - It is available in English, Arabic, Bulgarian, Bengali, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Nepali, Punjabi , Polish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Urdu.
• Translated: Parenting tip sheets - Parenting for Lifelong Health (PLH) working alongside multiple international organisations have produced “open-source and evidence-based parenting tips and resources are available in more than 100 languages. To access, click here.
• Translated: Mandatory Covid-19 testing introduced at borders - UK Gov have provided guidance on new requirements when entering UK - this has been translated - English, Arabic, Spanish, Thai. Click on the language to access.
• Translated: Videos -What does Isolation mean and what do I have to do? - Migration Yorkshire have shared videos explaining isolation in the following languages - Arabic, Albanian, Amharic, Farsi, Hungarian, Kurdish Sorani, Mandarin, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Urdu, Gujaraticri, Punjabi and English. Click on the language to access.

[added 07.01]

• Stay at Home: Lockdown guidance poster - Migration Yorkshire have published a poster about the new lockdown measures. Click here to access.
• Translated: testing for homecare workers - A translated series of posters explaining how home care workers can access a test, what happens during the test, how regularly they should be tested and what happens after the test. Click the languge to access the poster - English, Chinese, Hindi, Polish, Punjabi, Punjabi (Pakistan), Romanian, Slovak, Urdu

[added 05.01]

• Translated: English Lockdown: Stay at Home Guidance - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire, a simple translated messages has been put together to explain the key lockdown rules in English, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Bosnian, Farsi, French, Hindi, Italian, Kurdish Sorani, Lithuanian, Mandarin, Polish, Romanian, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya and Urdu. Click here to access. 
• Critical workers and vulnerable children who can access schools or educational settings - This guidance has been updated to include information about the return to school and college in January, and includes the addition of those whose work is critical to EU Transition to the list of critical workers. Click here to access.
• School attendance during COVID-19 - what parents and carers need to know about early years providers, schools and colleges can be accessed here.
• Vaccine guidance for people who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning to be pregnant - Public Health England has provided vaccine guidance for people who are breastfeeding, pregnant, or planning to be pregnant. It has not yet been assessed in pregnancy, so it has been advised that until more information is available, those who are pregnant should not have this vaccine. To view more information, click here.
• Translated: Who should have the flu vaccination this winter and why? - This information explains to patients how they can help protect themselves and their children against flu this coming winter. It includes information for children, eligible adults and pregnant women, and explains why it’s very important that people at increased risk from flu or who care for someone vulnerable to have their free vaccination every year. To reduce the chances of those vulnerable to COVID-19 from getting flu, the flu vaccine will be offered to shielded people and those in their households during the winter 2020 to 2021 season. Including translated versions in Arabic , Bengali , Braille , British Sign Language (BSL) , Cantonese , French , German , Gujarati , Hindi , Italian , Kurdish , Polish , Punjabi ,  Romani , Romanian , Somali , Tagalog , Tamil , Traditional Chinese, Turkish , Urdu , Yiddish.
• National lockdown: Stay at Home - Coronavirus cases have been rising rapidly across the country which lead to an announcement of another national lockdown. Find out what you can and cannot do by reading the government guidance here.
• Closing certain businesses and venues in England -This page explains the rules about business closures in England following the new national lockdown announcement. Click here to read more.

[added 18.12]

• COVID-19 Immigration helpline - Home Office have set up a Coronavirus Immigration Helpline for queries and requests related to coronavirus and immigration. Contact the CIH free of charge on 0800 678 1767 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm) or Email: CIH@homeoffice.gov.uk. Advice for visa customers and applicants in the UK, visa customers outside of the UK and British nationals overseas who need to apply for a passport affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus.
• Seeking help for domestic abuse - A variety of translated guidance exists for people experiencing, or worried about domestic abuse during coronavirus. Migration Yorkshire has produced simple information on how to access domestic abuse services for people who feel unsafe in their home during covid-19. Information is available in Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bosnian, English, Farsi, French, Hungarian, Italian, Kurdish Sorani, Lithuanian, Mandarin, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Tigrinya - with more languages to come. To access, click here.
• Translated: how the NHS COVID-19 app works - NHS has created resources in different languages explaining how the NHS COVID-19 app works. Click the links below to view translated information: Arabic website, Bengali website, Chinese website, Gujarati website, Polish website, Punjabi website, Romanian website, Somali website, Turkish website, Urdu website and Welsh website. There is also video explainers in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Gujarati, Punjabi, Romanian, Turkish, Urdu and Welsh.
• Access to the NHS for EU nationals - EU nationals will not be expected to show their digital status, to prove their ordinary evidence, needed to access NHS until June 2021, unless they want to. Until then, they can continue to use their passports and ID cards, as well as other evidence of their residence in the UK. For more information, click here and here.
• How to apply for Universal Credit in different languages- Migration Yorkshire have published guidance on how to apply for Universal Credit in different langugages include Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Farsi, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Slovak, Tigrinya, Turkish, Urdu, French and Kurdish. To access, click here.
• Supporting vulnerable children and young people during COVID-19 - Guidance for children’s social care services Regarding unaccompanied asylum seeking children, government guidance states that receiving LA’s remain responsible for ensuring newly arrived unaccompanied children are placed in suitable accommodation in isolation from other people, in line with guidance on how to self-isolate when you travel to the UK. If a child is symptomatic of Covid-19, they will need to be supported to self-isolate in line with guidance for households with possible Covid-19 infection.
• Modern slavery — translated guidance - Thanks to colleagues at Kirklees Council for sharing their translated guidance on Modern Slavery which can be accessed here.

[added 17.12]

• Find out what tier your area is within - The UK Government has published a list of locations and tier restrictions.To find out which tier your area is within, click here.
• Local outbreak advice - Sets out the local restriction tier system that will be in place from Wednesday 2 December, including what you can and cannot do in each tier. For information, click here.
• AIRE: coronavirus service update - AIRE contract provider Migrant Help have published a service update outlining some key service changes in light of coronavirus. The service is still running despite some changes in operation and asylum seekers requiring support and advice are advised to make use of the Asylum Helpline which is open 24 hours a day. to access, click here.
• Collaborative coronavirus asylum handbook - A handbook has been launched by Refugee Action containing frontline organisations’ approaches to adapting their services in response to the coronavirus. Everyone can contribute.  To access, click here.
• Translated LGBTQI+ How to Apply for Asylum Guides - UK Lesbian and Gay Immigration Group (UKGLIG) have produced 'How to Apply for Asylum' guides in 9 languages. The guide explains the process and possible types of evidence for asylum claims based on being LGBTQI+. Click here to access the guides and here to access the videos in Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, English, Farsi, French, Mandarin, Urdu and Pashto.
• Helpline launched for refugees and people seeking asylum - The Refugee Council’s National Infoline launched on 1st October to provide signposting support to refugees and people seeking asylum who cannot access local services and information due to the Covid-19 pandemic and closure of, and change in, face to face services. The service is open to individuals, professionals and community members, and will run until 31 March 2021. To read more, click here.
• Young people's translated guide to the 3 tier system in place from December 2nd 2020 -  Big Leaf Foundation have translated the 3 tier guidance for young people in the following languages ARABIC, ENGLISH, KURMANJI, SORANI, TIGRINYA, & VIETNAMESE.

