What to Do if Family Member Tests Positive for Covid

1. What has changed

The self-isolation communication for people with coronavirus (COVID-19) has changed. Information technology is now possible to end cocky-isolation after 5 full days if yous accept 2 negative LFD tests taken on consecutive days. The start LFD examination should not be taken before the fifth solar day afterwards your symptoms started (or the 24-hour interval your test was taken if you did not have symptoms). The self-isolation period remains 10 full days for those without negative results from 2 LFD tests taken a day apart.

2. Who this guidance is for

This guidance is for:

people with symptoms that may be acquired by COVID-xix, including those who are waiting for a COVID-19 test effect
people who accept received a positive COVID-nineteen LFD or PCR test result (whether or not they have symptoms)
people who currently alive in the same household as someone with COVID-19 symptoms, or with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 past LFD or PCR exam

In this guidance a household means:

one person living lone
a group of people (who may or may non exist related) living at the aforementioned accost and who share cooking facilities, bathrooms or toilets, or living areas – this may include students in boarding schools or halls of residence who share such facilities
a group of people who share a nomadic manner of life for example those who live on Traveller sites, in vehicles or on canal boats

Follow separate guidance if y'all have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 merely do not currently live in the same household as them.

If you take arrived in England from overseas you may also need to cocky-isolate, but should follow separate guidance on travelling to England from another state during COVID-19.

This guidance applies in England.

3. Symptoms

The main symptoms of COVID-19 are contempo onset of whatever of the post-obit:

a new continuous cough
a high temperature
a loss of, or change in, your normal sense of taste or smell (anosmia)

For most people, COVID-19 volition be a mild illness. However, if you have whatever of the symptoms listed above, even if your symptoms are balmy, stay at home and arrange to have a test. You do not demand to have a PCR test if you have already taken an LFD examination and the result was positive.

In that location are several other symptoms linked with COVID-19. These symptoms may accept another cause and are not on their ain a reason to take a COVID-19 PCR examination. If yous are concerned about your symptoms, seek medical advice.

If you accept received one or more than doses of COVID-19 vaccine and take whatever of the main symptoms of COVID-nineteen or have received a positive LFD or PCR test result, y'all should still follow this guidance. This is considering it is even so possible to become COVID-19 and spread it to others, even if y'all are vaccinated.

4. Tests for COVID-19

There are 2 chief types of exam currently beingness used to detect if someone has COVID-nineteen:

polymerase concatenation reaction (PCR) tests
lateral catamenia device (LFD) antigen tests – also known every bit rapid lateral period tests

iv.1 PCR tests

PCR tests notice the RNA (ribonucleic acid, the genetic material) of a virus. It takes some time to become the results considering PCR tests are normally processed in a laboratory.

PCR tests are the best way to diagnose COVID-19 infection in people who have symptoms and who besides may require treatment. If you have any of the chief symptoms of COVID-xix, yous should arrange to take a PCR test.

four.2 LFD tests

LFD tests detect proteins in the coronavirus and work in a similar way to a pregnancy exam. They are reliable, simple and quick to use and are very good at identifying people who have loftier levels of coronavirus and are most likely to pass on infection to others. When rates of infection are high, it is very likely that people with a positive LFD examination result have COVID-xix.

LFD tests can be taken past people at home (self-reported tests) or under the supervision of a trained operator who processes the test, reads, and reports the result (assisted tests). LFD tests are mainly used in people who do not have symptoms of COVID-19. If you accept an LFD test and the result is positive, you should report the outcome and follow this guidance.

You do not need to take a follow-up PCR test, unless:

you wish to claim the Test and Trace Back up Payment – to merits the Test and Trace Support Payment, y'all must have tested positive for COVID-19 following a PCR test or an assisted LFD test
you have received an email or letter from the NHS because of a health condition that means y'all may exist suitable for new COVID-19 treatments – if this applies to you and you develop any COVID-nineteen symptoms, y'all should use the PCR test kit that was sent to you in the postal service for this purpose; if you have not received a PCR test kit you can adjust to have a PCR exam
you are taking LFD tests as part of research or surveillance programmes, and the programme asks you to take a follow-upwards PCR test
you lot have a positive 24-hour interval 2 LFD exam effect after you arrive in England

If your LFD test result is positive yous may continue to develop symptoms in the next few days. If you develop any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 and yous are concerned, or your symptoms are worsening, contact 111 or speak to your GP. In an emergency punch 999.

