SELF-ISOLATION rules have changed rapidly in the last few weeks, but it's important you know them to help slow the spread of the coronavirus.
With the latest Covid variant Omicron increasing cases rapidly and spreading fast around the country, quarantine measures have been changed.
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 — and no visitors!
Failing to self-isolate properly could mean you give the virus to others, potentially vulnerable people.
It means staying at home from work, school or other public places or public transport or any place where you may spread the virus to others.
Also, make sure you have a well-ventilated room with a window which can be opened.
And while there should be no visitors, it is fine to have friends, family or delivery drivers drop off essentials during this period.
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?
You need to self-isolate if the following applies to you:
- you have any of the following symptoms: a high temperature, a new, continuous cough, a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste (however, Omicron and Delta are throwing up different symptoms – so it's best to do a lateral flow and isolate until you know you are clear if you feel unwell)
- you have tested positive for the virus, even if you have no symptoms, with a lateral flow test
- you have tested positive for the virus, even if you have no symptoms, with a PCR test
- you've been told by the NHS to self-isolate
How long should I self-isolate for?
Current rules mean if you test negative using lateral flow tests on day six and seven of isolation, with tests taken 24 hours apart, no longer have to self-isolate.
The first test must be taken no earlier than day six of the self-isolation period.
If you tested positive with no symptoms on a lateral flow, you don't need to take a PCR anymore, and this counts as day one of your isolation.
If you had symptoms and then tested positive on a lateral flow, your isolation began when you first noted symptoms.
But those who leave self-isolation on or after day seven are strongly advised to limit close contact with other people in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, work from home and minimise contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness.
Although new rules coming in on January 17, will mean people in England can leave isolation after five full days, if they test negative on day five and six.
If you test positive, your self-isolation period includes the day your symptoms started and the next seven full days – unless you keep testing positive.
But if you do not have symptoms, but have a positive test result, your period starts the day you had the test.
If you get symptoms after your test, you have to self-isolate for a further seven days from when your symptoms start (provided you test negative on day six and seven of the new time period)
If you didn't test negative from days six or seven, under previous guidance you can stop self-isolating after 10 days if either:
- you do not have any symptoms
- you just have a cough or changes to your sense of smell or taste – these can last for weeks after the infection has gone
Continue to keep self-isolating if:
- you feel unwell
- you have any of these symptoms: a high temperature or feeling hot and shivery, a runny nose or sneezing, feeling or being sick, diarrhoea. Only stop self-isolating when these symptoms have gone.
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
When do I need to self-isolate after holiday?
For a long time, there were self-isolation rules around travel abroad.
But a set of rules have now come into force following the emergence of Omicron.
If you are fully vaccinated and arrive in England from a country that is NOT on the red list, you:
- must quarantine at home or in the place you’re staying
- take a PCR test before the end of day two after you arrive (lateral flow tests will not be accepted)
- can end quarantine if your PCR test result is negative or 14 days have passed, whichever is first
If you are not fully vaccinated you must quarantine for 10 full days from the day after you arrive in England.
If you arrive in England from a red-list country, you must quarantine in a Government approved hotel and take two Covid tests. This applies to people who are fully vaccinated and unvaccinated.
Read more about the travel rules on the Government website.
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