Guidance and Advice

Here you can find everything you need to know about self-isolation, prevention, testing, vaccinations and support available to keep you safe and well. It is also a community resource with links to local hubs, food and essentials, pharmacy information, mental health, benefits and money and much more.

The information on the council website is specific to services we are providing as part of our response to the pandemic.

Outbreak Management

As part of the UK’s response to the pandemic, we are required to produce and implement a Local Outbreak Control Plan. The plan details how we and our partners will prevent and respond to further outbreaks and incidents of COVID-19 on the Isle of Wight.

Statement and Guidance to ensure safe care home visiting

We are in regular contact with care settings and are issuing frequent updates as well as guidance on managing health and safety in care homes. View the latest care home visiting updates.

NHS Test and Trace

The NHS Test and Trace service will play an important role in identifying and containing any future outbreaks of COVID-19. It will save lives, help us to protect the Island and our local healthcare system. If you have any symptoms you must self-isolate, get tested and help us trace your contacts.

Why tracing is important

Contact tracing is a proven method of disease prevention and control. Public health experts use this method. Contact tracing aims to identify people ('contacts') who may have become infected through contact with an infectious person. It also provides support to them.

• The tracing process prevents further transmission of a disease. It separates people who have (or may have) an infectious disease, from people who do not, through self-isolation.
• It is really important when taking a coronavirus test that you complete the registration forms as fully as possible. Please ‘check in’ wherever you see the NHS QR code. If you receive a positive test, this will enable our local Test and Trace team to get in touch with your contacts as quickly as possible. They will then get appropriate health advice.
• Download the NHS COVID-19 app – the quickest way to tell if you are at risk of infection and alert your contacts.

When will I be contacted?

• If you have tested positive for coronavirus, you will be contacted by NHS Test and Trace. You may also be notified by the NHS COVID-19 app. There is guidance about this online.
• If NHS Test and Trace are unable to reach you, the Local Tracing Service will try to get in touch. Text alerts will be issued telling you to expect a call, followed by a phone call from 01983 823999. You will be asked about your movements in the days prior to the start of symptoms or a positive test. You will also be asked for relevant information about your close contacts which will then be shared with NHS Test and Trace.
• The local call handlers will also be able to offer advice on local support that is available to self-isolate if required, as well as picking up on any welfare and wellbeing concerns.
• The local test and trace call centre will be open weekdays from 11.30am to 7.30pm and on weekends and bank holidays from 10am until 3pm.
• The local team will also be able to signpost you to advice and support for Isle of Wight residents, if needed.

You may also be notified by the NHS COVID-19 app. There is guidance about the NHS COVID-19 app online.

Who manages the test service on the Isle of Wight?

Working closely with Hampshire and Isle of Wight Local Resilience Forum partners, is responsible for arranging the testing locations in the area. The provision and availability of testing is led by the Department of Health and Social Care.

A local test and trace partnership has been set up between the Isle of Wight and Hampshire. The partnership supports the tracing of contacts locally to prevent further spread of the virus on the Island.

Guidance for accommodation providers  - if a guest displays symptoms of COVID-19

If a guest is displaying signs of the COVID-19 virus while staying in overnight accommodation for a permitted reason, they should inform the accommodation provider, immediately self-isolate where they are to minimise any risk of transmission, and request a test. If they are confirmed to have COVID-19, they should return home if they reasonably can. If a guest cannot reasonably return home (for example because they are not well enough to travel or do not have the means to arrange transport), their circumstances should be discussed with an appropriate health care professional and, if necessary, the local authority. Guests should follow Government guidance on dealing with possible or confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) infection.

COVID-19 Privacy Notice

We are committed to keeping your personal information safe and processing it in accordance with our obligations under the General Data Protection Regulation.  Please view our Privacy notice for COVID-19 response activity.