5. If you accept COVID-19 symptoms or a positive LFD or PCR test result

If you develop whatever of the primary symptoms of COVID-xix, stay at home and cocky-isolate immediately.

If yous have a positive LFD or PCR test result but do not have whatsoever of the main symptoms of COVID-19, stay at home and cocky-isolate every bit shortly as you receive the results. You should do this even if y'all have received one or more doses of COVID-nineteen vaccine.

Other people in your household might need to self-isolate too. Please see section below for data on what the other members of your household need to practise.

five.1 Society a PCR examination if you have whatever of the main symptoms of COVID-19

If y'all accept any of the master symptoms of COVID-nineteen, suit to take a PCR exam by ordering it online or by calling 119. You do not need to take a PCR test if yous have already taken an LFD test and the result was positive.

You should stay at home while yous are waiting for a home test kit, a test site appointment or a examination result. You can leave your home in a few specific circumstances, but do non get to work, school, or public areas and practise not use public send or taxis. Run into the circumstances in which you can exit dwelling.

If you need to exit your dwelling house to go to a test site, wear a well-fitting face covering fabricated with multiple layers, stay at least 2 metres apart from other people who you exercise not alive with, and render abode immediately afterward.

5.2 Stay at home and self-isolate

Stay at home and cocky-isolate if y'all have any of the chief symptoms of COVID-19 or if you have a positive LFD or PCR test result. Self-isolation volition help protect your family unit, friends and the wider customs by reducing the take chances that you lot will pass the infection on to others.

Your self-isolation period starts immediately from when your symptoms started, or, if yous do non have any symptoms, from when your positive LFD or PCR test was taken, whichever test was taken offset. Your cocky-isolation period includes the twenty-four hours your symptoms started (or the day your exam was taken if you do not accept symptoms), and the adjacent 10 full days. Information technology may be possible to end your self-isolation earlier (see beneath).

This means that if, for example, your symptoms started at any fourth dimension on the 15th of the month (or if you did not have symptoms but your first positive COVID-xix examination was taken on the 15th), your cocky-isolation catamenia ends at 23:59hrs on the 25th of the calendar month.

You tin can render to your normal routine and stop self-isolating after ten total days if your symptoms have gone, or if the only symptoms you take are a cough or anosmia, which can last for several weeks. If you still have a high temperature after 10 days or are otherwise unwell, stay at domicile and seek medical advice.

Yous may be able to end your cocky-isolation menstruum before the end of the 10 full days. Y'all can take an LFD test from five days after the day your symptoms started (or the day your examination was taken if you did not have symptoms), and another LFD test on the following twenty-four hour period. If both these test results are negative, and you practice non accept a high temperature, you may end your cocky-isolation after the 2nd negative exam upshot.

Report your LFD examination results after taking each test.

Y'all should not take an LFD test earlier the fifth day of your cocky-isolation menses, and you should only end your cocky-isolation after you have had 2 negative LFD tests taken on consecutive days. You should finish testing afterward you take had 2 sequent negative test results.

This guidance also applies to children and young people who usually attend an teaching or childcare setting.

Y'all will exist unable to use either your domestic or travel NHS COVID Laissez passer for 10 days post-obit a positive test event.

Examples of when to end cocky-isolation if you have had COVID-19 symptoms or have received a positive COVID-nineteen exam outcome

This ways that if, for case, your symptoms started at whatsoever time on the 15th of the month (or if you did not have symptoms simply your first positive COVID-19 test was taken on the 15th), you may have daily LFD tests from the 20th of the month. If your LFD test results are negative on the 20th and 21st, and you practise not accept a loftier temperature, you may terminate your self-isolation period afterward the negative test result on the 21st of the month.

If both your LFD test results are negative, information technology is likely that you were not infectious at the time the tests were taken. To farther reduce the take chances of passing COVID-19 on to others, if you lot terminate your self-isolation period earlier 10 full days you are strongly advised to:

limit close contact with other people outside your household, specially in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces
piece of work from dwelling if y'all are able to
wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and where yous are in shut contact with other people
limit contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19
follow the guidance on how to stay safe and assist prevent the spread of COVID-19

Yous should follow this communication until x total days from when your self-isolation menses started.

