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The vast majority of Covid-19 restrictions have been lifted in the UK, but that doesn’t mean the virus is over.
The highly contagious BA.2 subfactor Omicron has recently caused a significant spike in infections, and while we are past the peak, the numbers are still high.
Governments are now placing more of the responsibility on personal responsibility, rather than ordering people to self-isolate if they have the virus.
Here are the current isolation rules and guidelines across the country, and when you can go outside again after contracting Covid.
England
The legal requirement to self-isolate when you contract Covid-19 has been removed in England.
People are no longer required to get tested after symptoms appear.
However, the NHS advises anyone showing symptoms, or testing positive for the virus, to stay home and avoid contact with other people.
If you test positive or you develop symptoms, the advice from the NHS is to take the following steps:
- Try to work from home if you can; If you can’t work from home, ask your employer what options are available to you.
- Stay home if you can; This helps reduce the number of people you communicate with
- Avoid contact with people who are at risk of contracting COVID-19, especially if their immune system means they are more likely to contract serious illness from COVID-19, even if they have been vaccinated
- Follow the tips on how to avoid spreading the virus to the people you live with
- Let people who need to enter your home know that you have tested positive or have symptoms; Then they can take steps to protect themselves, such as wearing a suitable face covering, staying away from you as much as possible, and washing their hands regularly
- Call your health care provider to report your test result or positive symptoms if you have been asked to attend an in-person dental or medical appointment.
- Ask your friends, family, or neighbors to bring you food or other essential items.
If you have Covid-19, you can transmit the virus to other people for up to 10 days from the beginning of your infection. Many people will not be contagious to others after five days.
Previously, people were advised to leave isolation after five full days if they tested negative two days in a row, or after 10 days if they continued to test positive.
You can continue to follow this advice if you wish, and have tests available.
Scotland
The legal requirement for self-isolation has also been removed in Scotland.
However, NHS Scotland says: “If you have symptoms you should immediately self-isolate and book a PCR test. If you test positive, you should self-isolate for 10 days from the date your symptoms started.”
welsh
Wales continues to advise people to get tested and self-isolate if they show symptoms of Covid, but the legal requirements have been scrapped.
The Welsh government continues to provide free lateral flow tests to people who show symptoms.
If you have any of the main symptoms of Covid-19, you should self-isolate and take a collateral flow test. You should avoid going to work while you are infected.
If the test result is negative, you can leave isolation immediately.
If the test result is positive, you must self-isolate for five full days. Day 1 is the day after symptoms start or the day after the test if you have no symptoms, whichever comes first.
You can be released from isolation on Day 6 if you test negative on Day 5 and Day 6, as long as you don’t have a high temperature.
If one of the tests is positive, you should continue to isolate and leave only after two consecutive days of negative tests, or on the tenth day, whichever comes first.
You can come out of isolation on the tenth day even if you are still positive.
Northern Ireland
If you have symptoms or have been diagnosed with Covid-19, you should self-isolate.
You should also book the side flow experience, which is still offered free of charge. PCR tests are no longer offered for free.
Isolation guidelines are the same as those used in Scotland and Wales, which means you must isolate for at least five full days and you can leave after two consecutive negative tests two days apart or 10 days apart, whichever comes first.
You can get out of isolation early by taking a test.
The first day of isolation is the day after symptoms start or the day after testing if you have no symptoms, whichever comes first.
You can be released from isolation on Day 6 if you test negative on Day 5 and Day 6, as long as you don’t have a high temperature.
If one of the tests is positive, you should continue to isolate and leave only after two consecutive days of negative tests, or on the tenth day, whichever comes first.
You can come out of isolation on the tenth day even if you are still positive.
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