Coronavirus (COVID-19) A to Z
The coronavirus (COVID-19) style guide helps people publishing content on GOV.UK to write clearly and consistently.
About the style guide
The language we use must be specific and well understood by users. It should also match government and NHS campaign materials.
Use this style guide with the main GOV.UK style guide.
The style guide includes:
- guidance on specific points of style, such as abbreviations and numbers
- GOV.UK style for specific words and phrases, in terms of spelling, hyphenation and capitalisation
- definitions of some COVID-19 specific words and phrases
COVID-19 words or style may be different on other platforms and services where there’s a specific user need supported by user insights or because of development and deployment timelines, for example the NHS COVID-19 app.
Check with your organisation’s content team for any additional words or style used in content, for example in education or health, that are not covered in this style guide.
You can search the style guide by:
- Selecting ‘show all sections’.
- Pressing Ctrl+f on your keyboard if you’re using a PC or ⌘+f if you’re using a Mac.
- Typing the word or search term that you’re looking for.
A
Ask service
Use ‘Ask the government a question’ including the link.
Do not use ‘Ask’ or ‘Ask service’.
Amber list
Refers to the ‘amber list’ rules for entering England from other countries or territories.
Use ‘amber list’ lower case.
For example:
- “countries and territories on the amber list”
- “amber list of countries and territories”
- “a country or territory on the amber list”
Antibody test
This can check if it is likely that someone has had COVID-19 before, or if they have developed antibodies following vaccination or infection.
Lower case.
Use ‘antibody test’.
Do not use ‘Antibody Test’ in title case.
Do not use ‘virus test’, ‘coronavirus test’ or ‘COVID-19 test’ when referring to an antibody test.
Antigen test
See ‘Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test’ and ‘lateral flow’ in this style guide.
B
Bounce Back Loan
Use ‘Bounce Back Loan Scheme (BBLS)’ including the link the first time you mention it. Upper case when referring to the actual scheme.
Use ‘BBLS’ after that.
Do not use ‘bounce back loan’ or ‘bounce back loan scheme’ lower case.
C
Care setting
Refers to any place where someone receives health or social care, such as a hospital, nursing home, care home, hospice or home.
Use ‘in health and social care settings’ if you are referring to multiple settings.
Do not use ‘in health and social care settings’ if you are referring to one setting. Be specific about the place the guidance is for, such as for hospitals.
Do not use ‘care settings’ alone, users may associate this with social care only, when it also includes hospitals.
Childcare bubble
Use ‘childcare bubble’ lower case. Include the link at first mention. Use a definition where it is helpful.
Clinically extremely vulnerable
Clinically extremely vulnerable refers to people who are at high risk of serious illness from COVID-19.
These people have been told directly by their GP or hospital, or have received a letter, confirming that they are ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’.
They are classified separately because they are asked to follow specific guidance for clinically extremely vulnerable people. This has, for certain periods of time, included advice to ‘shield’.
Use ‘people who are clinically extremely vulnerable’, with the whole term in lower case, including the link to the NHS website.
Only use ‘people at high risk’ where needed and alongside ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’.
Do not use ‘clinically vulnerable people’ when you mean clinically extremely vulnerable - this is a different set of people.
Contact tracing
How NHS Test and Trace identify someone who may have been exposed to COVID-19.
Lower case.
Use ‘contact tracing’ as a noun, and always follow the term with a definition that includes a link to the NHS Test and Trace service.
Do not use ‘contact trace’ as a verb.
Contact tracers
Use ‘you will be contacted by someone from NHS Test and Trace’ or ‘if you have been contacted by someone from NHS Test and Trace’.
Do not use ‘contact tracers’.
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Coronavirus is the type of virus that causes the illness COVID-19. There are several coronaviruses; this pandemic is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus which in some people causes the illness COVID-19.
Users use ‘COVID-19’ more than ‘coronavirus’ in both GOV.UK and Google search.
Where you need to refer to it in the title, use ‘coronavirus (COVID-19)’.
