Self-isolation for COVID-19
- Introduction
- When do I need to self-isolate?
- How long do I self-isolate for?
- What do I do after self-isolating?
Introduction
Self-isolation means staying at home and completely avoiding contact with other people.
You no longer need to restrict your movements, but you must self-isolate if you develop symptoms or test positive for COVID-19.
If you are at high risk from COVID-19, you should continue to follow public health advice to protect yourself from COVID-19 and use your own judgement to stay safe in public and crowded places.
When do I need to self-isolate?
You need to self-isolate if you have symptoms of COVID-19 or you get a positive COVID-19 test result (PCR or antigen).
Do I need to get tested for COVID-19?
Most people no longer need to get tested. Your GP or a healthcare worker will tell you if you need to take a test.
How long do I self-isolate for?
If you have tested positive for COVID-19 (PCR or antigen test), you should stay at home for 5 days from when your symptoms started. If you have no symptoms, stay at home for 5 days from the date of your test. You can leave home after 5 days if your symptoms have fully or mostly gone for the last 48 hours.
You should self-isolate as soon as you notice symptoms of COVID-19 or get a positive COVID-19 test result (PCR or antigen test).
If you have symptoms of COVID-19 and got a negative PCR or antigen test result or you did not take a test but have symptoms, you should self-isolate until 48 hours after your symptoms end.
If your child has COVID-19
If your child tests positive for COVID-19 or has symptoms, they need to isolate until both apply:
- They have not had a high temperature or other symptoms for 48 hours
- It’s been 3 days since they developed symptoms
Close contacts without symptoms
If you are a close contact of somebody who has COVID-19, look out for symptoms of COVID-19. Close contacts with no symptoms of COVID-19 do not need to self-isolate or restrict movements.
If you have been in close contact with someone with COVID-19, you do not need to test for COVID-19.
How to self-isolate
You should stay at home and completely avoid contact with other people.
If you have COVID-19 and have scheduled a COVID-19 vaccine or booster appointment, you should postpone this until after you have recovered. Check how long you should wait to get your vaccine after getting COVID-19.
What do I do after self-isolating?
When you stop self-isolating after 5 days, you should avoid contact with people at higher risk from COVID-19 for a further 5 days (10 days after testing positive).