[added 02.12]

• Hardship Fund now open - The Hardship Fund was created by the British Red Cross with their partner Aviva to help those most financially impacted by the coronavirus outbreak. Voluntary and statutory organisations can register to refer destitute people and/or people facing economic hardship. For more information on the fund and how it operates please here.
• COVID-19 Infographics 2nd December 3 Tier System translated infographics - Available in English, Arabic, French, German, Italian, Lithuanian, Korean, Polish, Portuguese, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Traditional Chinese, Turkish from Covid-19 Infographics or by clicking here.
• Government translations of three tier guidance in effect from 2nd December 2020 - A detailed outline covering the following topics is available in English Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, Gujarati, Hindi, Welsh, Polish, Punjabi, Slovak, Somali and Urdu. Topics include why the government is introducing tiers, what the tiers mean, all of the teams and exemptions from gathering limirs in all tiers. Click on each langauge to access.
• Translated young people's infographics - Migration Yorkshire developed young people’s infographics to support young people to understand the virus, the rules, and to stay well and support each other. Available in PDF and JPEG forms. Please contact us if you would like us to share the files with you. Albanian, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese Mandarin, Czech, English, French, Italian, Japanese, Kurdish Sorani, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Tigrinya
• COVID-19 Infographics have started a newsletter - updating on their work biweekly. To sign up, click here.

[added 24.11]

• New guide to help refugees open a bank account - Refugee Council has created a banking guide to help make opening a bank account easier for refugees. The guide explains how bank accounts work in the UK, the documents that banks require applicants to provide, how to make an application for a new account and tips for avoiding financial scams. The guide is available in English, Arabic, Farsi, Kurdish and Pashto.
• Referral: Modern Slavery - First responders must now use the digital referral system to refer potential victims of modern slavery to the National Referral Mechanism. Guidance provided 16th November 2020
• Just Good Work: A free multi-lingual mobile app to equip vulnerable UK jobseekers and workers - Just Good Work have partnered with have partnered with the Association of Labour Providers and allianceHR programmes to create the Just Good Work app, a tool to help prevent modern slavery. It is now available in the UK as a free download for all workers, employers, labour providers and others. It’s available in Kiswahili, Romanian, Gujarati, English and Bulgaria.

[added 20.11]

• Official Lockdown information for England, translated by UK Gov - The UK government have produced translations of the social distancing / lockdown rules covering 5th November to 2nd December in the following languages: Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, English, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi (PK), Romanian, Somali, Turkish, Urdu, Welsh. As well as New November Guidance - Social Distancing 6th Nov Web Accessible.pdf and Social Distancing Guide - Easy Read. 
• Lockdown rules in Romanian and Romanes - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing, Luton Roma Trust has just produced two videos, explaining the new lockdown rules in Romanian and Romanes languages. Click here to access.
• England November 2020 restrictions translated by Covid-19infographics - From the 5th November until the 2nd December, new national restrictions have been put in place in England.⁣⁣ ⁣⁣Unsure of what the latest restrictions involve? Check out our graphic summarising the key restrictions.⁣⁣ Translations available in English, French, German, Hindi, Korean, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Simplified Chinese⁣, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Vietnamese, and Arabic. Click here to access or here for their generic website.
• Avoid coronavirus scams: What you need to know - The COVID-19 outbreak has prompted a number of online schemes. Find out about coronavirus scams and how to avoid them, including fake treatments, scam emails from the Home Office, masks and much more. Click here to access.
• Arabic Translated Guidance - covering topic on Covid Guide for Parents (Sheet 1 can be accessed here and Sheet 2 can be accessed here). The guidance also covers the National Lockdown Guidance .

[added 10.11]

• Job centre guidance on new national Covid restrictions - Jobcentres will remain open, as they have throughout this pandemic, to provide essential services and support to those whom we cannot help in any other way and customers will continue to be supported by Work Coaches online and over the phone, with jobcentres remaining open to help those who need extra support and are unable to interact with us on the phone or digitally. To read more, click here.

[added 06.11]

• Updated Chartered Institute of Housing COVID guidance - including rough sleeping will be a reason for refusing leave to remain (see first item on the What’s New page), new guidance for landlords and on evictions has been published (details are on the coronavirus page) as well as information on the announcement on Nov 6 for local authorities to accommodate people who are rough sleeping. To access these, click here.

[added 04.11]

• Helpline for young people and families from Black and Asian communities affected by Covid-19 - Barnardo’s have launched a multilingual helpline for black and asian children, young people and families affected by the pandemic, or who are worried about covid, concerned about school, have lost a loved one or need someone to talk to. You can call for free at 0800 1512 605 or use webchat.
• Mental Health wellbeing support translated - this resource includes how to access help if you're struggling with your mental health in many languages including Polish, Portuguese, Chinese (Simplfied), Gujarati, Arabic ,Tamil, Italian and Spanish.

[added 29.10]

• Translated COVID-19 Infographics on fines if dont self-isolate - COVID-19 Infographcis have produced material on  fines up to £10,000 if you fail to self isolate. These are available in English ,French,Italian, Polish, Korean,Romanian,Punjabi, Swahili, Simplified Chinese,Turkish,Spanish and Vietnamese. Click here to access.

[added 27.10]

• PHE Translated Guidance - available in many languages, PHE have published guidance on Symptoms, The NHS COVID app, Hands Face Space Campaign as well as NHS Test and Trace. To access the resources, click on the headings above.
• Funding to help charitable organisations that support people hardest hit by COVID-19 - The CAF Resilience Fund exists to help charitable organisations in England that support the people hardest hit by Covid-19.  This fund will initially distribute £20 million made up of grants ranging from £10,000 to £100,000 to deliver rapid relief from the impact of Covid-19. The amount of grant awarded to a charitable organisation will be based on the reasons behind the request for help and the organisation’s annual income before the pandemic hit. Charities applying must be based in the UK and deliver their services in England, and must be able to spend the grant money before 31 March 2021. To read more, click here.
• Translated resources explaining it is now a legal requirement to self isolate after a positive test - Migration Yorkshire have shared translated resources explaining it is now required by law to self-isolate if you test positive for COVID-19 or are contacted by NHS Test and Trace.⁣ Translations available in: English, French, Italian, Korean, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish Swahili, Turkish and Vietnamese and can be accessed here.
• Report on mental well-being in Punjabi communities during COVID-19 and lockdown - Taraki, an organisation that works with Punjabi communities to reshape approaches to mental health, have released a report on mental well-being during COVID-19 and lockdown in Punjabi communities. ⁣To access the full report, click here.