Use ‘coronavirus (COVID-19)’ in the text at first mention, then ‘COVID-19’ after that.
Coronavirus is lower case. Use ‘COVID-19’ capitalised as this is the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard.
Do not use ‘Covid-19’ with only the first letter capitalised or ‘covid-19’ lower case.
Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
Use ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS)’ at the first mention then use ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ after that. Upper case when referring to the scheme.
For example “employees on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme”.
Do not use ‘Job Retention Scheme’.
Also see ‘furlough’ in this style guide.
COVID-19 status
Refers to someone’s COVID-19 status through the NHS COVID Pass in the NHS app which can show:
- the number of vaccine doses someone has received
- a negative PCR or lateral flow test result
- natural immunity after a positive PCR test
Use ‘COVID-19 status’.
COVID-19 status is different from someone’s vaccination status, which specifically shows how many doses of the vaccine someone has received.
COVID-19 symptoms
Check the NHS definition of COVID-19 symptoms if you need to define COVID-19 symptoms.
COVID-secure
Refers to putting safety measures in place at a workplace to limit the spread of coronavirus.
A workplace can only be COVID-secure if it has undergone a self-assigned risk assessment.
Use ‘COVID-secure’ only to ‘make your workplace COVID-secure’, active rather than passive.
Such as, ‘Your employer should make your workplace COVID-secure. This means doing a risk assessment for your workplace.’ or, ‘How to make your business COVID-secure’.
Do not use:
- ‘COVID-secure’ in relation to anything apart from a workplace
- ‘COVID secure’ or ‘Covid secure’ without the dash
- ‘Covid-secure’ lower case
- ‘COVID-19 secure’ or ‘COVID-19 Secure’
Critical worker
‘Critical worker’ is used to define workers critical to the COVID-19 response whose children get prioritised for school attendance. It is not the same as an ‘essential worker’.
Use ‘critical worker’ lower case only in relation to educational provision.
Otherwise, see ‘essential worker’ in this style guide for guidance that is not related to education provision.
Do not use ‘keyworker’.
D
Daily contact testing
Refers to the daily testing of people without symptoms who have been in contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Use ‘daily contact testing’.
Do not use ‘serial testing’.
E
Essential worker
An ‘essential worker’ is a worker that supplies necessary services to the COVID-19 response. They are a priority for testing to allow them to go back to work. It is not the same as a ‘critical worker’. There is a list of professions who are essential workers.
Use ‘essential worker’ in reference to testing. Use lower case and link to the list of professions where this is useful.
Do not use ‘critical worker’ or ‘key worker’ in reference to testing.
Exemptions or exceptions
Exemption refers to a policy-defined rule, whereas an exception does not have to be policy-defined.
‘Exemption’ is used to describe the exclusion of something from the normal rules, defined by policy.
‘Exception’ can be used to describe special cases of a rule, instruction, practice, or activity you’re describing.
A simpler way to say either of these is ‘you do not need to’.
Use ‘you do not need to’ or ‘you are exempt from’ as these are active rather than passive.
Use ‘exceptions to the rule’ or ‘exemptions from the rule’ where it is helpful. Make sure each term is used correctly. See the definitions above.
Extended household
Use ‘people you live with’, ‘household’ or ‘support bubble’. Be specific.
Do not use ‘extended household’.
F
Face coverings
Use ‘face covering’ for non-medical face coverings that are advised for the general public.
Do not use:
- ‘face mask’ - only use ‘face masks’ for medical protective equipment.
- ‘face-covering’ with a dash
- ‘face shield’- we only use ‘shield’ in reference to ‘shielding’ for extremely vulnerable people (also see ‘face visor’)
Face visor
Use ‘face visor’ when referring to protection used in health and social care settings or some workplaces where droplet spread is common.
Do not use ‘face shield’.
Fight coronavirus (COVID-19)
Use ‘to help stop the spread of COVID-19 or ‘to stop the spread of COVID-19’ if it is helpful.
