Staying at home can help stop coronavirus spreading

You'll need to stay at home if you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) or live with someone who does.

Staying at home means you should:

Not go to work, school or public areas

Not use public transport or taxis

Not have visitors, such as friends and family, in your home

Not go out to buy food or collect medicine – order them by phone or online, or ask someone else to drop them off at your home

You can use your garden, if you have one. You can also leave the house to exercise – but stay at least 2 metres away from other people.

Information:

If you're not sure if you need to stay at home

How long to stay at home

If you have symptoms

If you have symptoms of coronavirus, you'll need to stay at home for 7 days.

After 7 days:

If  you do not have a high temperature, you do not need to stay at home

If you still have a high temperature, stay at home until your temperature returns to normal

You do not need to stay at home if you just have a cough after 7 days. A cough can last for several weeks after the infection has gone.

If you live with someone who has symptoms

If you live with someone who has symptoms, you'll need to stay at home for 14 days from the day their symptoms started. This is because it can take 14 days for symptoms to appear.

If more than 1 person at home has symptoms, stay at home for 14 days from the day the first person started having symptoms.

If you get symptoms, stay at home for 7 days from when your symptoms start, even if it means you're at home for longer than 14 days.

If you do not get symptoms, you can stop staying at home after 14 days.

Get an isolation note to give to your employer

If you live with someone who has symptoms of coronavirus, you can get an isolation note to send to your employer as proof you need to stay off work.

You do not need to get a note from a GP.

Get an isolation note

Information:

If you have symptoms of coronavirus and need to stay at home.

If you have symptoms and live with a vulnerable person

If you live with someone who is 70 or over, has a long-term condition, is pregnant or has a weakened immune system, try to arrange for them to stay with friends or family for 14 days.

If you have to stay at home together, try to keep away from each other as much as possible.

What should you do? 

Try to keep 2 metres (3 steps) away from each other

Avoid using shared spaces, such as kitchens or bathrooms, at the same time as each other

Open windows in shared spaces if you can

Clean a shared bathroom each time you use it, for example by wiping the surfaces you have touched

Use a dishwasher if you have one – if you do not have one, use washing-up liquid and warm water and dry everything thoroughly

What should not you do? 

Do not share a bed, if possible

Do not share towels, including hand towels and tea towels

Reducing the spread of infection in your home

While you're staying at home, you should:

Wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds

Use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available

Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

Put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards

Clean objects and surfaces you touch often (like door handles, kettles and phones) using your regular cleaning products

How to do your cleaning and laundry?

Use your usual household products, such as detergents and bleach, when you clean your home.

Put used tissues and disposable cleaning cloths in rubbish bags. Then put the bag into a second bag and tie it securely. Wait 3 days before putting it in your outside bin.

Dispose of other household waste as normal.

Wash your laundry in the washing machine in the usual way. Laundry that has been in contact with an ill person can be washed with other people's items. Do not shake dirty laundry, as this may spread the virus in the air.

If you do not have a washing machine, wait for 3 days after your stay at home has ended before taking your laundry to a launderette.

Looking after your health and wellbeing

To help yourself stay well while you're at home:

Drink plenty of water to stay hydrated – drink enough so your pee is pale and clear

Take paracetamol to help ease your symptoms

Stay in touch with family and friends over the phone or on social media, to help you avoid feeling low or lonely

Try to keep yourself busy – you could try activities like cooking, reading, online learning and watching films

Source: The NHS website (www.nhs.uk). It is the UK's biggest health website. 

 
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