Y'all exercise not need to accept any more LFD tests after the tenth mean solar day of your self-isolation flow and you may stop self-isolating later this twenty-four hour period. This is because y'all are unlikely to be infectious after the 10th mean solar day of your self-isolation flow. Fifty-fifty if y'all have a positive LFD exam event on the 10th day of your cocky-isolation period yous do not need to take any more LFD tests after this day and you do not need a follow-up PCR test. If you are concerned you may choose to limit close contact with other people, especially those who are at higher take chances of severe illness until fourteen days later on the start of your self-isolation menstruation.

There is additional guidance for those working in health and social intendance settings.

If y'all are self-isolating because of a positive test upshot but did not accept whatever symptoms, and yous develop COVID-nineteen symptoms within your self-isolation menses, you practise not demand to showtime a new self-isolation menses.

If you develop COVID-nineteen symptoms at any point after catastrophe your first period of self-isolation you and your household should follow the steps in this guidance once more.

Most people with COVID-xix will feel a mild illness. Seek prompt medical attention if your illness or the illness of someone in your household is worsening.

Stay as far away from other members of your household as possible. Wherever possible, avert using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat. Article of clothing a confront roofing or a surgical mask when spending fourth dimension in shared areas inside your dwelling.

Take practise within your home, garden or private outdoor space. Follow the general communication to reduce the spread of the infection within your household.

It may be difficult for some people to separate themselves from others in their household. Not all these measures will be possible if you are living with children or have caring responsibilities, but follow this guidance to the best of your power in these circumstances.

If you receive a request by text, email or phone to log into the NHS Test and Trace service website you should practice this. Y'all volition be asked virtually when your symptoms started. Y'all should provide this data because information technology volition exist used to place who has been in contact with you while y'all accept been infectious.

Yous volition be asked near your contempo contacts so that they tin can be given public health communication. They will not be told your identity. It is very of import that you provide this information, as it will play a vital office in helping to protect your family, friends and the wider customs.

v.iii Visitors to your household

If you take symptoms of COVID-19, or a positive LFD or PCR test result, do not invite or allow social visitors to enter your domicile, including friends and family. If y'all want to speak to someone who is non a member of your household, utilize the phone, email or social media.

If you or a family member receive essential care in your habitation, carers should continue to visit and follow the provision of home intendance guidance to reduce the gamble of infection.

All non-essential in-firm services and repairs should be postponed until the self-isolation menses is completed. Delivery drivers should not come into your home, then make sure you ask them to go out items exterior for drove.

5.4 If you have a negative COVID-19 PCR test result later on being tested because you had symptoms of COVID-19

If your PCR exam result is negative but you still accept symptoms, y'all may have another viral illness such as a common cold, flu or a stomach bug. You should stay at home until yous feel well and for at least 2 more than days if y'all accept had diarrhoea or vomiting. Seek medical attention if yous are concerned most your symptoms.

Yous tin can cease self-isolating unless you take been advised by NHS Examination and Trace that yous are legally required to self-isolate. Anyone in your household who is cocky-isolating because of your symptoms can likewise cease self-isolating.

5.5 If you accept a negative follow-upwards PCR exam result afterward a positive LFD test result

LFD tests are mainly used in people who practice not have symptoms of COVID-xix. If yous accept an LFD test and the outcome is positive, you do non demand to take a follow-upward PCR test, unless y'all take been advised to for specific reasons.

If you practise take a follow-upwards PCR test for one of these reasons and the result is negative, yous are no longer required to cocky-isolate. While infection rates are high there is withal a adventure you are infectious, and you are brash to:

limit close contact with other people outside your household, especially in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces
work from abode if y'all are able to
wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and where y'all are in close contact with other people
limit contact with anyone who is at college risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19
follow the guidance on how to stay safe and assistance prevent the spread of COVID-xix

You should follow this communication until 10 full days from your positive LFD examination event.