Do not use ‘to fight COVID-19’ or ‘to fight coronavirus’.
Fresh air
Use ‘fresh air (ventilation)’ at first mention, then ‘fresh air’ after that.
Do not use ‘ventilation’ alone unless referring to mechanical ventilation systems.
Fully vaccinated
A person is fully vaccinated 14 days after their final dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine.
Use ‘fully vaccinated’ lower case.
For example: “from 19 July fully vaccinated people returning to England from amber list countries will not need to quarantine.”
Do not use:
- double jabbed
- double vaccinated
Furlough
Refers to employees who are not working due to COVID-19 but are kept on payroll by their employer, supported by a grant from the government. This is known as being ‘on furlough’.
Use ‘on furlough’ or ‘put on furlough’ not ‘furloughed’.
Use ‘Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme’ upper case.
Do not use ‘furlough’ without ‘on’.
G
Green list
Refers to the ‘green list’ rules for entering England from other countries or territories.
Use ‘green list’ lower case.
For example:
- “countries and territories on the green list”
- “green list of countries and territories”
- “a country or territory on the green list”
Growth rate
The growth rate reflects how quickly the number of COVID-19 infections are changing day by day.
It is an approximation of the percentage change in the number of infections each day.
If the growth rate is greater than 0 (+ positive), then the epidemic is growing. If the growth rate is less than 0 (- negative) then the epidemic is shrinking.
Always use ‘growth rate’.
Do not use:
- ‘Growth Rate’
- ‘G rate’
- ‘g rate’
H
Household
A household means either one person living on their own or a group of people living in the same home and usually sharing facilities, for example a kitchen for cooking or a bathroom. A household can be a family living in the same home, flatmates or one person living on their own. What’s important is that it’s always the same people and the same home.
There is separate guidance on what is a household for hostels.
Use:
- ‘Household’ - include the definition where this is helpful
- ‘people you live with’ or ‘living in the same home’ where helpful as it is clearer for users
- ‘if you live by yourself’ or ‘if you live alone’ instead of ‘single household’
I
Isolate
Use ‘isolate’ when referring to isolating an animal.
Also see ‘self-isolating’ and ‘quarantine’.
J
Job Retention Bonus
Use ‘Job Retention Bonus’ upper case including the link.
Do not use ‘job retention bonus’ lower case.
Do not use ‘bonus for employers’ as this is unclear.
K
Keyworker
See ‘essential worker’ in this style guide.
L
Lateral flow
Rapid lateral flow tests are most commonly used to check if someone has COVID-19 if they do not have symptoms.
Use ‘rapid lateral flow test’.
For example, ‘rapid lateral flow home test kit’, ‘rapid lateral flow test site’ or ‘get a rapid lateral flow test if you do not have symptoms’.
Use ‘rapid lateral flow device’ in relation to the device used as part of a rapid lateral flow test.
Do not use:
- virus test
- antigen test or rapid antigen test
- rapid test
- rapid antigen test
- asymptomatic test
- symptom-free test
- 30 minute test
- self-reported, self-use, self-sampling or self-swab
Linked household
Use ‘people you live with’, ‘household’ or ‘support bubble’. Be specific.
Do not use ‘linked household’.
Lockdown
Use ‘national lockdown’.
Do not use ‘local lockdown’.
M
Mass testing
Refers to testing a large number of asymptomatic people for COVID-19.
Use ‘mass testing’ lower case.
Mass testing pilot
Refers to a pilot for mass testing of asymptomatic people in a particular local authority, local council area, community group or organisation.
Use ‘mass testing pilot’ lower case.
Mobile test unit
Refers to a unit which can travel to areas of highest demand to test for COVID-19.
Use ‘mobile test unit’.
Do not use ‘mobile test site’.
Must
Use ‘must’ where there is a legal obligation for someone to do something (statutory guidance).
Otherwise, use ‘can’, ‘should’, or others, where something is guidance or advised (non-statutory guidance).