[added 23.10]

• Translated infographics on school safety measures and keeping children safe in school - Covid-19 Infographics have produced infographics with information on how to keep children safe when returning to school and measures that schools may take. Available in Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Chinese (Traditional) Chinese (simplified) Czech, Dari, Dutch, English, French, German, Gujarati, Hebrew, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Kurdish Sorani, Lithuanian, Malayalam, Pashto, Persian, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Sinhalese, Slovak, Somali, Spanish, Swahili, Swedish, Sylheti, Tamil, Turkish, Urdu, Vietnamese, Yoruba. Search for the language you need on the Covid-19 Infographics page.

[added 21.10]

• Translated MP4s, social images and posters - The UK government have produced new materials on the following topics in Arabic, Chinese, Gujarati, Bengali, Indian-Punjabi, Pakistani-Punjabi, Polish, Slovak, Somali, Hindi, and Urdu. These materials include symptoms, the NHS COVID-19 app, Hands. Face. Space campaign as well as the NHS test and Trace.
• Palm Beach Institute COVID resource - which contains a guide to understanding addiction relapse during COVID-19 and tips for remaining sober. to access and read more, click here.

[added 20.10]

• New Kurdish Language page - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for putting together which now includes a collection of resources in Kurdish Sorani which is now live on the Migrant Info Hub. To access, click here.

[added 14.10]

• Up to date government isolation and testing guidance in Arabic - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire, up to date guidance on isolation and testing guidance in Arabic has been published. Click here to access.

[added 09.10]

• Equal Access Campaign FAQs regarding COVID 19 and refugee and asylum-seeking students - STAR have updated their FAQs for refugee and asylum-seeking students in relation to COVID-19. To access, click here.
  

[added 05.10]

• New infographic from Leeds City Council 'Can my child go to school today?' - which can be found here. 
• Translated: who should have the flu vaccination this winter and why - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing the translated guidance on who should have the flu vaccinaton this winter and why. The guidance is available in Arabic , Bengali , Braille , British Sign Language (BSL) , Cantonese , French , German , Gujarati , Hindi , Italian , Kurdish , Polish , Punjabi ,  Romani , Romanian , Somali , Tagalog , Tamil , Traditional Chinese, Turkish , Urdu , Yiddish and more information can be found here.

[added 30.09]

• Chartered Institute of Housing updated COVID-19 guidance - on the section on Evictions (England and Wales) to cover recent changes/provisions including the start of evictions proceedings on Sept 21. Click here to read more and access.
• Nottingham City Council online resources - including a Stay safe and stop the spread of Coronavirus resource in 12 languages as well as a hub for accessing other COVID related information too. Click here to access.
• Eye Test mythbuster translated into many languages - Thanks to COVID-19 infographics, there are now a mythbusting resource available which busts myths about wearing glasses, eye tests etc. They are available in English, Arabic, Polish, Turkish, Simplified Chinese, Swahili, Vietnamese, Hindi,Tamil and French. Click here to access these resources.

[added 25.09]

• New Gov Rules (in date 22.09.2020) translated into Arabic - thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing this translation. Click here to access.

[added 23.09]

• What is COVID-19 (coronavirus) and how can I stay safe? A guide for separated migrant children - Migration Yorkshire have put together guides on what is covid and how to stay safe for seperated migrant children. This is available in 19 languages - Albanian , Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Kurdish Sorani Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish, Tigrinya. 

[added 18.09]

• COVID-19: reducing transmission – what you can do to help - Public Health Englang have produced guidance on how you can help reduce the transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19). Click here to access the guidance.
• Translated resources for parents/carers of children at nursery, school, and college -  The UK Government has provided information for parents and carers of children at registered childcare providers (including nurseries and childminders), primary and secondary schools (including independent schools, maintained schools, academy trusts, free schools and special schools) and colleges (for the purposes of this guidance ‘colleges’ means publicly funded sixth form and further education colleges, independent training providers and special post-16 institutions). These are available in 14 languages. English, Arabic, Bengali, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romany, Somali, Turkish, Urdu, Chinese - traditional and Chinese - simplified.
• How to do a coronavirus test at home: video in various languages - Thanks Wakefield Council for sharing the videos on how to do a coronavirus test at home: video in Urdu, Panjabi, British Sign Language, Polish and English. Click here to access.
• Guidance on reporting issues with wages, employment and working conditions - FLEX has partnered with the Greater London Authority (GLA) to produce an information video about where workers can report on underpayment of minimum wage, problems with employment agencies and unsafe, abusive or exploitative working conditions, including modern slavery offences. The video is available in 11 languages, including English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Polish, Hungarian, Romanian, Romanes, Hindi, Bahasa Indonesia and Tagalog. 
• Translated resources: Guidance for parents of EAL students - The Bell Foundation has created a short, easy to understand guide for parents of students who use English as an Additional Language. The leaflet is available in the 17 most commonly used first languages in UK schools and is designed to help parents to get involved in school life and to help their child to learn. It is not a covid specific resource, but may have tips that are useful to support parents/carers with children in changing school environments. Click here to find out more.
• A translated guide about covid-19 for separated children and young people - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire there is guidance available on 'What is covid 19 and how can I stay safe? A guide for separated children and young people'. This is available in Albanian , Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Czech, English, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Lithuanian, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish. Click here to access.

[added 17.09]

• COVID-19 infographics on the rule of six - available  in Arabic, English, French, Gujarati, Hindi, Italian, Lithuanian, Portuguese, Romanian, Chinese, Spanish, Swahili, Tamil, Turkish, and Vietnamese. Click here to access this resource.
• Resources for Substance Abuse Treatment During Coronavirus (COVID-19) - The Recovery Village^® has resources to help anyone struggling with substance use, increased anxiety and depression or other mental health disorders cope with the unprecedented challenges that have emerged from the COVID-19 virus (also known as novel coronavirus). The resources include areas such as telehealth services, free online recovery meetings, places to find help and much more. Click here to access this resource
  
• Refugee Action Good Practice advice for guidance for refugee and asylum organisations - including wellbeing, destitution payments, digital exclusion and many more. Click here to access.

[added 16.09]

• Advice for people who are struggling to pay essential bills because of coronavirus - The Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy have published advice for those in difficulty with energy, water or telecommunications bills, or repayment commitments on credit cards, loans and mortgages, as a result of COVID-19. Click here to read more.
• Updated guidance for universities ahead of reopening - The Government has updated guidance to help universities reopen buildings and campuses this September while keeping students and staff safe. Click here to access the guidance. 