If you develop any of the principal symptoms of COVID-19 you should self-isolate and follow this guidance again.

v.6 Testing afterward your self-isolation catamenia has ended

If you have previously had COVID-xix, you lot will probably have developed some immunity to the disease. However, information technology cannot be guaranteed that everyone volition develop immunity, or how long it will last. Information technology is as well possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time subsequently the period of active COVID-19 infection.

If you lot take previously received a positive COVID-19 test result, you are advised not to take another PCR test within ninety days of this event unless:

y'all develop whatsoever new chief symptoms of COVID-19
you are required to take a PCR test for travel into or out of the Great britain
you are advised to take a follow-up PCR examination after a positive LFD test

If you have a positive PCR examination result inside 90 days of a previous positive exam consequence you must stay at home, self-isolate and follow the steps in this guidance again.

If it is more than than 90 days since you lot tested positive by PCR for COVID-nineteen, and you have new symptoms of COVID-nineteen, or a positive PCR test, follow the steps in this guidance once again.

6. If you alive in the same household every bit someone with COVID-19

Follow dissever guidance if you have had contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 merely do not currently live in the same household every bit them.

Anyone who has any of the principal symptoms of COVID-nineteen should stay at habitation and, cocky-isolate immediately. They should club a PCR test unless they have already taken an LFD exam and the consequence was positive.

If you do not have symptoms of COVID-nineteen and alive in the aforementioned household every bit someone with COVID-19, you are legally required to cocky-isolate unless you meet whatsoever of the following conditions:

you are fully vaccinated – fully vaccinated means you have had two doses of an canonical vaccine such as Pfizer BioNTech, AstraZeneca or Spikevax (formerly Moderna); you are likewise fully vaccinated if you have had one dose of the single-dose Janssen vaccine
yous are aged under 18 years
you have taken part in or are currently function of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial
yous are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons

If you meet any of these 4 conditions (and are therefore not legally required to self-isolate), follow the guidance farther down for contacts who are not legally required to self-isolate.

If you are 18 years old you lot will be treated in the same way equally those nether 18 upwards until the age of 18 years and 6 months, to allow you time to go fully vaccinated.

6.i Household contacts who are required to cocky-isolate

If yous take been notified past NHS Examination and Trace considering you alive in the same household as someone with COVID-19, and you are anile over 18 years and not fully vaccinated, y'all are legally required to self-isolate. This does non apply if you have taken part in or are currently part of an approved COVID-nineteen vaccine trial or you are non able to get vaccinated for medical reasons. Do not get to work, school, or public areas and exercise not use public transport or taxis.

Your self-isolation period includes the day the first person in your household'due south symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days. This means that if, for example, your 10 day self-isolation period starts on the 15th of the month, your self-isolation menstruation ends at 23:59 hrs on the 25th and you can render to your normal routine.

You may be entitled to a payment of £500 from your local dominance under the Examination and Trace Back up Payment scheme. If you lot are the parent or guardian of a kid who has been told to self-isolate, you may likewise be entitled to this payment.

Failure to comply with self-isolation may result in a fine, starting from £1,000. Parents or guardians are legally responsible for ensuring that anyone nether xviii cocky-isolates if they test positive for COVID-19 and are contacted by NHS Examination and Trace and told to cocky-isolate.

6.1.1 Take a PCR examination

You are brash to take a single PCR examination as soon equally possible while you are self-isolating. You should take this PCR test because you are at a higher take chances of being infected. The results of the PCR exam volition aid NHS Test and Trace contact people who may have caught the virus from yous and advise them on what to do.

If your PCR test result during your self-isolation menstruum is negative, yous must go on to self-isolate equally you could however become infectious and pass the infection on to others. Stay at home for the full 10 days to avoid putting others at gamble.

If your PCR exam result is positive, follow the advice for people with COVID-19 to stay at home. Yous must start a new self-isolation period, regardless of where yous are in your original x twenty-four hour period self-isolation period. This means that your total self-isolation menstruation may exist longer than 10 days.

If yous accept previously tested positive for COVID-xix, you will probably accept developed some immunity to the disease. Nevertheless, it cannot be guaranteed that everyone will develop amnesty, or how long it will last. It is possible for PCR tests to remain positive for some time subsequently COVID-nineteen infection.

