The most important thing you can do to fight coronavirus is to stay alert and safe. This will help control the virus and save lives.

You can leave home to provide care or help to a vulnerable person – you should follow the guidelines on staying safe outside your home.

If you live in Scotland, go to Ready Scotland for the latest information. If you live in Wales go to gov.wales/safe-help or llyw.cymru/iachadiogel for the latest information.

1. Stay safe as a volunteer

You can leave the house to help someone, for example to take them food and medicine.

If you are doing this, you must:

• stay outside their home if you do not live with them, especially if they are at a higher risk from coronavirus or have symptoms
• limit the time you spend outside your home for example by picking up their food or medicine with yours
• stay 2 metres (6 ft) away if you do not live with them
• not share a car with them
• regularly wash your hands with soapy water for at least 20 seconds

If you do not follow this advice, you could put yourself at risk of infection, or risk spreading it to others.

If you or someone in your household starts to show symptoms, or if you are at high risk of severe symptoms yourself, then you must stay at home. If you still want to help, you can donate to the National Emergency Trust.

1.1 If you’re worried about someone’s health

Contact the NHS:

• Online: NHS 111 online Coronavirus service (for help and advice)
• Phone: 111 (if symptoms get worse)
• Phone: 999 (if someone’s life is at risk)

If you are worried about someone’s mental health, tell them to get help and support from Every Mind Matters.

2. Stay safe if a volunteer is helping you

Read the guidance on staying at home.

If a volunteer is helping you while you stay at home:

• do not give them your credit or debit card numbers or other financial information
• ask for ID if someone you do not know calls at your home
• only share your phone number or address if you need to
• only give your information on a need-to-know basis
• do not let them pressure you into giving information

Remember that volunteers should not enter your home.

If you have serious concerns about the behaviour of someone who is helping you, report this to the police.