[added 04.09]

• New COVID-19 Infographics on the reopening of schools - in English, Italian ,Portuguese, Polish, Tamil, Arabic, Kurdish (sorani),Urdu and Chinese (Simplified). Click here to access.
• Doctors of the World Wellbeing Guidance - Titled “Six ways to improve your wellbeing”, the guidance is available in 27 languages: English, Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, Dari, Farsi, Filipino, French, Hindi, Kurdish, Malayalam, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi India, Punjabi Pakistan, Romanian, Simplified Chinese, Somali, Spanish, Tigrinya, Traditional Chinese, Turkish, Urdu and Vietnamese. To access click here.

[added 02.09]

• A rewiew on reducing loneliness amongst migrant and ethnic minority people - a research team at the University of Sheffield has review on lonleiness amongst migrant and ethnic minority people and how this canbe reduced. Click here to access.

[added 27.08]

• COVID-19 Infographics put together audio clips discussing general COVID-19 information - such as guidance on reducing the spread of coronavirus and what symptoms to look out for.⁣ Available in: English, Arabic, Punjabi, Polish, Urdu, and Gujarati. Keep an eye out - there'll be more languages to come. Click here to access.
• Coronavirus: Guidance for Better Mental Health by Rehab4Addiction - This resource covers ares on how mental health may be affected, things to remember as well as how to take care of your mental health, plus lots more. Click this link here to access this resource.
• Guidance available on going to a court or tribunal during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak - This guide has been created for those who have been asked to attend a hearing in person at a court or tribunal during the coronavirus outbreak. Click here to access.
• Second wave of grant through the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme now available - guidance has been released if you're self-employed or a member of a partnership and have been adversely affected by coronavirus (COVID-19) use this scheme if you're eligible to claim the grant. Click here to access.
• Updated guidance on when children should wear face coverings - The World Health Organisation has published updated guidance on when children should wear face coverings. As a result, the government is revising discretionary guidance on when children and staff should wear face coverings in schools, meaning some schools will be able to require face coverings in certain settings. For more information see the WHO guidance on face masks for children, and the government update on face coverings for children in school.

[added 14.08]

• NEW Direct Help and Advice (DHA) Line set up by The Derby Law Centre - They have been working and listening to the community and partners and to ensure support through the Covid-19 Pandemic. There is no eligibility criteria we can help anyone! The number of the line is 01332 287865 and support on offer includes housing, debt and money matters, help getting back into work, CV and Training skills support and mental health support. Please click here to access the flyer which can be I have attached a flyer, please can you circulate to all your contacts so we can reach out to all whom need help and support.

[added 11.08]

• Information and advice to help you spot the signs of abuse for Children during COVID-19 - The NSPCC has published information and advice to help you spot the signs of abuse and what to do if you're worried about a child during the Covid-19 pandemic. Click here to access their website for advice and guidance.

[added 07.08]

• Translated covid phrasebook for workers to share, edit and use - Migration Yorkshire has produced a “covid phrasebook” resource, offering line by line editable translations, covering various areas of life under covid. This first version, which compliments our recent test and trace translations, is available initially 12 languages, with more to follow, and covers national guidance, health and hygiene, returning to school, support bubbles, shielding, face coverings, travel, life events and work. Click here to access the guidance. 
• Translated videos on dealing with problems and exploitation at work -  FLEX has partnered with the Greater London Authority (GLA) to produce an information video about where workers can report on underpayment of minimum wage, problems with employment agencies and unsafe, abusive or exploitative working conditions, including modern slavery offences. As well as where they can seek support with understanding their employment rights in the UK, reporting issues at work if they don’t speak English and accessing immigration and employment advice via free, independent and confidential organisations.  The video is available in 11 languages, including English, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish, Polish, Hungarian, Romanian, Romanes, Hindi, Bahasa Indonesia and Tagalog.
• Guidance for managing a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic translated into - Added translations in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese (CN), Chinese (HK), French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi and Urdu. Click here to access.
• Updated COVID infographics guidance on self isolating if you have symptoms of COVID - translated in English, Arabic, French, Italian, Tamil, Portuguese, simplified Chinese, Gujarati, Spanish, Polish, Lithuanian, Romanian, Hindi and Swahili. The twitter thread where you can acces these can be found here, or the COVID infographics page can be found here.
• Guidance on supporting children & young people's mental health & wellbeing during the COVID outbreak translated - Advice for parents and carers on looking after the mental health and wellbeing of children or young people during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak translated into Arabic, Bengali, Chinese CN, Chinese HK, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, and Urdu. Click here to access.
• Guidance for everyone on looking after our mental health & wellbeing during the COVID outbreak translated - Advice and information on how to look after your mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak translated into Arabic, Bengali, Chinese CN, Chinese HK, French, Gujarati, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, and Urdu. Click here to access the guidance. 

[added 31.07]

• Leicester Lockdown Local lockdown restrictions in translated infographics -  Leicester were inforced into lockdown but are now slowly exiting it. Here they summarise the latest guidance on Leicester lockdown restrictions, the areas affected, and places to go for COVID-19 testing.⁣ Translated into: English, Arabic, Lithuanian, Somali and Tamil. Click here to access the resource.

[added 30.07]

• Guidance for organisations supporting asylum-seeking and refugee women - This guidance has been designed for frontline refugee sector organisations continuing to support asylum-seeking and refugee women during C19. It has been produced in response to a need articulated across the sector for direction in adapting services in a way that mitigates gendered harm. Click here to access this guidance. 

[added 29.07]

• Advice for Re-Opening Mosques and Madrasas - This guidance has been producced by the Muslim Council of Britian and includes nine steps of guidance and advice. This guidance is also available in English, Arabic, Gujarati, Somali, Yoruba, Tamil, Turkish and Bangla.
• Places of Worship - Translated Guidance from Gov.Uk - The UK Government have translated guidelines for places of worship Arabic, Bengali, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, French. Polish, Portuguese. Punjabi. Romanian, Somali and Urdu.
• Translated Face Covering Guidance - Thanks to Suffolk County Council produced these translated of guidance documents around face coverings, which can be found in English, Arabic, French, Kurdish Sorani, Lithuanian, Pashto, Polish, Portuguese, Romanian, Russian, Spanish and Tigrinya.

[added 28.07]

• Description of NHS services in multiple languages - At the bottom of this page there are fact sheets which have been written to explain the role of UK health services, the National Health Service (NHS), to newly-arrived individuals seeking asylum. They cover issues such as the role of GPs, their function as gatekeepers to the health services, how to register and how to access emergency services. Click here to access.

