When should you self isolate?

In England and Wales you are no longer legally required to self isolate if you test positive for COVID-19. You are, however, advised to stay at home if you can to minimise the spread of COVID-19. For further information about self-isolation, you can visit the Government web pages here if you're in England and here if you're in Wales, and NHS web pages here.

 

How do you self isolate?

If you are self-isolating, you should not:

• leave your home for any reason (you should exercise at home)
• go out to buy food or collect medicine – order them by phone or online, or ask someone else to drop them off at your home
• have visitors, such as friends and family, in your home

 

COVID-19 testing

If you have COVID-19 symptoms, you are advised to have a test. Find out how to request a test here. If you get a positive lateral flow test result, you do not need to confirm the result with a PCR test in most cases.

  

Do you have symptoms and live with a vulnerable person?

If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, you may choose to arrange for them to stay with friends or family. If you have to stay at home together, try to follow the following steps:

• try to keep two metres (three steps) away from each other
• avoid using shared spaces, such as kitchens or bathrooms, at the same time as each other
• open windows in shared spaces if you can
• clean a shared bathroom each time you use it, for example by wiping the surfaces you have touched
• use a dishwasher if you have one – if you do not have one, use washing-up liquid and warm water and dry everything thoroughly
• avoid sharing a bed, if possible
• do not share towels, including hand towels and tea towels

For more information visit the NHS website here