Use active sentences ‘you should’, ‘you must’ rather than ‘households should’ or ‘people must’ for example.
Use ‘you must’, ‘you must not’ for statutory guidance.
Use ‘you can’, ‘you cannot’, ‘you should’, ‘you should not’, or others, for non-statutory guidance.
N
National restrictions
Refers to restrictions applied across a country - it’s important to be clear on whether they apply to one country, several countries or the whole of the UK.
Use ‘national restrictions’. Make clear which country or countries of the UK they apply to.
NHS COVID-19 app
Use ‘NHS COVID-19 app’.
Do not use:
- ‘COVID-19 app’
- ‘coronavirus app’
- ‘NHS app’
NHS COVID Pass
NHS COVID Pass is a service that shows someone’s vaccination details or test results.
Use ‘NHS COVID Pass’ the first time, then use ‘COVID Pass’ after that.
Do not use:
- COVID passport
- vaccine pass or passport
- vaccination pass or passport
See also ‘vaccination status’ and ‘COVID-19 status’ in this style guide.
NHS Test and Trace service
NHS Test and Trace is an organisation responsible for testing and contact tracing.
Use ‘NHS Test and Trace’ or ‘NHS Test and Trace service’.
Do not use:
- ‘Test and Trace’
- ‘Test and Trace service’
- ‘test and trace’ lower case
O
Outbreak
Refers to more cases of a disease than expected in a specific location over a specific time period.
Use ‘pandemic’ or ‘during the COVID-19 pandemic’.
Only use ‘outbreak’ to refer to ‘an outbreak’ in a specific location for a time-limited period.
Do not use ‘because of or during the COVID-19 outbreak’.
P
Pandemic
Refers to a disease occurring worldwide.
Use ‘pandemic’ or ‘during the COVID-19 pandemic’.
Do not use ‘outbreak’.
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test
Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests are mostly commonly used to check if someone who has symptoms is positive for COVID-19 or to confirm a positive rapid lateral flow test.
Use ‘polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test’ the first time you mention it, then use ‘PCR test’ after that.
For example ‘PCR home test kit’ or ‘PCR test site’.
Do not use:
- virus test
- antigen test
- swab test
- lab test
- symptomatic test
- home test or home kit
- drive-through test or walk-in test on their own
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Lower case.
Use ‘personal protective equipment (PPE)’ the first time you mention it, then you can use ‘PPE’ after that.
Use ‘personal protective equipment (PPE)’ in the page title, not PPE.
Do not use ‘Personal Protective Equipment’ capitalised.
Do not use ‘Personal protective equipment (PPE)’ when referring to ‘face coverings’ or other uses of PPE in workplaces not included in guidance. See ‘face coverings’ in this style guide.
Q
Quarantine
Use ‘quarantine’ when referring to someone who has arrived from:
- a red list country or territory and must stay in a managed quarantine hotel
- an amber list country or territory and must quarantine at home or in the place they’re staying
Use ‘managed quarantine hotel’ for the place someone has to quarantine in after arriving from a red list country or territory.
See ‘self-isolating’ in this style guide for people who have:
- symptoms of COVID-19
- a positive COVID-19 test
- been in contact with someone who has tested positive
R
R number
R number refers to reproduction number, which is the average number of secondary infections produced by a single infected person.
If R is greater than 1 the epidemic is growing.
If R is less than 1 the epidemic is shrinking.
If R is equal to 1 the total number of infections is stable.
Use ‘reproduction number (R number)’ and define it as ‘the average number of secondary infections produced by a single infected person’ the first time you use it. You can refer to ‘R number’ after that.
Do not use:
- ‘R Number’ with both capitalised
- ‘r number’ with both lower case
Rapid test
See ‘lateral flow’ in this style guide.
Restrictions, requirements, rules and regulations
A restriction refers to a limiting measure, particularly a legal one. For example, ‘local restrictions’.
A requirement refers to something that is mandatory or necessary. It is something a user needs to have or needs to do.
