London Coronavirus lockdown Megathread – Week 1 by /u/ianjm

Our weekly megathread on moving to or visiting London has been suspended.

YOU MUST STAY IN YOUR HOME

You may only go out for the following reasons:

• Shopping for basic necessities
• One form of exercise per day (alone or with your household)
• Any medical needs
• Travel to and from work, but only if necessary

The police have the power to arrest you, find you, and return you to your home if you do not follow the rules. They will disperse gatherings of more than two people (excluding those from your household).

If you have any respiratory symptoms or a fever, or live with someone who has, SELF ISOLATE for 14 days. DO NOT go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. If you ignore this advice you put other people at risk.

You do not need to contact NHS 111 to tell them you’re staying at home. Consult the NHS online advice service or Phone 111 if you feel you cannot cope, or your symptoms are not improving. NOTE that the NHS will not test people who are self-isolating with mild symptoms.

Here is a handy symptoms checker that helps differentiate COVID-19 from flus and colds.

What’s the latest official information?

GOV.UK guidance ● NHS.UK questions ● WHO updates

Why this matters

• Kurzgesagt explains Coronavirus
• An excellent, in-depth PSA on CORVID-19 from /u/ilikelegoandcrackers
• Why social distancing is important and what we can do from /r/CoronavirusUK
• Flattening of the curve
• Why You Must Act Now

Reminder: Do not spread panic, false information, overly editorialised stories or home remedies.

London-specific FAQ

Has Coronavirus reached London?

There are now nearly 1000 confirmed cases in London and tens of deaths. We cannot know how widely the coronavirus will ultimately spread but it will get worse before it gets better. Fortunately the vast majority of cases are quite mild and do not need hospital treatment. For those who do become very ill, the NHS in London is preparing to deal with any and all eventualities.

What’s closed or cancelled?

All non-essential shops, pubs, restaurants, places of worship, libraries, gyms, theatres, leisure centres, nightclubs, cinemas are closed. All tourist attractions are closed except public parks.

All social events are cancelled until at least June. These include the London Mayoral election, all professional football matches, Euro 2020 (postponed until 2021), The London Marathon (postponed until October), the St Patrick’s Day parade, London Pride Parade, and The Boat Race.

What about work?

You must work from home if you can. Check out the remote working survival kit!

Key workers can continue to travel to work.

If you cannot work at all, check your employment contract, and your employment rights as if you are a full time employee, you should continue to be paid. The situation is unfortunately less optimistic if you are an hourly shift worker or gig economy worker, however:

• Check the government’s advice on Employment and Financial Support
• If you are sick or self-isolating, NHS 111 can now provide virtual sick notes for your employer
• Check the rules on statutory sick pay. The government announced this will soon be payable from the first day of sickness to help tackle the virus.

Are you a business owner? Check out the government’s advice for business and this thread from /u/lodge28

What about schools?

All schools, colleges, nurseries including private institutions will close on Friday 18th March for an indefinite period, except to look after the children of key workers and children considered vulnerable. Exams are cancelled.

Should I cancel my visit to London?

Yes. Check your travel insurance, it may include cover for events like pandemics (though not all policies do). Contacting hotels and airlines may be very difficult at the moment, but hopefully you’ll get redress eventually, even if it takes some weeks.

Should I buy a face mask?

Face masks play a very important role in places like hospitals, but there is very little evidence of widespread benefit for members of the public (source: the NHS). There is considerable price gouging going on, don’t be suckered in. Hand washing remains the most effective deterrent.

What about the tube (and other public transport)?

Do not travel unless you absolutely have to do so. You shouldn’t be getting on public transport unless you are a key worker or making an essential trip. TfL have significantly reduced tube and bus services.

If you must travel, follow the advice: keep your distance from others, and avoid touching your face until you wash your hands.

What about food and medicine?

There is ongoing panic buying of dried pasta, loo rolls, and disinfectant products has been occurring. Plenty of other food is available and shelves are being restocked, particularly in London. Some supermarkets are limiting people to a maximum number of items. You may wish to build a 7 day supply at home in case of self isolation, by buying tinned foods, cereals or frozen items.

Apart from bed rest, the treatment for COVID-19 for most healthy adults is paracetamol and cough syrup (an expectorant, normally labelled chesty cough syrup). You can buy these now, but don’t overbuy as this deprives others. People with regular prescriptions should plan their medication to cover any potential self-isolation periods. You can repeat prescriptions online using the Echo App.

DO NOT treat COVID-19 symptoms with ibuprofen or other anti-inflamatories such as cortisone or voltarol

What to do if you’re struggling to cope

• If you’re very ill, call 111, or in an emergency, call 999.
• Running out of groceries? Major supermarkets all offer delivery services. Also check Ocado Zoom, Co-Op On Demand, and Amazon Prime Now. Deliveroo and UberEats obviously do takeaways, but in many locations also offer grocery deliveries from local supermarkets and corner shops. Note that delivery slots are filling up rapidly, so don’t leave it until the last minute
• Most food banks are still operating (with a few exceptions)
• Having financial difficulties? Discuss with your bank. Banks are offering temporary increases in credit, or mortgage payment holidays. There will be a ban on evictions for 3 months.
• The government is creating an official volunteer aid groups in communities to deliver essential food and medicines.
• Mutual Aid groups are popping up in the various boroughs see here and here. They can help with deliveries or errands.

Is there any hostility towards people of East Asian ethnicities?

London is one of the most diverse and accepting cities in the world and people are largely being calm and sensible. Nevertheless, there have been a few reports of abusive behaviour and at least one incidence of violence. The risk of coming to physical harm remains extremely low, but increased vigilance around your personal safety is advisable.

Regardless of the circumstances, targeting people because of their race is a hate crime. If you’re a victim or a witness please report this to the police. You can do this online or call the police non-emergency line on 101. Call 999 for emergencies.

Take care of your fellow Londoners and visitors.

Please note this post should be treated as informal information only and should not be construed as official advice.