What should I do?

Stay at home as much as possible

Following recent briefings from governments in devolved countries, and from the UK government, guidance for people in England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland is to stay at home as much as possible. The Prime Minister said, “There is one certainty: the fewer social contacts you have, the safer you will be.”

Local lockdowns continue to take place, and new guidelines for the wider population are also coming into place in parts of the UK.

Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, recently said: “Life – at the moment – shouldn’t feel absolutely normal. I wish it could, but it can’t and it shouldn’t.”

Guidance for people who are clinically vulnerable, including people with Parkinson’s, says that it’s very important to stay at home as much as possible. Follow distancing and hygiene guidelines if you do go out.

The UK government advises people to think ‘Hands. Face. Space’:

You should wash your hands regularly, for at least 20 seconds.

regularly, for at least 20 seconds. You should wear a face covering in enclosed spaces.

covering in enclosed spaces. You should give people outside of your household space of at least 2 metres, or 1 metre where other measures are in place.

During this pandemic, it's especially important to take extra care of your wellbeing and mental health. We've published an article on how to cope if you're feeling isolated. And the charity, Mind, have put together some helpful guidance on wellbeing and coronavirus.

Reasons to leave home, and distancing

If you leave the house you should try to avoid busy times and spaces. Keep a distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from people you do not live with.

In Northern Ireland, England and Scotland, where it's not possible to maintain a 2m distance, 1m is allowed. This is only where extra precautions are in place and may apply to places like offices, supermarkets, cafes. We recommend that you check what extra precautions are in place before you decide if this is safe for you. Extra precautions include proper ventilation, no face to face contact, face coverings, and plastic screens.

Continue to follow good hygiene practices, including regular hand-washing, not sharing crockery and cutlery, and wiping down surfaces. It's still safest not to go into other people’s homes.

Reasons you may leave your home include:

For work, where you cannot work from home.

Going to shops and other places that are permitted to be open, staying 2m apart.

To exercise or spend time outdoors, staying 2m apart.

To socialise outdoors, staying 2m apart (in groups of no more than 6 people in England, 30 people in Wales, 15 people in Northern Ireland, and 6 people in Scotland – from no more than 2 households).

To attend church services or places of worship.

Any medical need, including to donate blood, avoid injury or illness, escape risk of harm, or provide care or help to a vulnerable person.

How many people can I see at once?

It is best to stay at home as much as possible and avoid as much social contact as you can. If you leave your house you should try to avoid busy times and spaces, and keep a distance of 2 metres (6 feet) from people you do not live with.

The 4 nations have different guidelines and laws. Your personal situation and circumstances may lead to exceptions, or extra precautions. As a guide, at the time of writing the social gathering rules for the general population are as follows:

England Northern Ireland Scotland* Wales** Indoors (meeting friends and family, including overnight stays) Up to 6 people from different households Up to 6 people from no more than 2 households Up to 6 people from no more than 2 households Up to 6 people from your extended household at one time Outdoors (meeting friends and family) Up to 6 people from different households Up to 15 people from different households Up to 6 people from no more than 2 households Up to 30 people from different households

*In Scotland, children under the age of 12 do not count towards the 6 people.

**In Wales, children under the age of 11 do not count towards the 6 people.

Wear a face covering

If you have to be in an indoor space, it’s best to wear a face covering. You may be asked to wear one in certain situations. You should be informed of this before you go. Face coverings on public transport, shops and other indoor places are compulsory in England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. In Wales, face coverings are compulsory on public transport and are compulsory in shops and indoor public spaces.

You can see how to make and wear a face covering here. We also sell face coverings and filters in our shop here.

You do not need to wear a face covering if you have a good reason not to. If you have a physical or mental illness, or a disability that means you cannot put on, wear or remove a face covering, you do not have to wear one. You do not have to provide medical evidence of your reason for not wearing a face covering.

