Guidance on Self-isolating During COVID-19 Pandemic

When self-isolating, follow the:

• stay at home guidance for people with suspected or confirmed COVID-19
• stay at home guidance for non-household contacts of people with confirmed COVID-19

This will help reduce the risk of spreading COVID-19 to other members of your household and community. In both cases you must isolate at all times and not have contact with other people. There are only very limited circumstances when you do not have to do this, such as seeking medical assistance. If you do leave your home during your period of self-isolation for a permitted reason, you should maintain social distancing, keep 2 metres apart from other people, and wear a face covering where possible.

You may be entitled to a one-off payment of £500 through the NHS Test and Trace Support Payment scheme if you are required to stay at home and self-isolate, or you are the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate. You should visit your local authority website for information on Test and Trace Support Payments and other practical support offered in your area including help accessing food. If you require prescription medication there is a medicine delivery service available through pharmacies and dispensing GPs.

You could be fined if you do not self-isolate after being told to by NHS Test and Trace.

Self-isolation exemptions

You’re not required to self-isolate if you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, or are a close contact of someone with COVID-19, and any of the following apply:

• you’re fully vaccinated
• you’re below the age of 18 years and 6 months
• you’ve taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
• you’re not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons

If you are aged 5 years and over and have been identified as a contact of someone with COVID-19, and you are not legally required to self-isolate, you are now strongly advised to:

• take a lateral flow test every day for 7 days
• take this daily lateral flow test before you leave your home for the first time that day

If any of these lateral flow tests are positive, you should immediately self-isolate in order to protect other people.

NHS Test and Trace will contact you to let you know that you have been identified as a contact and check whether you are legally required to self-isolate.

If you have previously received a positive COVID-19 PCR test result, you are not usually advised to be re-tested within 90 days of this result.

However, you should have a PCR test within 90 days of a previous positive PCR test if you develop any new symptoms of COVID-19 or you are required to take a PCR test upon entry into the UK.

If you are tested within 90 days of a positive PCR test result for either of these reasons, and the PCR test result is positive, you must self-isolate and follow the stay at home guidance.

You can find further guidance for household contacts and guidance for non-household contacts of people with confirmed COVID-19 infections.