If y'all have previously received a positive COVID-nineteen test upshot inside the final 90 days and yous are identified equally a contact of someone with COVID-xix you should not have a PCR test unless you lot develop any of the primary symptoms of COVID-19.

6.1.2 If you develop symptoms while y'all are cocky-isolating equally a contact

If you live in the same household as someone with COVID-nineteen and you develop any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 while yous are self-isolating, you should arrange to have a COVID-xix PCR exam. If your test upshot is positive, follow the advice for people with COVID-19 to stay at home. You must starting time a new cocky-isolation period. This begins when your symptoms started, regardless of where you are in your original 10 twenty-four hours cocky-isolation period. This means that your full self-isolation menstruation may be longer than 10 days.

If this PCR examination result is negative, you must continue to cocky-isolate as y'all could still become infectious and pass the infection on to others. Stay at abode for the full 10 days to avert putting others at risk.

If other household members develop symptoms during this menses, you do not need to isolate for longer than 10 days.

6.2 Household contacts who are not required to cocky-isolate

If y'all alive in the same household as someone with COVID-nineteen you are at significantly college risk of becoming infected yourself.

If you lot are fully vaccinated or anile under xviii years, and you lot live in the aforementioned household every bit someone with COVID-19, yous are not legally required to self-isolate. You are also not legally required to self-isolate if yous have taken office in or are currently part of an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial or you are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons.

COVID-19 vaccines reduce the risk of you becoming severely sick if you take hold of COVID-19. If you are vaccinated confronting COVID-19 you may still catch it and laissez passer it on to others, even if you do not take whatever symptoms.

LFD tests are very good at identifying people who have high levels of coronavirus and are nigh probable to pass on infection to others, fifty-fifty if you practise not have symptoms. You are therefore strongly brash to have daily LFD tests during the period you are at highest risk of becoming infected yourself.

If you are anile 5 years and over and live in the aforementioned household as someone with COVID-xix, and are not legally required to self-isolate, y'all are strongly advised to:

take an LFD test every solar day for vii days, or until ten days after the household member who has COVID-nineteen started their self-isolation period if this is before
take this daily LFD examination earlier you lot leave your home for the first time that 24-hour interval
report your LFD examination results after taking each test – reporting positive LFD examination results means that NHS Test and Trace can go far touch with your contacts and suggest them on what to do; reporting negative LFD test results helps the states empathize more about the spread of COVID-19

If you have an LFD test and the outcome is positive, yous should immediately self-isolate to preclude you from passing the infection on to other people and follow the advice for people who have COVID-nineteen. You do non need to accept a follow-up PCR test unless y'all have been advised to for specific reasons.

If your daily LFD examination outcome is negative, information technology is probable that you were not infectious at the time the test was taken. To further reduce the chance of passing COVID-xix on to others, you are strongly advised to:

limit shut contact with other people outside your household, peculiarly in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces
work from dwelling if you are able to
wear a face up covering in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces and where you are in close contact with other people
limit contact with anyone who is at higher chance of severe illness if infected with COVID-19
follow the guidance on how to stay safety and help foreclose the spread of COVID-19

If you are unable to have a daily LFD examination then you are nonetheless strongly brash to follow this communication to reduce the chance of passing COVID-19 on to others.

Follow this communication until the household member who has COVID-19 reaches the finish of their self-isolation menstruum.

If you are a wellness or social care worker who has been identified every bit a household contact and are exempt from self-isolation, there is additional guidance available that you should follow to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19 in these settings.

Children and young people aged nether 18 years who usually attend an education or childcare setting and who take been identified as a close contact should continue to nourish the setting as normal.

Regular LFD tests are not recommended for children anile nether 5. If they live with someone who has COVID-xix they are not legally required to self-isolate but you should limit their contact with anyone who is at higher risk of astringent illness if infected with COVID-19 and arrange for them to accept a PCR test as before long every bit possible.

If you develop symptoms at whatever fourth dimension, even if these are mild, stay at abode and self-isolate immediately, arrange to have a COVID-19 PCR examination and follow the guidance for people with COVID-19 symptoms.