For exemptions and guidance in different parts of the UK you can refer to the specific guidance for the country you’re in.

If you feel more comfortable, you can carry a face covering exempt card. You can download and print one free of charge here. The second and third cards under the heading, 'Learning disability cards' are suitable for anyone with Parkinson's who cannot wear a face covering.

Can I form a support bubble, or extended household?

Support bubbles and extended households are intended to help you if you’re lonely and feeling isolated, or if you need to care for or support someone else. You should take particular care when deciding whether to form a support bubble, or extending your household, and any implications this may have on your health.

Support bubbles or extended households must be exclusive. If you decide to form a bubble or extended household, you can only join one household. You and that household must not extend with anyone else. You must not change this arrangement.

In England and Northern Ireland, if you live by yourself or are a single parent with dependent children, you can form a support bubble with one other household of any size. In England, if your support bubble takes you over 6 people, this is allowed.

In Scotland, if you live by yourself or are a single parent with dependent children, you can extend your household with one other person or single person with dependent children. If you have a partner who does not live with you, you can also form an extended household with them, even if neither of you lives alone or only with children under 18.

In Wales, any 4 households can join together to form a single extended household. But, only 6 people from the single extended household can meet indoors at one time. Children under the age of 11 do not count towards the 6 people.

If you meet the criteria and have Parkinson's, you can form a support bubble or extend your household.

Forming a support bubble, or extending with another household or households, means you can meet – indoors or out – and be closer than 2 metres apart. You can also stay overnight as if you lived with that household.

I live with, or care for someone with Parkinson’s - what should I do?

If you’re caring for someone with Parkinson’s, there are some simple steps that you can take to protect them and reduce their risk. Ensure you follow advice including the following:

Stay at home as much as possible.

Work from home if you can.

Limit contact with other people.

Keep your distance if you go out (2 metres apart where possible).

Wash your hands and clothes regularly.

Find out about different sources of support that could be used and access further advice on creating a contingency plan available from Carers UK.

Look after your own wellbeing and physical health during this time. Further information on this is available on our website.

Arrange a test, and self-isolate if you, or anyone in your household, has symptoms. This should be for a period of 10 days.

The person you live with, or care for, might like a booklet with information and support about Parkinson's and coronavirus. You can order a copy of this booklet, free of charge, here.

I volunteer with people with Parkinson’s - what should I do?

We know that meeting others living with Parkinson's is important, and many people are telling us they’re ready to consider getting out in person again. Others have shared that staying connected through activities online or by phone is enough for now.

Your health and wellbeing, and your support, is important. So, our priority at this stage is supporting you to restart only what is necessary and safe. While coronavirus remains a risk, we’re taking a phased approach to volunteering in person, and delivering in person activities.

If you’re thinking about getting started, you’ll find all the information you need on our volunteer portal, Assemble. You can also get in touch with your staff contact. They’ll be able to guide you through resources co-designed by volunteers and staff, and start what is safe to do so.

Want to keep things virtual? If you already know that you do not want to, or cannot yet, return to in person activities, we're committed to supporting you to explore new ways to bring people together and collaborate virtually.

Find out more in the latest update on our approach to in person activities.

Shielding measures for people who are extremely vulnerable

Strict shielding measures for people in the UK classed as extremely vulnerable were introduced in March. Shielding is for people at very high risk of severe illness and hospital admission from coronavirus (COVID-19) because of an underlying health condition. Only people who were advised by the NHS had to take this precaution.

Because disease levels are lower now than when shielding was first introduced, shielding advice is officially paused across the UK. You should have received a letter updating you on what this means for you.

You may choose to remain at home if you do not feel comfortable with contact with others. Though time outside in the fresh air, when it's very quiet, is likely to make you feel better in yourself. Parkinson’s is different for everyone and we know that it’s a challenge to balance your mental health, physical health and social wellbeing. If you’re unsure or need to talk to someone, we’re here. Call our advisers on 0808 800 0303.