South African variant of COVID-19

If you live or work in one of the postcodes where the South African variant of COVID-19 has been detected, you may continue to practise as healthcare provision has not been affected. 

However, if after a personal risk assessment you feel you should not remain open, then you may close if you wish whilst the Government undertakes its testing.

We would also recommend you seek a test for the new COVID variant and encourage your patients to also do the same. 

The postcodes where the new variant has been found are:

• Parts of the W7 and W13 postcode areas in Hanwell and West Ealing in west London
• Parts of the ME15 postcode area in Kent
• Parts of the WS2 postcode area in Walsall in the West Midlands
• Parts of the GU21 postcode area in Woking, Surrey
• Parts of the PR9 postcode area in Southport
• The CR4 postcode area around Pollards Hill in south London
• Tottenham Hale in the N17 postcode area of north London
• The EN10 postcode area in Broxbourne

Find out more about the new variant and surge testing in the government press release: Surge testing to be deployed to monitor and suppress spread of COVID-19 variant