7. Reducing the spread of COVID-nineteen in your household

vii.1 How COVID-19 is spread

COVID-19 spreads from person to person through small aerosol, aerosols and through direct contact. Surfaces and belongings can besides be contaminated with COVID-19 when people with the infection cough or sneeze or touch them. The risk of spread is greatest when people are close to each other, specially in poorly ventilated indoor spaces and when people spend a lot of time together in the same room.

Keeping your distance, washing your hands and practiced respiratory hygiene (using and disposing of tissues), cleaning surfaces and keeping indoor spaces well ventilated are the most important ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19.

People who have COVID-xix tin can infect others from around 2 days earlier symptoms start, and for upwardly to 10 days later. They can pass the infection to others, even if they have mild symptoms or no symptoms at all, which is why they must stay at habitation.

People who live in the aforementioned household as someone with COVID-nineteen are at higher run a risk of developing COVID-19. They could spread the disease to others fifty-fifty when feeling well.

seven.two How to limit close contact with others in the household if y'all have COVID-xix

Spend as piffling time as possible in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas. Avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present and take your meals back to your room to eat. Observe strict social distancing.

Ask the people you lot live with to help by bringing your meals to your door, helping with cleaning and by giving you lot space.

Employ a carve up bathroom from the rest of the household where possible. If a dissever bathroom is non available, effort and use the facilities last, before cleaning the bathroom using your usual cleaning products. The bathroom should be cleaned regularly.

You should use separate towels from other household members, both for drying yourself subsequently bathing or showering and for drying your easily. Keep your room well-ventilated by opening a window to the outside.

Utilize a well-plumbing fixtures face roofing made with multiple layers, or a surgical mask when spending time in shared areas inside your home to minimise the chance of spread to others. Used correctly, they may aid to protect others past reducing the transmission of COVID-19 merely they practise not supplant the demand to limit your contact with other household members.

Following expert clinical advice and the successful rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine programme, people previously considered to be clinically extremely vulnerable are no longer being advised to shield. Some people are notwithstanding at higher gamble of severe illness if infected with COVID-19 and may have been advised by their wellness professional to consider taking boosted precautions. If someone in the household has been advised to take such precautions, such every bit maintaining distance from others, they should be supported to do then.

vii.3 Things you tin can practice to reduce the spread of COVID-19 in your household

GermDefence is a website that can assistance y'all identify ways to protect yourself and others in your household from COVID-19. It provides scientifically proven communication on reducing the risks from COVID-xix and other viruses in your home.

GermDefence is easy to employ and merely takes ten minutes to identify actions and brand a plan on how to protect yourself. GermDefence is also available in a range of different languages.

Everyone should besides take the following steps to reduce the spread of infection inside their household. Please also refer to the accompanying illustrated guide to reducing household transmission.

7.3.1 Wash your hands

This is an important way to reduce the take chances of communicable COVID-19 or passing it on to others. Wash your hands with lather and h2o for 20 seconds or utilize manus sanitiser, particularly later coughing, sneezing and bravado your nose and before you eat or handle food. Make clean your hands frequently and avoid touching your face.

7.iii.2 Comprehend coughs and sneezes

Encompass your oral cavity and nose with disposable tissues when y'all coughing or sneeze. If you practise not have a tissue, cough or sneeze into the crook of your elbow, not into your hand.

Dispose of tissues into a rubbish bag and immediately launder your hands. If yous have a carer, they should use disposable tissues to wipe abroad whatever mucus or phlegm subsequently you lot have sneezed or coughed and then wash or sanitise their easily.

7.3.3 Clean your home to reduce spread of infection

Regularly clean frequently touched surfaces, such every bit door handles and remote controls, and shared areas such every bit kitchens and bathrooms.

Use standard household cleaning products similar detergents and bleach to clean your domicile as these are very effective at getting rid of the virus on surfaces. Make clean shared bathrooms each fourth dimension they are used, especially the surfaces you accept touched, using your usual bath cleaning products.

Cleaning cloths and personal waste such equally used tissues and dispensable face up coverings should be stored in dispensable rubbish bags. These bags should exist placed into another handbag, tied deeply and put aside for at least 72 hours before being put in your usual external household waste bin. Other household waste product can be disposed of as normal.