A rule is a guide for action. It is something a user needs to follow, such as the ‘rule of 6’.
A regulation is a rule made and maintained by a government department or public body.
Use:
- ‘restrictions’, ‘requirements’, ‘rules’, ‘regulations’ in line with the definitions where this is helpful
- ‘local restrictions’ where this is helpful to describe localised restrictions for a specific area
- ‘requirements’
Red list
Refers to the ‘red list’ rules for entering England from other countries or territories.
Use ‘red list’ lower case.
For example:
- “countries and territories on the red list”
- “red list of countries and territories”
- “a country or territory on the red list”
Royal Mail barcode
Refers to the barcode that appears on a test kit’s prepaid return label. It is made up of 13 number and letters. This can be used to register a test kit.
Use ‘Royal Mail barcode’.
Do not use ‘Royal Mail bar code’ or ‘Royal Mail bar-code’.
Royal Mail priority postbox
A ‘Royal Mail priority postbox’ should be used to return PCR home test kits.
Use ‘Royal Mail priority postbox’ the first time you mention it, then you can use ‘priority postbox’ after that.
Do not use ‘priority post box’ or ‘priority post-box’.
‘Rule of 6’
Refers to the rule that you can only meet friends or family from other households in groups of 6 or fewer.
There are exceptions where groups can be larger than 6 people, for example from 2 households of any size.
Use ‘rule of 6’, lower case with the digit 6.
Do not use:
- ‘Rule of 6’ capitalised, unless it is starting the sentence
- ‘Rule of six’ or ‘rule of six’
S
Self Employment Income Support Scheme Grant
Upper case when referencing the scheme.
Use ‘Self Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)’, the first time you mention it. You can then refer to ‘SEISS’ after that.
Use ‘first grant’, ‘second grant’ and ‘third grant’ to refer to the different stages of the grant.
Self-isolating
People typically have to self-isolate if any of the following reasons apply:
- they have symptoms of COVID-19
- they have a positive COVID-19 test
- they have been in contact with someone who has tested positive
Use ‘self-isolation’ (noun).
Use ‘self-isolate’ or ‘self-isolating’ (verb).
Include the link from first mention and where useful.
Do not use self-isolate, self-isolating or self-isolation if referring to quarantine after travel abroad. See ‘quarantine’ in this style guide.
Shielding
‘Shielding guidance’ refers to the extra precautions that those who are clinically extremely vulnerable have been advised to take for certain periods of time.
Use ‘guidance for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable’ in reference to advice for people who are clinically extremely vulnerable. Link to the full guidance from first mention and where useful.
Do not use ‘shielded’.
Single-adult household
Refers to one adult living alone, used in reference to making a support bubble.
Use ‘if you live alone’ as it is active and clearer for users.
Avoid using ‘single-adult household’. If it cannot be avoided, use ‘if you live alone (sometimes called a single-adult household)’.
Do not use ‘single household’.
Single-parent household
Refers to a single parent living with children who are under 18 as of a certain date.
Use ‘single parent living with children’ over ‘single-parent household’.
If you do use ‘single-parent household’, use the definition.
Social distancing
Use ‘social distancing’ as in ‘maintain social distancing’ (noun). Link to the full guidance on social distancing from first mention and where useful.
Do not use ‘social distance from others’ (verb) or ‘remain socially distant’.
Spread
Use ‘the spread of COVID-19 or ‘to avoid spreading COVID-19 from person to person’.
Do not use ‘to fight COVID-19’.
Support bubble
Use ‘support bubble’, include the link and define it the first time.
Do not use ‘extended household’ or ‘linked household’.
Support group
Use ‘support group’. Use the list where this is helpful.
Do not use ‘support bubble’ or ‘support network’ to refer to this.
Support network
Do not use ‘support network’ to define ‘support bubble’. See ‘support bubble’ in this style guide.
Surge testing
Refers to increased testing (including door-to-door testing in some areas) and enhanced contact tracing in specific locations.
