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Coronavirus: Is loss of sense of taste and smell a symptom? And other questions Coronavirus: How long can I exercise for each day? And other questions
(about 1 hour later)
The UK government has introduced strict new measures to try to slow the spread of coronavirus.The UK government has introduced strict new measures to try to slow the spread of coronavirus.
Here are the answers to some of the most common readers' questions.Here are the answers to some of the most common readers' questions.
Is there a time limit on how long we can be outside for once-a-day exercise, and are we allowed to get in our car to travel to go for a walk? - Sam Fearn, York
The current government guidance is to take "one form of exercise a day, for example a run, walk or cycle - alone or with members of your household".
No mention is given to the length of exercise, although Cabinet Minister Michael Gove said on Tuesday that "people can go for the standard length of run or walk that they ordinarily would have done. But… the important thing is, once a day".
Nothing expressly forbids people driving somewhere to go for a walk, but scenes last weekend - where tourist attractions such as Snowdonia attracted larger than usual crowds, and with them, the risk of spreading the virus - suggest that this may not be a good idea.
You should be extremely careful that you will be able to maintain a social distance of more than 2m (6ft) from other people wherever you go.
I lost my sense of taste and smell over seven days ago. Is this a symptom? - Liz Clarke, ManchesterI lost my sense of taste and smell over seven days ago. Is this a symptom? - Liz Clarke, Manchester
Ear, nose and throat specialists in the UK have also noticed rising reports of anosmia - the term for loss of smell.Ear, nose and throat specialists in the UK have also noticed rising reports of anosmia - the term for loss of smell.
And increasing numbers of people on social media have been reporting a lost sense of smell and taste. Some have tested positive for coronavirus.And increasing numbers of people on social media have been reporting a lost sense of smell and taste. Some have tested positive for coronavirus.
However, the evidence so far is only anecdotal and viruses behind the common cold often lead to lost senses of smell and/or taste.However, the evidence so far is only anecdotal and viruses behind the common cold often lead to lost senses of smell and/or taste.
My car is due its MOT. Are garages still open and doing this service? - Stewart Oxley, Coulby NewhamMy car is due its MOT. Are garages still open and doing this service? - Stewart Oxley, Coulby Newham
The government has granted a temporary six-month MOT extension to all cars, motorcycles and light vans which have an MOT due from 30 March. However, it says that all vehicles need to be kept in a roadworthy condition, and taken to a garage if they need repairs (garages are allowed to remain open under the new restrictions).The government has granted a temporary six-month MOT extension to all cars, motorcycles and light vans which have an MOT due from 30 March. However, it says that all vehicles need to be kept in a roadworthy condition, and taken to a garage if they need repairs (garages are allowed to remain open under the new restrictions).
Vehicles due for an MOT before 30 March should still be taken in for testing, unless their owner is self-isolating.Vehicles due for an MOT before 30 March should still be taken in for testing, unless their owner is self-isolating.
MOTs have been suspended for lorries, buses and trailers for up to three months.MOTs have been suspended for lorries, buses and trailers for up to three months.
The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has also suspended driving and motorcycle tests in England, Scotland and Wales for up to three months from 21 March, except for critical workers.The Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) has also suspended driving and motorcycle tests in England, Scotland and Wales for up to three months from 21 March, except for critical workers.
All practical driving tests are also currently suspended in Northern Ireland until 22 June.All practical driving tests are also currently suspended in Northern Ireland until 22 June.
I'm a vulnerable person and social interaction is needed with my carer. Is he allowed to visit me? - Lee Thompson, Barrow-in-FurnessI'm a vulnerable person and social interaction is needed with my carer. Is he allowed to visit me? - Lee Thompson, Barrow-in-Furness
If your carer is providing essential support, the government says that this should continue as normal, as long as the carer doesn't have symptoms of coronavirus.If your carer is providing essential support, the government says that this should continue as normal, as long as the carer doesn't have symptoms of coronavirus.
It's advised that any visitors to your home should wash their hands for 20 seconds with water and soap before and regularly during their visit, and keep a distance of 2m (6ft) away from you.It's advised that any visitors to your home should wash their hands for 20 seconds with water and soap before and regularly during their visit, and keep a distance of 2m (6ft) away from you.
Additionally, it's important to keep a list of alternative people who can help you if your carer becomes ill.Additionally, it's important to keep a list of alternative people who can help you if your carer becomes ill.
What do I need to know about the coronavirus?
If somebody develops any symptoms of Covid-19, what action should someone pregnant in the house take regarding isolation? - Billy, SuffolkIf somebody develops any symptoms of Covid-19, what action should someone pregnant in the house take regarding isolation? - Billy, Suffolk
If someone in your home develops symptoms of coronavirus, the government advises vulnerable people - like those who are pregnant or over 70 years old - to stay with friends or family if they can during the isolation period of 14 days.If someone in your home develops symptoms of coronavirus, the government advises vulnerable people - like those who are pregnant or over 70 years old - to stay with friends or family if they can during the isolation period of 14 days.