Utilize a dishwasher to clean and dry your crockery and cutlery. If this is not possible, launder them by hand using washing upwardly liquid and warm h2o and dry out thoroughly using a split up tea towel.

7.three.4 Laundry

To reduce the possibility of spreading the virus through the air, do not shake dirty laundry. Launder items in accord with the manufacturer's instructions. All dingy laundry tin can be washed in the aforementioned load. If yous do not have a washing auto, expect a farther 72 hours afterward your self-isolation has ended when you can then take the laundry to a public launderette.

Do non share towels, including hand towels and tea towels.

vii.three.5 Ventilate indoor areas

If someone is self-isolating, keep a window slightly open in their room and keep the door closed to reduce the spread of contaminated air to other parts of the household. If the person that is self-isolating needs to employ any shared space in the home, such as the kitchen or other living areas while others are present, keep these spaces well ventilated, for example by opening windows while the person who is self-isolating is in the shared space, and for a brusque period afterward they take left.

Go out extractor fans (for example in bathrooms) running for longer than usual with the door closed after use.

7.4 Caring for pets

COVID-19 in the UK is spread between humans. In that location is express show that some animals, including pets, can become infected with SARS-CoV-2 (the virus that causes COVID-xix) following shut contact with infected humans.

Pet owners who have COVID-xix or who are self-isolating with symptoms should restrict contact with pets and wash their hands thoroughly before and subsequently interacting with their pet.

8. Looking after your health and wellbeing

eight.1 Looking after your mental and physical wellbeing while staying at domicile

Staying at dwelling and cocky-isolating for a prolonged period can be difficult, frustrating and lonely for some people and you lot or other household members may feel low. It tin be particularly challenging if you practice not have much space or access to a garden.

Remember to take intendance of your mind as well every bit your body and go support if yous need it.

Every Heed Matters provides simple tips and advice to take ameliorate care of your mental health, including a COVID-19 hub with advice for those staying at home.

Many people find information technology helpful to remind themselves why what they are doing is and so important. Past staying at home, you lot are helping to protect your friends and family, other people in your community and the NHS.

Things that you can do to help brand staying at home easier:

keep in bear on with friends and family over the phone or through social media
remember that concrete exercise tin can be practiced for your wellbeing. Look for online classes or courses that tin can help you take calorie-free exercise in your home
plan ahead and think about what you will demand to be able to stay at home for the full duration
ask your employer, friends and family for assist to access the things y'all will need while staying at home
recall about and plan how yous can get food and other supplies, such as medication, that y'all will need during this menses
bank check if your neighbourhood or local community has a volunteer organisation that could aid bring you supplies or provide other back up
ask friends or family to drop off anything you demand or gild supplies online or by phone, making sure these are left outside your home for you to collect
recall about things you lot can do during your time at home such as cooking, reading, online learning and watching films
many people discover it helpful to plan out the full ten days. You may too notice it helpful to programme in advance what you will do if, for example, someone in your household were to feel much worse

If you lot need assistance for a mental wellness crisis, emergency or breakdown, seek immediate advice and assessment. Even during the COVID-19 pandemic, urgent mental health support is bachelor to adults and children around the clock. Notice your local NHS helpline by searching for your postcode or habitation town in a new service finder.

viii.2 If you lot demand medical communication

Wellness and care services remain open to help people with all health weather, including COVID-19. Nearly people with COVID-19 will experience a mild affliction which tin be managed at home. Find out more than about managing the symptoms of COVID-19 at home.

All routine medical and dental appointments should exist cancelled while you lot are staying at home. If y'all are concerned or have been asked to nourish in person during this time, discuss this with your medical contact start (for example, your GP or dentist, local hospital or outpatient service).

Seek prompt medical attention if your disease or the affliction of someone in your household is worsening. If it is non an emergency, contact the NHS 111 online COVID-19 service or NHS 111 for other health conditions. If yous have no internet access, call NHS 111.

If information technology is a medical emergency and you need to call an ambulance, dial 999. Inform the call handler or operator that yous or someone in your household has COVID-xix or symptoms if that is the example.