Use ‘surge testing’.
Do not use ‘enhanced testing’.
Swab test
See ‘Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test’ or ‘lateral flow’ in this style guide.
Symptoms
See ‘COVID-19 symptoms’ in this style guide.
T
Test and Trace
See ‘NHS Test and Trace’ in this style guide.
Test kit barcode
The ‘test kit barcode’ is made up of 11 numbers and letters. This can be used to register a test kit.
Use ‘test kit barcode’.
Do not use ‘test kit bar-code’ or ‘test kit bar code’.
Test order ID
Use ‘order ID’ for the 10 digit number people receive when they order a PCR home test kit. This can be used to register a test kit.
Test site
Use ‘test site’ to describe a location where you can be tested for COVID-19.
You can also use:
- ‘regional test site’
- ‘local test site’
Do not use:
- ‘testing site’
- ‘mobile test site’ - see ‘mobile test unit’ in this style guide
Test subject ID
Refers to the QR code identifier that is issued with every test record. This enables the person taking the test to be identified.
Use ‘subject ID’.
Test to Release
Use ‘Test to Release’ upper case including the link.
Transmission of coronavirus (COVID-19)
Use ‘spread of COVID-19’. This is the plain English version.
Avoid using ‘transmission of COVID-19’. Transmission is a medical term.
Travel corridor list
Use ‘travel corridor list’ lower case and define the term the first time you use it.
Avoid using the term ‘travel corridor’ without adding the word ‘list’ - ‘list’ adds clarity.
Do not use ‘travel corridors’ plural or ‘Travel Corridor’ capitalised.
V
Vaccination
Use ‘coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccination’ when referring to the vaccination process or programme.
Vaccination status
Vaccination status refers to which vaccine someone has had and how many doses, typically using the NHS COVID Pass service.
This is the only status used in the paper letter NHS COVID Pass.
Use ‘vaccination status’ lower case.
For negative PCR or lateral flow test results or immunity following a positive PCR test, see ‘COVID-19 status’ in this style guide.
Vaccine
Use ‘coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine’ on the first mention then use ‘COVID-19 vaccine’.
For example, a user would get the coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccine as part of the vaccination programme.
Variant
Use the World Health Organisation (WHO) naming convention for COVID-19 variants.
In titles and summaries, use the WHO label upper case. For example ‘Alpha variant’.
In content at the first mention, use the WHO label upper case as well as the lineage in round brackets. Use the WHO label after that.
For example ‘Alpha variant (B.1.1.7)’ then ‘Alpha variant’.
In some scenarios, it may be appropriate to also include the location where the variant was first discovered while users are introduced to the new naming convention.
For example ‘Alpha variant (B.1.1.7, first discovered in Kent, United Kingdom)’ then ‘Alpha variant’.
If a variant does not yet have a label from WHO, use the Public Health England reference as well as the lineage in round brackets.
For example ‘VOC-20DEC-01 (B.1.1.7)’. Include the location if appropriate, for example ‘VOC-20DEC-01 (B.1.1.7, first discovered in Kent, United Kingdom)’.
Do not use location to describe a variant on its own, for example ‘the Kent variant’.
Variant under investigation
Use ‘variant under investigation’ lower case.
Variant of concern
Use ‘variant of concern’ lower case.
Ventilation
See ‘fresh air’ in this style guide.
Only use ‘ventilation’ when referring to ventilation systems rather than letting in fresh air.
Virus test
See ‘PCR (polymerase chain reaction) test’ or ‘lateral flow’ in this style guide.
Vulnerable people
Refers to people who are vulnerable to harm and need support, such as victims of domestic abuse, people who are homeless or children with special educational needs.
Avoid using ‘vulnerable’ people as there is a risk of confusion with ‘clinically vulnerable’ or ‘clinically extremely vulnerable’ people.
Be specific about who the guidance or support is for. Define the user group. Users do not self identify as ‘vulnerable’.