[added 23.07]

• Chartered Institute of Housing guidance on Evictions after August 23rd - under the section on Evictions (England & Wales), it is explained that landlords will now be able to start eviction proceedings after August 23. There will be new rules about evictions that will take effect on that date, described in the letter which can be accessed here. to read the guidance from CIH, click here.
• COVID-19 infographics on shielding support to end 1st August - translated infographics in Engish, Urdu, Spanish, Arabic, Gujarati, Polish, Swahili, Sorani Kurdish, Tamil, Romanian, French, Lithuanian, Italian and Somali has been released on advice on ways to access support when these deliveries end. Click here to access these resources.
• Shareable Test and Trace translated information in 18 languages alongside English - Migration Yorkshire has translated Test and Trace information in the following languages. These include Albanian, Arabic, Amharic, Bengali, Czech, Chinese, Farsi, German, Italian, Japanese, Kurdish Sorani, Lithuanian, Polish, Portugese, Romanian, Russia, Spanish and Tigrinya. Click here to access this resource.

[added 15.07]

• Government guidance update in different languages for households with possible coronavirus infection - including guidance on support bubbles, local lockdowns guidance link to guidance for households with grandparents, parents and children living together where someone is at increased risk or has possible or confirmed coronavirus infection and guidance for multi-generational households where someone is at increased risk or has possible coronavirus. Click here to access the upadted guidance.
• Updated guidance on shielding and protecting people defined on medical grounds as extremely vulnerable - now available in 11 languages. Click here to access.
• COVID Infographics on face coverings - click here to access all of their COVID infographics which can be accessed in 40 different languages.
• Updated guidance on COVID-19 and immigration removal centres - on 14th July, further updates on visits to immigration removal centres during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic were added. Click here to review.
• Guidance updated on Coronavirus for travellers exempt from border rules in the UK -  which now includes exemptions for Scotland and information around exemptions for people travelling to the UK from some countries and territories.Click here to access the updated guidance.

[added 13.07]

• COVID-19 infographics available online in multiple languages - website now includes translated material on face coverings, as well as information on places of worship reopening in 40 langauges including Arabic, Bengali, Pashto, Polish, Punjabi, Urdu and many more. Click here to access the website.
• Translators Without Borders glossary of COVID terms - developed in 33 languages to address language barriers involving COVID-19 which may be useful for key workers and community translators. Click here to access.
• Test and Trace Videos in 14 languages - Peterborough City Council have created videos on the test and trace service in multiple languages, including English, Arabic, Chinese Mandarin,  Czech, Hindi, Latvian, Lithuanian, Polish, Punjabi, Romanian, Russian, Swahili, Tetum and Urdu.
• Quarantine rules for travel, explained in Arabic - thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing, translated material on the new quarantine rules for travels are available to be accessed here.
• Translated material in Arabic in one place - Migration Yorkshire have put together a translated material page which collates all the materials into one place. The first page in Arabic. Click here to access.

[added 10.07]

• COVID-19 infographics in many languages on the changes from the 4th July - A Twitter resource has shared these infographics to be used widely in English, Arabic, French, Gujarati, Italian, Lithuanian, Polish, Romanian, Somali, Spanish, Tamil and Portugese. Click here to access these resources.

[added 07.07]

• Coronavirus Covid-19 information and support by The Children's Society - including support for mental and emotional wellbeing with resources on areas such as anxiety, depression and many more. Click here to access. 
• Domestic abuse: get help during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak (translations) - Guidance for people without English as a first language about how to get help if you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse in languages including: Arabic, Bengali, Farsi, French, Gujarati, Italian, Mandarin, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Hindi, Punjabi, Somali, Tamil and Urdu. Click here to access.

[added 03.07]

• Migrant Information Serivce by IOM UK - IOM UK has designed a Covid-19 Migrant Information Service to provide extra support to migrants in the challenging context of the Covid-19 crisis. The info service includes: a multilingual website, a telephone service to provide information to migrants living in the UK on 5 key topics: health, work, benefits, visas and immigration, housing and homelessness. The website also provides a comprehensive overview of the various governmental and non-governmental support schemes that are available to migrants. Finally, it provides signposted information for users to get further information and/or begin the process of accessing support. The website is currently available in many languages: English, Spanish, Portuguese, Romanian, Arabic, Chinese, Albanian and Vietnamese, with Polish to be added soon. The telephone service provides information to callers in any language, and is available on Freephone. Click here to access the website and further information on this.
• Arabic guidance on change of rules from 4th July -  Thanks to Migration Yorkshire, there are now available guidance in Arabic on the change of lockdown rules as of the 4th July. Click here to access.
• Arabic translation new guidance for people shielding due to being extremely vulnerable -  Thanks to Migration Yorkshire, there are now available guidance in Arabic for people (and their carers) who are ‘shielding’ due to being clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 because of serious underlying health conditions. Click here to access the guidance.
• Arabic translation of guidance around face covering on public transport and in hospitals, and rules on entering the UK - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire, there are now available guidance in Arabic on face coverings on public transport and in hospitals as well as entering the UK. Click here to access the guidance.

[added 26.06]

• Crimestoppers have published guidance on Modern Slavery and concerns about the recent lift on lockdown restrictions - As lockdown restrictions are lifted, the number of people being exploited, trapped and tricked into modern slavery is expected to rise. The guidance includes the effect of Covid-19, lockdown, and its easing, what you can do and what to do if you are a victim. Click here to access the guidance. 

[added 25.06] 

• Modern slavery and covid-19: What to look out for and how to get help – translated in to 11 languages - Kirklees Council have put togeter a resource on Modern Slabery and COVID-19, what to look out for and how to get help. It is accessible in English, Arabic, Amharic, Kurdish, Farsi, Albanian, Hungarian, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Urdu and Mandarin. These can be accessed here.

[added 24.06] 

• IOM's Multi-lingual guidance on COVID-19 - which is available in 27 languages outlines what is coronavirus, what are the symptoms and how to keep yourself safe. Click here to access this guidance.

[added 22.06] 

• 02 Online NSPCC resource for parent and child on online safety - This online safety resource includes information on online safety including tools and tips and can be accessed here. Available in nine different languages which include Arabic, Bengali, English, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Somali, Urdu and Welsh.
• Accessing support for domestic abuse during covid: simple advice translated - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire, simple information on how to access domestic abuse services for people who feel unsafe in their home during covid-19 has been published. This information is available in Albanian, Amharic, Arabic, Bosnian, Croatian, English, Farsi, French, Hungarian Italian, Kurdish Sorani, Lithuanian, Mandarin, Polish, Romanian, Spanish, Tigrinya - with more languages to come. Click here to access.

[added 19.06] 

• COVID-19 Scam and Fraud Information translated into 41 languages - K International have put together documents containing information the latest scams/ fraud in relation to COVID-19. The languages include Arabic, Kurdish Sorani, Pashto, Urdu and lots more. Click here to access.

[added 17.06] 

• Bubble rules for single adult households, shops, dentist and hairdresser updates: translated into Arabic - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire for sharing this resource which can be found here.

