The guidance outlines how the coronavirus (COVID-19) transmission risk can be minimised when support is provided so that people who need assistance can visit shops, socialise or exercise safely. Contents include: who can get support; what ‘getting support’ means; getting support while socially distancing; who should help you; what everyone should do when they provide support to you; getting support from someone in your household or support bubble or your normal carer; getting support from someone who is not in your household or support bubble, or is not your normal carer; getting support from volunteers or organisations; if you have symptoms. [Published 2 September 2020. Last updated 3 March 2022]

A general discussion examining to the legal position in relation to testing for COVID-19, especially as testing (a) starts to be more generally available; and (b) is increasingly been rolled out as mandatory in certain settings. It primarily relates to the position in England in relation to those aged 18 and above; specific advice should be sought in respect of Wales and those under 18.

This note provides an overview of the Department of Health and Social Care (non-statutory) guidance ‘Adult social care: our COVID-19 winter plan 2020 to 2021’. It discusses the key issues for local authorities, and in particular the interplay with the wellbeing principles of the Care Act 2014, including managing a potential conflict in terms of the wellbeing of both care home residents and those in the community with care and support needs as regards prevention of C-19. It also looks at the implications of the winter plan for the right to respect for family and private life, addressing the tension between the imperative to protect the health of social care users (and the social care workforce) and the need to respect the family life and private life rights of those who might be subject to protective restrictions. Finally, it explores the impact of the winter plan on deprivation of liberty safeguards, in particular in relation to testing and 14-day isolation requirements.

This webinar was chaired by Baroness Ilora Finlay and the technical host was Prof Wayne Martin. It was about sharing voices in response to COVID-19.