Do I still need to self-isolate with Covid and how long for?
SELF-ISOLATION rules have been adjusted to fit with the "living with Covid" plan.
There have been dozens of changes to quarantine measures over the past two years.
Knowing what they are is important to prevent the spread of the coronavirus as much as possible.
It is no longer a legal requirement to self-isolate, meaning you will not be fined if you don't do it.
However, there is a moral obligation to at least try and prevent contact with other people when you are infectious.
Read on to find out what is advised by the Government.
What does self-isolation mean?
Self-isolation is when you do not leave your home because you have or might have the coronavirus.
Essentially self-isolation means cutting yourself off from the outside world by staying at home from work, school or other public places or public transport or any place where you may spread the virus to others.
If you live with people try to stay away from them as much as you can. Sticking to your room is best, while boring, but it will help keep them safe.
Make sure to clean any shared items like taps or door handles and try to wear a mask when moving into shared space.
Self-isolation is different to social distancing and shielding.
When should I self-isolate?
It is advised you try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people if you test positive for Covid.
However, with free testing scaled back, it will now cost you money to confirm a diagnosis.
Therefore, it is also advised you stay at home if you have any symptoms of Covid - which the NHS says includes a runny nose, headache or fatigue - have a high temperature or you do not feel well enough to go to work or do normal activities.
Covid symptoms overlap with many other conditions, including common colds and hay fever.
Read our article on how to differentiate symptoms of Covid, and what to do if you can't get tested.
How long should I self-isolate for?
It has not been a legal requirement to self-isolate since mid-February 2022.
However, the Government says you should try to stay at home and away from others to avoid passing on the virus.
If you test positive for Covid with a test, it's advised that you isolate for five days.
Many people will no longer be infectious to others after five days.
But it is possible to pass the virus on for up to ten days after the infection starts.
Therefore, it is also recommended you avoid meeting people at high risk of Covid for 10 days starting the day after a positive test.
People who are vulnerable to Covid are advised to avoid meeting with someone who has tested positive for Covid (and anyone in their household) until 10 days after they received a positive test.
If you have symptoms of Covid but cannot get a test, the NHS says you can "go back to your normal activities if you feel well enough to do so, and do not have a high temperature".
Do children need to self-isolate?
If a child or young person aged 18 or under tests positive for Covid they should try to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for 3 days. This starts from the day after they did the test.
Children and young people tend to be infectious to others for less time than adults. If they’re well and do not have a temperature after 3 days, there’s a much lower risk that they’ll pass on Covid to others.
What else can I do?
When isolating with Covid, you can tell others who come into your home that you have Covid, so they can take measures such as wearing a face covering or sitting further away from you.
Ask friends or relatives if they can pick up food or other supplies for you so you don't have to go to the shops. If you do, make sure to wear a face covering that fits snugly to your face, and wash your hands first.
Other tips if you leave your home while infectious include avoiding crowded places, such as public transport, exercise outdoors and not in a gym, avoid touching your face, cover your hands and mouth when you cough or sneeze (or use a tissue), and regularly wash your hands for 20 seconds.
If it is not possible for you to work from home while you have Covid, ask your employer about options available to you, such as working separately to colleagues.
What if someone else is self-isolating in your home?
The Government suggests you do the following to reduce Covid spreading in your home:
- Limit contact with the person with Covid and preferably make sure they stay in one room
- Wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water regularly
- Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when you sneeze or cough (or the crook of your elbow). Immediately throw the rubbish away and wash your hands
- Regularly clean surfaces, especially shared areas like bathrooms
- Rubbish from the infected person should be double-bagged and left aside for at least 72 hours before put in usual external household waste bins
- Wash the person's dirty laundry separately
- Ventilate shared living spaces
- Keep contact with pets restricted, and wash hands thoroughly before and after contact