[added 12.06] 

• Modern Slavery and Human Trafficking during COVID-19 (rapid read) - NHS document outlining ways the pandemic may increase risk of modern slavery and exploitation and how to access support. Please see the document here.
• The Children’s Society resource on spotting signs of abuse and neglect during Covid-19 lockdown - This blog highlights signs of abuse, neglect, identifying the vulnerable but also how to report any signs as well as posters and leaflets on this matter. Click here for more information.

[added 10.06] 

• Updated lockdown rules translated into Arabic - Thanks to Migration Yorkshire, updated lockdown rules have been translated into Arabic and shared widely. Please click here to access.

[added 08.06] 

• Coronavirus (COVID-19): how to self-isolate when you travel to the UK - Border health measures guidance has been released which including who must self-isolate, why it is important, support and more. Click here to access the guidance.

[added 01.06] 

• Research on forced migration, sexual and gender-based violence and COVID-19 - conducted by the University of Birmingham, which was initiated in response to conversations with Refugee Women Connect and anecdotal information suggesting that forced migrant survivors’ suffering increased in the COVID-19 crisis. Click here to read the executive summary, or here for the full report.

[added 28.05] 

• Zoom guides for refugees and migrant communities in the UK - and those working with them who are using Zoom to do remote support work and education during the Coronavirus pandemic, but they are free to be used and shared by anyone. Click here to access.
  

[added 26.05] 

• Bereavement scheme for non-EEA family members of NHS and health and social care workers - The government have published guidance for non-EEA family members of any NHS worker, including support staff, or a healthcare or social care worker who has died as a result of coronavirus and has confirmed that they will receive immediate indefinite leave to remain, free of charge. Click here to read the full guidance document.

[added 22.05] 

• British Red Cross Emergency Contact cards - In order to prevent people losing contact with loved ones during COVID 19, British Red Cross have produced some tips for staying connected and an Emergency Contact Card where people can write the name of the person they would wish to be contacted should they become seriously ill. This may be next of kin, a family member or friend. The Emergency Contact Card is to be completed in English so that emergency services can easily contact the person’s designated person. The accompanying language guides explain this and tips for people not confident in speaking/writing English. The prevention messages and Emergency Contact Cards can be downloaded at redcross.org.uk/trace, or people can make their own with paper and pen at home.  Currently, there are 11 languages available, with a further 11 in progress. 
• COVID-19 infographics in multiple lanuages - these resources include infographics on an overview of COVID, self care, spread and prevention as well as myth busting. These can be accessed here.

[added 20.05] 

• Finding temporary accommodation during COVID-19 - In response to COVID-19, NHS England, NHS Improvement and Crown Commercial Service, supported by Calder Conferences and Corporate Travel Management Limited (CTM), have developed a process for NHS staff, key workers and other impacted communities to access secure accommodation at hotels and other accommodation venues. Click here for further information.

[added 19.05] 

• Equal Access Campaign FAQs regarding COVID-19 and refugee and asylum seeking students - STAR have put together a resource of information in relation the impact of COVID-19 on refugee and aslyum seeking students. Click here to access.

[added 15.05]

• DWP's Benefits information available via WhatsApp - People can now access the most up-to-date benefits and support information via their smart phones, using WhatsApp. The service, which can be accessed by sending ‘Hi’ in a WhatsApp message to 07860 064 422, has been launched to help combat the spread of incorrect information and to make the correct information easily accessible.

[added 14.05]

• Migrant Help's Coronavirus Support resource online - this includes information and acitivites in specific regions, translated material, information for children learning and lots more. Click here to access.

[added 13.05]

• Childnet International's Supporting Young People Online (Leaflets) - These can be accessed in 13 different languages and include areas such as tips for both primary school children and teens and areas such as content, conduct and more. Click here to access. 

[added 12.05]

• Government have released further guidance for frontline workers working in different locations - carrying out supplementary work. The list of frontline workers affected has been expanded to include more occupations. Click here for more information.

[added 11.05]

• Meaningful and creative activities to do at home whatever your age by Foundation Stones - Leicester Arts and Museums are the East Midlands hub for The Big Ideas Company, and New Walk Museum is the hub for collecting 'foundation stones'. This is a national project in which people can use a stone from their garden or park and paint it with whatever they feel - images or text - to remember those killed in the holocaust and in more recent genocides including Rwanda and Myanmar. The activity is appropriate for adults as well as children. If people would like their painted stones to be included in the new national memorial planned for later this year, they can keep them for now and then bring them to New Walk Museum when we reopen to be collected by the Big Ideas Company. All the information is on the Foundation Stones flyer, which can be downloaded here. Other resources from the Big Ideas Company are research based and ideal for home-educating children - football and other themes, See the 'No barriers at Home' resource, which can be downloaded here .
• Translated guidance from DfE on Free School Meals FAQ - in Arabic can be downloaded here . 

[added 07.05]

• Written translations to accompany the main advice and diagrams released by the NHS and WHO - compiled by the Big Leaf Foundation including: what we should do to reduce the risk of catching or spreading the virus, how to recognise symptoms; and what to do if we think we might have it, or if we have been in contact with someone who has tested positive.Click here to access these guidance.
• International Driving Licence scam - There are reports of a Driving License scam circulating In other parts of the UK, refugees have fallen foul of this scam and lost a lot of money. What is known is that people have applied for an “International Driving Licence” from America. These cost £480 each and applications are made online with a follow up call from someone based in America asking a couple of questions. Once these have been answered, the person is asked to transfer money in return for an “International Driving License”. This is a scam. You can download advice, which has been drafted by NI SMP, in both English and Arabic .

[added 06.05]

• Coronavirus outbreak FAQs: what you can and can't do - including information on when you can leave your home, being a critical worker, information on what will happen if these rules are broken and many more. Click here to access the full guidance.
• Star Amal Team newsletter have produced a newsletter for refugees - to keep them up to date with new information as well as entertained during the lockdown. This can be downloaded here.

[added 05.05]

• Jobskilla On-line Courses for those who are unemployed and in receipt of a job-seeking benefit - course include Customer Service, Workskills with COSHH, CSCS test and card and many more. Click here to download further information on the course and how to get in touch.

[added 04.05]

• Update on advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - information has been added on what to do if your 30 day visa to travel to the UK for work, study or to join family has expired or is about to expire as well as further guidance for frontline health workers on working in different locations, carrying out supplementary work. The list of frontline workers affected has been expanded to include more occupations. Click here to access the guidance.
• Coronavirus (COVID-19): getting tested - now includes social care workers as well as personal care assistants. Click here for further information.
• Modern Slavery Unit guidance for frontline non-first responders - The Home Office Modern Slavery Unit have developed a flyer to be distributed to frontline staff who are not first responders, with information on what to do if they encounter a potential victim of modern slavery. Click here to download the flyer.
• Citizen's Advice guidance on How to apply for Universal Credit - in 14 languages includng Arabic, Bengali, Bulgarian, French, Farsi, Kurdish, Polish, Portuguese, Punjabi, Romanian, Slovak, Tigrinya, Turkish, Urdu. Click here to download.

