As cases of Coronavirus are increasing it is important to understand when employees should self-isolate and when they need to get tested.
When to self-isolate
You must self-isolate immediately if:
- you have any symptoms of Coronavirus (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste)
- you’ve tested positive for Coronavirus
- you live with someone who has symptoms or tested positive
- someone in your support bubble has symptoms or tested positive
- you’re told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
- you arrive in the UK from a country with a high coronavirus risk
When to get a test
Get a test as soon as possible if you have any symptoms of Coronavirus.
The test needs to be done in the first 5 days of having symptoms.
How long to self-isolate
If you have symptoms or have tested positive for Coronavirus, you’ll usually need to self-isolate for at least 10 days.
You’ll need to self-isolate for 14 days if:
- someone you live with has symptoms or tested positive
- someone in your support bubble has symptoms or tested positive
- you’ve been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
If you’re told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace
Stay at home for 14 days
If you’re told to self-isolate because you’ve been in contact with a person who has Coronavirus:
- self-isolate for 14 days from the day you were last in contact with the person – as it can take up to 14 days for symptoms to appear
If you get symptoms of Coronavirus
If you get any symptoms of Coronavirus (a high temperature, a new, continuous cough or a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste) while you’re self-isolating:
- get a test to check if you have Coronavirus as soon as possible
- If you test negative keep self-isolating for the rest of the 14 days from when you were last in contact with the person who has Coronavirus
- If you test positive self-isolate for at least 10 days from when your symptoms started – even if it means you’re self-isolating for longer than 14 days
If you do not get symptoms of Coronavirus
If you do not get any symptoms of Coronavirus while self-isolating:
- you can stop self-isolating after 14 days
- you do not need to have a test
Please visit the links below if you’re not sure whether to self-isolate or get a test:
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/nhs-test-and-trace-how-it-works
