The service will provide information on topics such as coronavirus prevention and symptoms, the latest number of cases in the UK, advice on staying at home, travel advice and myth busting. The service will also allow the government to send messages to all opted-in users if required.
To use the free GOV.UK Coronavirus Information Service on WhatsApp, simply add 07860 064422 in your phone contacts and then message the word ‘hi’ in a WhatsApp message to get started.
A set of menu options is then presented which the user can choose from and then be sent relevant guidance from GOV.UK pages as well as links to GOV.UK for further information.
As noted in yesterday’s newsletter, a helpline for elderly and vulnerable people in need of assistance has been set up through Harrow Council. If you require help with food or medicine deliveries, or are experiencing problems as a result of social distancing and self isolation, please do not hesitate to call the helpline number at 020 8901 2698.
The Government would also like to extend a huge thanks to the hundreds of thousands of people who have volunteered to help through the NHS Volunteer Repsonders scheme. It had been hoped we would get 250,000 people over a few days, but an incredible 405,000 volunteered within the first 24 hours. We cannot thank you enough.
If you have not yet volunteered and would like do so, you can sign-up via the link below:
NHS Volunter Responders sign-up page
For further details on the ongoing situation, the NHS coronavirus information page and the GOV UK Government response page provide the latest information and advice on how to stay safe: