Covid-19 Updates
Our Covid-19 Updates:
We are regularly updating Registrants on our work advocating for the essential role of psychotherapy during Covid-19, on government’s Covid information and on available grants to support psychotherapy services, as well as on relevant Parliamentary business and joint work with other organisations.
The UK is easing lockdown restrictions as infections decrease and the vaccination programme continues to progress, with over 12 ml people fully vaccinated so far. Covid-19 lateral flow tests are currently being offered free of charge in England and Scotland to asymptomatic people in a further effort to control the spread of the virus. In Wales people who cannot work from home and are asymptomatic can also get tested twice weekly. The current guidance asking to work from home whenever possible remains in place, however from 17 May in England any indoor meeting will be lawful if within the “rule of six” and if in a Covid-secure environment. This guidance will remain in place until at least step 4 of the roadmap (currently pencilled in for 21 June in England), when a wider review on social distancing will be published.
Until then, if seeing patients in the same room, Covid-19 guidance to keep the consulting room safe remains unchanged.
England
From 12 April many businesses and venues can reopen. The full government guidance is available here.
*Free rapid lateral flow tests are now available to everyone without symptoms*.
Scotland
From 5 April, restrictions were lifted further.
*You can get tested at a community testing site if you do not have coronavirus symptoms.*
Wales
From 12 April travel between Wales and England resumed. Non-essential shops can open and all students will return to school.
Northern Ireland
The next review takes place on 13 May.
More information about COVID restrictions in Scotland, NI and Wales can be accessed below:
Northern Ireland Coronavirus Measures
Vaccinations
Covid-19 vaccinations have been available for front line health and social care staff since January. The BPC communicated to registrants about opportunities to receive the vaccine in February.
