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Step 4: Protecting ourselves and learning to live with coronavirus

Last updated: Monday 26 July 2021

Most legal restrictions to control COVID-19 have been lifted at step 4.

Everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious at Step 4

England has moved to step 4 

While cases are high and rising, everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious. This is why the following key protections will be kept in place. These protections are:

  • testing when you have symptoms and targeted asymptomatic testing in education, high risk workplaces and to help people manage their personal risk
  • isolating when positive or when contacted by NHS Test and Trace
  • border quarantine: for all arriving from red list countries and for those people not fully vaccinated arriving from amber list countries
  • cautious guidance for individuals, businesses and the vulnerable whilst prevalence is high including:
    • whilst Government is no longer instructing people to work from home if they can, Government would expect and recommend a gradual return over the summer
    • Government expects and recommends that people wear face coverings in crowded areas such as public transport;
    • being outside or letting fresh air in
    • minimising the number, proximity and duration of social contacts.
  • encouraging and supporting businesses and large events to use the NHS Covid Pass in high risk settings. The Government will work with organisations where people are likely to be in close proximity to others outside their household to encourage the use of this. If sufficient measures are not taken to limit infection, the Government will consider mandating certification in certain venues at a later date.

Coronavirus vaccines give you the best protection against COVID-19.  

Let's act carefully and help protect yourself and others

Protecting lives and livelihoods across the United Kingdom remains the Government's priority as the UK eases restrictions.  The COVID-19 Response: Summer 2021 sets out the essential actions that everybody should take to protect themselves and others while prevalence is high, as we transition to learning to live with COVID-19. 

We can all help reduce risks by practising key behaviours.  COVID-19 has not gone away, so it's important to remember the actions you can take to keep yourself and others safe. Everybody needs to continue to act carefully and remain cautious.  

If you are worried about going back to a more 'normal' life, there is information from the NHS on how to cope with anxiety about lockdown lifting.

Advice for people identified as clinically extremely vulnerable

Shielding is currently paused, but clinically extremely vulnerable people are advised to continue to take extra precautions to protect themselves and follow practical steps to minimise risk of exposure to the virus.  

More information

If you are feeling unwell check if you or your child has coronavirus symptoms, get a test and do not leave home for at least 10 days. Contact Bury Community hubs if you need help with essential shopping and medicine supplies during your self-isolation.

Follow this advice from the NHS Test and Trace Service if you are told that you've been in contact with a person who has coronavirus and see NHS advice about self-isolation and treating coronavirus symptoms.

Keep informed via trusted sources

for local trusted information:

For national trusted information: 

Reported cases and current statistics

Local management of outbreaks

Our Outbreak Control Plan sets out ways in which Bury Council, the local NHS and other partner organisations aim to manage local outbreaks.   

Local outbreaks are identified and managed through continuous monitoring of the available data.