[added 28.04]

• Housing advice from Shelter - Shelter have provided housing advice during coronavirus, including evictions, rent payment problems, domestic abuse, homelessness and many more. Click here to access.

[added 27.04]

• WHO guidance around Safe Ramadan practices - in the context of the COVID-19 including advice on physical distancing, advice to high-risk groups as well as information on wellbeing. Click here to access in English, or here in Arabic.
• Guidance on getting support if you're a migrant living in the UK - which explains the support you can get if you do not have permission to live permanently in the UK, including if you need medical treatment, if you are studying or working, if you can't afford housing costs or if you are an asylum seeker. Click here to access the guidance. 
• Supporting Migrants with No Recourse to Public Funds - Migration Scotland have produced a new framework to assist local authorities and their partners to support people with NRPF during the COVID-19 pandemic. It sets out the legal basis and other considerations for providing support during the response phase of the pandemic, with a specific focus on people with NRPF who are roofless/rough sleeping, or vulnerable from a safeguarding perspective. To access click here. This is Scotland specific however if you have any queries, please contact Brein.Fisher@emcouncils.gov.uk.  
• Overview guidance document on Ramadan during COVID-19 - which has been put together by a local authority in the East Midlands to inform about Ramadan and also give tips on how to make it easier during COVID-19 outbreak. Click here to download.

[added 24.04]

• Guidance on religious practices - in Syrian and English, as well as other areas including hygiene and burials. Click here to download.
• Online Virtual Iftar - This year Open Iftar are bringing their experience to celebrate during lockdown. Individuals can sign-up for a #MyOpenIftar pack, share their experiences and continue to keep the Ramadan spirit alive. Click here to find out more. 

[added 23.04]

• Guidance on working with migrants and refugees during the COVID-19 crisis by CIH - Chartered Institue of Housing have put together a fact sheet that is intended to help those working with people with different kinds of immigration status, whether they are tenants or come to you for advice. It is based on the information provided by the housing rights website. Click here to access the factsheet or click here for information on how does the outbreak affect migrants' access to housing and benefits.

[added 22.04]

• Guidance on Ramadan - DfE have put together a document setting out what Ramadan is, it’s purpose to Muslims & how it is observed, the impact of restrictions this year & also how support is being in different places. They have also put together a lengthier & more detailed summary of the issues & practices in the context of COVID 19. 
• Further guidance on Ramadan - The Muslim Council of Britian have put together both a factsheet and guidance on the effects of COVID19 (#RAMADANATHOME). Click here to read more and access. 

[added 20.04]

• New guidance published for Tier 4 sponsors, migrants and short-term students - This guidance sets out temporary policy concessions for Tier 4 sponsors, Tier 4 students and short-term study students in response to the outbreak of coronavirus. Click here to access this resource.
• Advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents (Tier 2) - This guidance was recently updated to include an added link to Tier 2 worker guidance to explain that some NHS workers and their families will get their visas automatically extended because of coronavirus. Click here for the latest update.

[added 16.04]

• Video resources in different languages on essential advice on Coronavirus - including essential advice, hand washing as well as spotting the sign in many different languages. Click here to access all of the videos. 

[added 14.04]

• Maths Mastery/ English Mastery resources - have designed a selection of resources to use at home, to make sure individuals have opportunities to talk and learn with someone every day. Below are resources and guidance that can be used to provide daily sessions for learners from Reception to Year 9. Click here to access. 

[added 09.04]

• Coronavirus and domestic abuse guidance- for those who are experiencing or feel at risk of domestic abuse during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Click here to access.

[added 07.04]

• Advice for UK visa applicants and temporary UK residents - for all visa customers and applicants in the UK, visa customers outside of the UK and British nationals overseas who need to apply for a passport affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus. There is now a link to a form for visa holders to update their information with the Coronavirus Immigration Team. Click here to access.

[added 06.04]

• Coronavirus Asylum Handbook - The Refugee Action Good Practice and Partnerships Teamave developed the incredibly useful handbook on frontline organisations’ approaches and strategies (both immediate and longer term) to deliver support in the current context. A great resource for sharing good practice and finding out how others are tackling the barriers. To access this handbook, click here.
• Translated guides to Zoom - have been created by Jewish Council for Racial Equality and West London Welcome which now include English, Arabic, French, Polish, Somali, Tigrinya and Kurdish. Click here to access.

[added 01.04]

• Translated letter for at-risk patients - NHS have now uploaded translated versions of the letter to 'at risk patients' which is available in 11 different langauges and can be accessed here.
• Stay at Home Guidance (Self isolation/ Social Distancing)- PHE produced this guidance in different languages [can be found below], but Public Health Wales have some additional formats to make the information more accessible to people who need audio-described or information in additional languages to English, using the Recite Me plug-in. Click here to access.
• How to protect extremely vulnerable people (Shielding) - Public Health Wales have also added these additional formats to the guidance on how to protect extremely vulnerable people, which can be found here.

[added 27.03]

• Local Government Association & Resources for Local Authorities - The LGA is liaising with Public Health England (PHE), the Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government (MHCLG) regarding the evolving situation with the outbreak of the coronavirus. On these pages, you will be able to find the latest official information, as well as guidance and resources from the LGA and our key partners covering areas such as councillor resources, adult social care and support and much more. It can be found here.

[added 26.03]

• Getting support as an extremely vulnerable person. As the link details, asylum seekers can register themselves or others can register on their behalf, which includes local authority colleagues and those within the NGO / VCS sectors as well as AASC providers. To start the registration process, click here.
• COVID-19: guidance on residential care provision which sets out key messages to support planning and preparation in the event of an outbreak or widespread transmission of COVID-19, aimed at local authorities, clinical commissioning groups (CCGs) and registered providers of accommodation for people who need personal or nursing care including registered residential care and nursing homes for people with learning disabilities, mental health and/or other disabilities. For more information, click here.
• Guidance on isolation for residential educational settings to support the management of children and young people living in children’s homes, residential special schools and colleges, other further education (FE) providers with residential accommodation, mainstream boarding schools and university halls of residence. This can be accessed here.

