When you can and can’t leave Covid isolation – after major rule change
SELF-ISOLATION rules have changed over the past month, so you’ll be forgiven for being confused.
It is a requirement to self-isolate when you test positive for Covid, or get symptoms, to stop the virus spreading further.
But in a glimmer of hope, the Covid-control strategy, which has been in place for almost two years, may soon be scrapped.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson told the House of Commons yesterday that from March 24 the legal requirement to isolate for people who test positive is likely to be shelved.
The PM even indicated this could happen sooner, if the data continues to look good.
Thousands of Brits are going into quarantine every day, with Covid rates still high as a result of the Omicron variant.
So are you able to leave self-isolation, during or earlier than the standard ten days?
And when are you exempt from isolating if someone in your house has the virus?
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We explain all the current rules.
How long do you need to self-isolate?
The standard self-isolation is ten full days.
It starts the first day after your symptoms began, or after you got a positive test result.
New rules
If you are unvaccinated, there is no option to leave quarantine early - you must always isolate for ten days.
For those who are vaccinated, they may have freedom much earlier based on their lateral flow test results.
In a change to self-isolation guidance from January 17, people in England can leave quarantine after five full days, so long as they test negative on days five and six.
But confusing detail means anyone isolating will actually have to do so for six, not five, days.
This is because the first full day of isolation is NOT the day you test positive or noticed symptoms - although you must still isolate following either of these events.
That day is now known as "day zero", with the next day counting as day one, the UK Health Security Agency confirmed.
An example timeline is as follows:
Monday = Day 0 (when you develop symptoms or get a positive test)
Tuesday = Day 1
Wednesday = Day 2
Thursday = Day 3
Friday = Day 4
Saturday = Day 5 - first lateral flow test
Sunday = Day 6 – second lateral flow test and if both are negative you can leave isolation
When you don’t need to self isolate
If you live with or have been in contact with someone with Covid, you will not need to self-isolate if any of the following apply:
- you're fully vaccinated – this means 14 days have passed since your final dose of an approved Covid-19 vaccine
- you're under 18 years old
- you're taking part or have taken part in an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
- you're not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons
However, if you live with someone with Covid you're strongly advised to do a lateral flow test every day for a week and avoid contact with high-risk people.
When you can go out during self-isolation
Self-isolation means you cannot leave your home under any circumstances - for work, school, to get food or exercise.
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You can order food online or ask someone to bring it to your home.
However, there are some instances where the NHS says you can temporarily leave self-isolation.
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These are to:
- post a PCR test or antibody test at a Royal Mail priority postbox
- get food or medicine if you cannot order it online or by phone, or you cannot ask someone to bring it to your home
- get urgent health services for you, your family and pets
- avoid harm, for example, if there is a fire or you are at risk of domestic abuse
- access services as a victim of crime, for example, if there has been a burglary
- help someone who is pregnant to go to a medical appointment, or to give birth
- go to the funeral of a close family member
- meet legal duties such as going to court, taking part in court proceedings, or following bail conditions
- take part in NHS Covid-19 research, but only if you're asked to leave self-isolation