From 24 February all remaining COVID-19 restrictions are removed by the Government.
The key changes include:
- Staff and students in school no longer have to carry out weekly Covid testing from 21 February
- People who test positive for COVID-19 will no longer be legally required to self-isolate from 24 February, but are encouraged to still do so while positive
- Fully vaccinated close contacts and those under 18 will no longer need to test daily from 24 February
- Close contacts who are not fully vaccinated will no longer need to self-isolate from 24 February
- Isolation payment for people on low income will end as the restrictions are lifted
- Free universal rapid testing will end in England on 1 April
The removal of self-isolation laws increases the personal responsibility of people to be careful and considerate and avoid spreading the virus to others, particularly if they have symptoms of COVID-19. This means continuing to take sensible precautions to limit the spread of infection, including keeping communal spaces well ventilated, considering wearing a face covering in crowded indoor places, and staying at home if you have a respiratory illness.
Staffordshire County Council’s targeted community testing programme will continue until 31 March. Following this, it anticipates national testing provision will remain available for staff and residents in healthcare and care home settings, and its local support activities will be aligned to complex or high risk outbreaks and potential new variants.
A full version of the Government’s ‘Living with COVID-19’ strategy can be found at: www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-response-living-with-covid-19
It is still really important that eligible people get their COVID-19 vaccine as soon as possible. Anybody aged over 12 years old is eligible for a Covid vaccine, and people aged 16 and over can get a booster vaccine if three months have passed since their second dose. Children aged 5 to 11 who are at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from COVID-19 can now also receive a vaccine. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) has announced that an additional booster shot is recommended for people over 75 years old and the most vulnerable over 12s this spring.
More information on the COVID-19 vaccine and booster, including local availability, can be found at www.nhs.uk/coronavirusvaccine.
Cannock Chase Council
The Council has responded to the pandemic as the situation required at the time. It is now firmly in a recovery phase and is committed to serving its residents and businesses to the best of its abilities. It continues to be ambitious in wanting to improve the District and the lives of people who live in Cannock Chase.
This section also provides information on COVID-19 and Council services. It includes information on topics such as business grants that remain relevant to some of our businesses. On its social media accounts the Council will continue to promote information about COVID-19 vaccinations, testing for COVID-19 while it continues, and other public health messaging while case rates in the District remain high in common with other areas.
Select the below tabs to access Cannock Chase Council services, which includes how to contact us and help and advice on specific services.
For details on COVID-19 Business Grants follow this link for more information.










Each working day the Council deals with a large number of calls and enquiries coming in online from residents and businesses. We sincerely thank you for your patience and understanding if we sometimes can't respond as quickly as you may like us to.
You can read about our news on this website (Follow this link for the Latest News). You can also follow us on Twitter @cannockchasedc, Facebook (Search `Cannock Chase Life`) and TikTok (see `Cannock Chase Life`) to see our updates.
Council Meetings are once again being held 'in person'. Members of the public are entitled to attend meetings as registered speakers or to view proceedings. However, owing to social distancing requirements, numbers are limited and only those who have booked in advance will be able to attend. Please email membersservices@cannockchasedc.gov.uk to do so. Any members of the public who register to attend a Council meeting are encouraged to take a lateral flow test prior to attending. Furthermore, attendees are required to wear a face covering whilst in the Civic Centre unless exempt from doing so.
With the Council having a particular responsibility to support vulnerable people, there may be a range of other requests for help around COVID-19 (not NHS related) including how to access other council services not managed by Cannock Chase Council. Staff will help to signpost to the right organisations that can offer assistance in these cases.
Key information below includes relevant links to guidance and advice about COVID-19 from the NHS:
Symptoms, medical help, and other advice
The NHS has information online covering the symptoms and other advice which can be found at https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
Vaccinations
To book a vaccination and check on eligibility please go to https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-vaccination/book-coronavirus-vaccination/