[added 25.03]

• Stay at home guidance for households with possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection is available here, which includes information of the symptons, social distancing and self-isolation. It is available in different languages including; Arabic, French, Mandarin, Cantonese, Polish, Urdu, Welsh and more. 
• Guidance on social distancing for everyone in the UK and protecting older people and vulnerable adults in English, Arabic, Bengali, French, Gujarati, Polish, Punjabi, Simplified Chinese- Mandarin, Traditional Chinese- Cantonese, Urdu and Welsh is available here.
• Guidance on immigration provisions made by the Home Office for individuals affected by travel restrictions associated with coronavirus (COVID-19) can be accessed here.
• Foreign travel advice can be found here.
• Foreign embassies in the UK can be accessed here. 
• Guidance for first responders can be accessed here, and identifys first responders as professionals and members of voluntary organisations who, as part of their normal roles, provide immediate assistance to a symptomatic person until further medical assistance arrives.
• Guidance for employers, employees and businesses in providing advice about the novel coronavirus, COVID-19 can be found here. 
• Residential care, supported living and home care guidance - information can be found here.
• Guidance for hostel or day centres for people rough sleeping can be accesed here.
• Guidance for local government including; the announcments of £2.9 billion funding, framework for local authorities to support the planning and organisation of the outbreak as well as further guidance. This can be accessed here.
• Covid-19 Mutual Aid UK: Guide for Supporting Migrants During Coronavirus can be sourced here. 
• Student Action for Refugees (STAR) have put together a document containing how to support refugees and asylum seekers at this time. It can be accessed here.

Regional Activity:

[added 30.09] 

• Nottingham City Council online resources - including a Stay safe and stop the spread of Coronavirus resource in 12 languages as well as a hub for accessing other COVID related information too. Click here to access.

[added 05.06] 

• Derby City's virtual activity for Refugee Week UPDATE: Refugee Week is from 15-21 June 2020 and is still going ahead in Derby. Please see this leaflet here about the digital events that are hapenning in Derby.

[added 05.06] 

• Derby City's virtual activity for Refugee Week - Refugee Week is from 15-21 June 2020 and is still going ahead in Derby. Please see this leaflet here about the digital events that are hapenning in Derby.

[added 28.05] 

• Derby City - The Derby Refugee and Asylum Seeker Coordination (RASC) Meeting have updated the current status of organisations due to COVID-19. Click here to access.

[added 15.05] 

• Nottingham City - Nottingham-based charity Refugee Roots are responding to the impact of Covid 19 on refugees and asylum seekers in Nottingham. They are providing the following support services in response to Covid 19 including: phone support (information, advice and guidance), telephone Befriending (weekly support), telephone English Lessons (one to one), virtual English Lessons (Groups), food drops (in partnership with local foodbanks), social groups and Art at home. For more information, or to be involved, click here.

Events/Training:

[added 01.03]

• ECPAT UK Vietnam Child Trafficking Training - This two hour training session is for frontline practitioners who may be working with Vietnamese migrants. In the session we will cover - An introduction to the issue of trafficking and exploitation, trafficking of Vietnamese migrants to the UK,  new resources and how to access them as well as the implications for professional practice. To book or find out more, click here.
• East Midland Councils Barnados Barnardo's Child Trafficking and NRM Training - This 2 hour briefing session will give an overview of what Child Trafficking is, how to spot some of the signs and indicators and what to do next as well as cover the details of the National Referral Mechanism. To find out more, click here.
• East Midlands Councils IOM Cultural Adjustment Training - This session will cover components normally covered in the second half of the full day in-person sessions. The session will discuss the resettlement process, IOM pre-departure services, and cultural adjustment and integration of refugees after they arrive. To find out more, click here.

[added 20.11]

• Modern Slavery & Child Trafficking Summit - Spread across the two dates, this virtual summit will give attendees the opportunity to explore the causes and impact of Modern Slavery globally, nationally and within the East Midlands. The event will help identify the impact on victims and communities, as well as show what more can be done in support of partners in the statutory, voluntary and business sector in making the East Midlands a hostile environment for the perpetrators of this crime whilst supporting potential victims. To book on or find out more, click here.
• IOM Eritrean Culutral Orientation Session - on the 25th November, IOM are hosting a FREE virtual oreintation session on Eritrea. For information can be found here.
• ECPAT UK FREE webinar for practitioners: Child victims of trafficking and immigration in the UK - on 25^th November at 2pm which looks at various other avenues in the immigration system beyond asylum which could be used to secure stable futures for child victims of trafficking; and we explain why it is important for practitioners working with children and young people to be an active part of this process. To find out more, or to book, click here.

[added 16.10]

• Supporting the multilingual child during Covid-19 - On Friday 13th November at 6pm by ESRC IAA - University of Birmingham led by Professor Zhu Hua. The event is free. To find out more, or to book, click here.

[added 14.10]

• Migrant & Refugee Children's Legal Unit Seminar training sessions - 'Breaking the Chains' legal seminars centred around representing child and young asylum seekers on Albanian Country Policy and Information Note (CPIN). To register or for more information about the Breaking the Chains project, click here. 

[added 30.09]

• Resettled Refugee Families Mental Health Support - Yorkshire and Humber Conference - 21st October 2020 – 10.15am–12.45pm.  Hosted by Migration Yorkshire, SOLACE and Refugee Council, learn about the impact of our Children and Families Wellbeing Project. Join the Skills Share sessions hosted by family therapists where practitioners share their challenges and successes and give you an understanding of why and how we work with families who are new to the UK through the UNHCR resettlement programmes. The event is free. Places are limited, so early booking is encouraged. Sign up here.

[added 25.09]

• East Midlands Strategic Migration Partnership training offer updated - to include training from IOM on Democratic Republic of Congo and Aghanistan. Click here to read more and to book. 

[added 18.09]

• The North West Population Health and Prevention Network Webinar's - which include Gambling and Covid 19 - a game changer, Social prescribing – innovative responses to Covid 19, Health literacy – engaging citizens for good, Loneliness - a conscious cognitive feeling of estrangement and Stop the rot- mouthcare matters . To access more details on this course and to book, click here.
• Modern Slavery & Harmful Practices Virtual Training - by Bal Kaur Howard. These training sessions include topics such as Honour Based Abuse, Forced Marriage, FGM, Breast Ironing / Flattening & Spirit Possession as well as Modern Slavery / Trafficking (Children & Adults). Click here to find out more on these courses and information on how to book.

[added 16.09]

• Civil/crime news: launch of ‘help us say yes’ online training - Legal Aid Agency are hosting a series of online ‘webinar’ training events are starting in October which are designed to ‘help us say yes’ first time when providers submit work. The first two webinar events will be on civil topics and will look at means and merits tests: civil means – 7 October, 10-11am and civil merits – 14 October, 10am-11am. Other events are being planned to take us through the autumn and winter, including a number for crime providers. Click here to read more or to book.

[added 14.08]

• ECPAT UK's Spiritual Abuse and Child Trafficking training, few places remaining - next Tuesday morning (18th Aug 9.30-1pm), places are still available to book. This online, half-day course is based on our experience of working with victims of child trafficking. You'll examine the particular relationship between spiritual abuse and child trafficking and gain an understanding of the interlinkages betwee