If this is not possible, stay away from the individual with symptoms as much as possible. There is no evidence yet that pregnant women (and their babies) are at greater risk if they catch coronavirus, but the government says that they should be extra cautious for now.If this is not possible, stay away from the individual with symptoms as much as possible. There is no evidence yet that pregnant women (and their babies) are at greater risk if they catch coronavirus, but the government says that they should be extra cautious for now.
Can divorced parents keep seeing their kids even if they live in different houses? - Safia Finlay, Lymington I work for the NHS and am divorced. My daughter needs to see her father. How can I assure I'm not spreading the virus around the two families? - Lisa Bishop, Godalming
Yes. The government guidance on staying at home says: "Where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents' homes." If neither parent nor child is showing symptoms of the virus or self-isolating, children of separated parents are still allowed to stay with either of them.
Cabinet Minister Michael Gove has also tweeted a message in answer to claims that advice had not been clear enough. Government guidance on staying at home says: "Where parents do not live in the same household, children under 18 can be moved between their parents' homes."
He said that while children should not normally be moving between households, it may be necessary in these circumstances. However, the Family Division of the High Court has said that, in England and Wales, if one parent is worried that moving their child would be going against public health advice, they may "exercise their parental responsibility and vary the arrangement to one that they consider to be safe", even if the other parent does not agree.
I'm a single mum of a one-year-old and an intensive care nurse for the NHS. I usually use family for childcare, now I can't. How do I continue? - Kelly, 35, Bristol Where this is the case, family courts will expect parents to allow contact by video chat or phone.
Nurseries, childminders and other registered childcare settings are among the places that are staying open to look after the children of key workers such as nurses. They won't all be able to stay open if they have staff shortages caused by the virus, but in those cases, neighbouring areas might be able to help.
Local authorities are working with the government to make sure children are cared for and will help by providing transport to childcare settings if it's needed - so contacting them would be a good first step.
Gingerbread, the charity supporting single parents, also has a helpline for those wanting advice at this time.
We're due to move house this Friday. Can we? - James Stone, Bristol
The government is yet to issue official advice for those who have already exchanged contracts and are waiting to move house.
The campaign group Homeowners Alliance says it would suggest going through with the move if you can, although it says you may struggle with getting your belongings moved.
It also advises you to speak to all of those involved in the process as soon as possible - your solicitor, your buyer and/or seller and your removals company.
Will deliveries from non-essential shops still go ahead? - Jake, Earley
You should expect deliveries of existing orders to go ahead.
Government guidelines say that online shopping sites are still open (and encouraged) and postal and delivery services will run as usual.
Postal workers will no longer ask customers to sign for deliveries, but will log the recipient's name instead. If items can't fit through letterboxes, they will leave them at the door and step aside to a safe distance to allow people to retrieve their goods.
Retailer John Lewis says it's still offering home deliveries for large items such as furniture or home appliances, but not home installation or assembly.
Currys and AO are also continuing to deliver appliances, but if anyone in the household is self-isolating, items will be delivered to the doorstep.
What if I need to take my pet to a vet? - Tania Barr, Langford
Vets across the UK remain open, but the latest government advice is that practices should only provide emergency care and must reduce face-to-face contact as much as possible.
Until more detailed advice is published, people should only go to the vet if they are seeking non-routine, urgent care (or essential food) for their animals.
Can tradespeople still work at my house? - David, Merstham
Tradespeople are not currently on the list of non-essential businesses and premises that the government says must shut (the list is here).
That said, the government has banned public gatherings of any more than two people. An exception is made where the gathering is essential for work purposes, "but workers should be trying to minimise all meetings and other gatherings in the workplace".
If tradespeople need to be called out to your home, keep 2m apart and wipe down surfaces before and after their visit.
I sell online and post my goods. Can I still go the Post Office? - Kathryn Lowe, Ibstock
Post offices are among the shops and outlets which the government has said will remain open.
However, if you visit a post office, make sure you follow the government guidelines on social distancing. This includes staying 2m away from staff and other customers, and not gathering in large groups.
Shops and post offices are also required to practise queue control - outside their premises if necessary.
My partner lives away from me. Can we visit each other? - Trevor Sumnerson, Sheffield
No, this would go against the new government measures. In his statement, Boris Johnson said: "If your friends ask you to meet, you should say no. You should not be meeting family members who do not live in your home."
An exception for this would be if you provided essential care for your partner or vice versa.
People have also been told not to make any unnecessary journeys.
What questions do you have about the coronavirus?What questions do you have about the coronavirus?
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