A coronavirus is a type of virus. As a group, coronaviruses are common across the world. Typical symptoms of coronavirus include fever and a cough that may progress to severe pneumonia causing shortness of breath and breathing difficulties.
Generally, coronavirus can cause more severe symptoms in people with weakened immune systems, older people, and those with long-term conditions like diabetes, cancer and chronic lung disease.

Novel coronavirus (COVID-19) is a new strain of coronavirus first identified in Wuhan City, China. The NHS website has more information about how coronavirus is spread and answers common questions about the virus.

The NHS lists the main symptoms of coronavirus as:

• a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
• a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
• a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

If you have any of the main symptoms of coronavirus:

1. Stay at home (self-isolate) – do not leave your home or have visitors. Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, must also self-isolate.
2. Get a test – get a test to check if you have coronavirus as soon as possible. Anyone you live with, and anyone in your support bubble, should also get a test if they have symptoms. More information is available on the NHS UK website.

The Government has produced a Coronavirus FAQ outlining what you can and can't do as a result of coronavirus restrictions and readers are encouraged to stay up to date with public health and legal restrictions as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

Common sense is key in a situation like this and there are things you can do to help stop germs like coronavirus spreading:

• Always carry tissues with you and use them to catch your cough or sneeze. Then bin the tissue, and wash your hands, or use a sanitiser gel
• Wash your hands more often than usual, for 20 seconds each time with soap and water or hand sanitiser, especially when you:

• • get home or into work
  • blow your nose, sneeze or cough
  • eat or handle food

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• Avoid close contact with people who are unwell

The following sites will give you further information:

Coronavirus (COVID-19): latest information and advice

NHS advice on reducing risk

What to do if you’re asked to self-isolate

• Anyone with a fever or persistent cough should stay at home for seven days if they live alone or 14 days if they live with others. Anyone who lives with someone who displays symptoms should also stay at home for 14 days
• People who isolate themselves should ask others for help
• All non-essential contact with others should be ceased. This is particularly important for people over 70, those with underlying health conditions, and pregnant women
• Working from home should be done where possible

We are working to keep our advice page updated with current information about the COVID-19 pandemic but it is important that readers keep up to date with current government and public health advice.

Government advice remains that wherever possible, you should stay at home.

NHS England has published guidance on what measures to take if you display potential Coronavirus symptoms and have to self-isolate at home.

Details can be found here: NHS Stay at Home Advice

The government have also produced a document for those who will be self-isolating at home which can be found here: COVID-19: Stay at Home Guidance

Neighbourhood Watch has produced comprehensive guidance on protecting the isolated and vulnerable. Please click here

Informal volunteering (like shopping, calling in on vulnerable members of society) is an important part of community resilience however safety and ensuring that we are protecting all members of our communities is important. Consider the following:

1. Are any already established organisations co-ordinating a voluntary effort? Can you offer to support them rather than doing things on your own?
2. Check with your local or district council to see if there is information on how you can help/support your local area
3. Do check on friends, family, and neighbours that you already know – observe the NHS guidelines and follow all relevant public health advice
4. Think about how to safeguard the vulnerable people in your communities. Be mindful of data protection rules, including GDPR, and how you use the data you may collect. All initiatives, no matter how well-intentioned, can be open to abuse
5. Protect Yourself. Ensure that you are not putting yourself or others at risk

As the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic unfolds, it is important that individuals look after their mental health and anxiety as well as those around them, especially those who find themselves in isolation. Isolation brings with it challenges to maintaining good mental and physical health and several organisations have produced guidance to assist in managing your wellbeing during this time.

Useful Resources for Mental Health and Wellbeing:

• UK charity Mind, have produce advice on Coronavirus and your wellbeing with mechanisms to help you cope with stressful or difficult situations brought on by isolation: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/coronavirus-and-your-wellbeing/
• The NHS has also produced a number of resources to help individuals look after their mental health which can be found here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
• Samaritans are continuing with their phone support service to make sure fewer people die by suicide. Their website can be found here: https://www.samaritans.org/
• The Mental Health Foundation has also produced an online resource pack for looking after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak which can be found here: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-coronavirus-outbreak
• Anxiety UK continues to provide support for those affected by anxiety disorders. Their website can be found here: https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/
• The World Health Organisation has compiled a list of mental health and psychosocial considerations during the COVID-19 outbreak which can be found here: https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_8 as well as further information about COVID-19 which can be found here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Current government guidance prohibits meetings between more than 2 households indoors and 6 households outdoors. Mass gatherings are strictly prohibited by law unless in specific circumstances in line with announced alterations to guidelines from the 4th July.

As of recent announcements regarding the re-opening of certain premises and businesses in England, village halls and community centres are now permitted to re-open as long as they follow 'COVID Secure' guidelines.

The government has published 'Guidance for the Safe Use of Multi-Purpose Community Facilities' which outlines the safety and public health procedures which are to be followed in line with re-opening community facilities. At this moment in time, no indoor sports are to take place within community centres and, as community centres are often also places of employment, management committees should be aware of their responsibilities as employers.

Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) have produced an information sheet with guidance on how Village Halls and Community buildings can re-open in line with government guidance, including example risk assessments for hirers/hirees. This document can be downloaded from ACRE's dedicated Coronavirus advice page alongside the accompanying appendices.

Management committees are urged to consider the objects of their charities, the liabilities of trustees, and their duty of care to their users whilst examining re-opening guidance alongside public health and government guidance on indoor gatherings.

The Community Transport Association has produced a document called Coronavirus/COVID-19: Guidance for Community Transport for Community Transport Groups to use. This document includes useful information such as:

• precautions you should take
• cleaning your vehicle
• cancelling services.

Please click here to view.

Guidance has been published for churches and places of worship as they look to re-open following recent announcements that certain businesses and premises may open as of the 4th July.

The Government has published guidance for churches and places of worship with recommendations for how worship can be resumed safely from the 4th July. Government guidance currently states that 'from 4 July, gatherings of more than 30 people will be permitted but only in certain public places as set out in law. This will include places of worship and their surrounding premises. There are however activities where it is advisable to restrict numbers to 30 within a place of worship for public health reasons.'

• NHS England has a webpage dedicated to Coronavirus (COVID-19) outlining symptoms, guidance for when to self-isolate, and how to source medical help should you need it - NHS England Coronavirus
• Public Health England has produced a range of sample posters and it would be wise to use one of these as the basis for putting on the front door a poster asking people who have possible Coronavirus symptoms not to come into the hall. Resources can be found here: PHE Resources. 
• Nottinghamshire County Council are maintaining an advice page on their website with information about coronavirus for county residents which can be found here: Notts County Council Coronavirus
• The UK Government’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for health professionals and other organisations can be found here: Collection: Coronavirus (COVID-19): guidance for health professionals and other organisations
• The World Health Organisation is maintaining an information page about the coronavirus pandemic which can be found here: https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019
• Action with Communities in Rural England (ACRE) is maintaining a page for rural residents, businesses, and community groups which can be found here: ACRE - Coronavirus