9. Fiscal or other practical support

9.1 Financial support

Self-isolation is ane of the most of import things we can exercise to help stop the spread of the virus and protect our friends and family, our community and the NHS. If you have symptoms of COVID-19, have received a positive examination result, or accept been told you are a contact with someone who has, self-isolation is the but way to guarantee you lot won't pass COVID-19 to others. If you lot are told to self-isolate, you should do and so straight away Find out what support yous can get if you're affected by COVID-19.

If yous can, ask friends, family or neighbours to become out and become food and other essentials for you lot. If you practice not have others to help you, there may be charities or community groups who can help in your expanse or your local shops, markets and wholesalers may offering a delivery service (past phone or by email).

The NHS Volunteer Responders programme is still available to help back up those who demand it. Volunteers can collect and deliver shopping, medication and other essential supplies and can too provide a regular friendly phone telephone call. Call 0808 196 3646 betwixt 8am and 8pm, 7 days a calendar week to self-refer or visit NHS Volunteer Responders for further data. There may also exist other voluntary or community services in your local area that y'all can access for support.

If yous are unable to work due to COVID-19, see guidance from the Department for Work and Pensions to find out nearly support bachelor to you. You may exist entitled to a one-off payment of £500 through the NHS Test and Trace Support Payment scheme if you are required to stay at habitation and self-isolate. If yous are the parent or guardian of a child who has been told to self-isolate, you may also be entitled to this support payment. You lot can apply for the NHS Examination and Trace Support Payment online or through the NHS COVID-19 app.

You will be eligible for this payment if y'all live in England and y'all have had a positive assisted LFD or PCR test result, NHS Test and Trace has told you to self-isolate, or the NHS COVID-nineteen app has advised you to self-isolate.

You will also exist required to meet all the post-obit criteria:

y'all are employed or self-employed
yous cannot work from habitation and will lose income as a result
you are claiming at least 1 of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Working Revenue enhancement Credits
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
- Income Back up
- Pension Credit or Housing Benefit

Visit your local authority's website for more information on the help and support that is available to you lot.

9.2 Additional support for those who lead a nomadic way of life

People who alive on a traveller site, in a vehicle or on a culvert boat may require additional back up.

Allow your site director or local Gypsy and Traveller liaison squad know if you lot need further support. If you are living on a river or canal, observe out what communication is beingness offered by the organization who manages the waterway you live on, as this varies for each ane. Endeavour to communicate by phone as much equally possible to prevent spreading the virus to farther contacts.

If you lot lack access to basic facilities such every bit water, sanitation and waste disposal to help with self-isolation, contact your local authority for assistance. They may be able to provide you with additional facilities or make alternative stopping places bachelor.

The prevailing laws against unauthorised encampments or unauthorised development remain in place.

Waste material should continue to be disposed of through authorised and legal means. Guidance for local regime on re-opening or keeping household waste product and recycling centres open is bachelor. If y'all demand further advice, contact your local dominance.

If yous are stopping or cruising in rural or isolated areas, take notation of your location if you lot moor or pull up, particularly if y'all are feeling unwell. You can too use the what3words app if there is a medical emergency and you need services to come to you.

9.3 If you are breastfeeding

If you have symptoms of COVID-19, have tested positive or are living in a household with someone who has COVID-19, you may be concerned about the infection spreading to your baby if you are breastfeeding.

The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any potential risks of manual of the virus through chest milk or by being in shut contact, notwithstanding, this will be an private conclusion. Talk to your midwife, wellness visitor or GP by telephone.

At that place is currently no evidence to suggest that the COVID-19 virus can be transmitted through breast milk. However, COVID-19 infection can be passed on to a infant in the same fashion as it can to anyone in close contact with y'all. The electric current evidence is that children with COVID-19 get much less severe symptoms than adults. If you or a family member are feeding with formula or expressed milk, sterilise the equipment carefully before each use. You lot should not share bottles or a breast pump with someone else.

9.four People with learning disabilities, autism or serious mental illnesses

Not all these measures will be possible if you, or those yous live with, have conditions such as learning disabilities, autism or serious mental illnesses. Follow this guidance to the best of your ability, while keeping yourself and those close to you lot condom and well, ideally in line with any existing care plans.

An easy read version of this guidance is as well bachelor.

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Source: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection