If a teacher has lives with someone covid positive do they have to have a test regardless of not having symptoms?

[Flowerpot345]

Posting here for traffic as I cant find the answer anywhere.
Does anyone have any information on if a teacher lives with someone who finds out they have covid19 does the teacher have to have a test themselves regardless of symptoms?
Or do they just self isolate and only get a test if they have symptoms?

Isolate for 14 days, only test if you develop symptoms.

Yes of course they could be asymptotic.

Self isolate for 14 days. Test only if symptoms

Definitely isolate.

Nobody asymptomatic needs to get a test regardless of who else has tested positive. They self isolate for two weeks and test if they develop symptoms.

The 14 days isolating gives time for the virus to incubate enough to get symptoms of you're going to get them.

Isolate for 14 days - if they’re asymptomatic and have a negative test they still need to isolate for 14 days as a household contact.

If they become symptomatic get a test.

You really can't find the answer to "what you do if someone you live with tests positive". No wonder the virus is rampent if this message hasn't got through by now. A teacher is a person, all people are required to do the same thing in these circumstances.

@Lostthefairytale thats not what I was asking was it?
I was asking if you are a TEACHER would you get a test regardless of symptoms. Because we want to keep our schools open so it would be pretty good having the knowledge if said teacher has covid19 after being in a classroom of kids.

I am a teacher and it changes nothing. There’s no point getting a test without symptoms. It’s against guidelines and won’t help anyone, and now they’re self isolating, they can’t pass anything on to anyone anyway. You can’t even book a test with no symptoms without lying.

No, I don’t believe teachers have special access to tests, if that’s what you’re asking. Schools are using supply teachers as necessary when people need to self isolate.

Even if you did have asymptomatic Covid, you wouldn't know when to test in order to get an accurate result. So you couldn't trust a negative result.

I teach in Scotland and we can get tests if asymptomatic but have had contact with someone with Covid, so in your case yes I would. I would still have to isolate for 14 days regardless, but if I knew I was positive it would have an impact on my colleagues and my family.

I suppose you just dont know if they have already past it on to the kids. Thats why I asked. Or even vice versa.
I did wonder about supply teachers also being able to bridge the gap but I know a school that has had to close an entire year through staff shortages due to teachers self isolating, i suppose it depends if you can get supply teachers that easily in your area.
Thought there might be extra testing for schools to help them remain open.

www.gov.scot/news/testing-available-for-education-workers/

In Scotland, teachers can get access to a test if they feel they have been at risk of exposure regardless of having symptoms. However, this has to be done through the school so it may only apply to potential exposure in the school? Not sure.

It would be a waste of a test.

As the person (whether teacher, tinker, tailor soldier, spy) could be incubating it, a negative test does not release you from the need to self isolate for 14 days

Testing doesn't overrule the two week isolation so it wouldn't help keep schools open.

Oh really @Mistressiggi thats interesting scotland seem to be doing it differently.

'Testing doesn't overrule the two week isolation so it wouldn't help keep schools open.'

I understand that but surely you would stop it traveling further if you can isolate additional cases? Therefore keeping other teachers working imstead of them catching it also.

Surely the rules Are the same for everyone, regardless of occupation?

No special rules for teachers and there is no way round the 2 week incubation period.

The incubation period can be up to 14 days so you could test on, say, day 10 and it would come back negative, doesn't mean you won't come back positive later on.

I'm a primary teacher in the SE. Guidance is that due to my status as a key worker, my housemate can get a slightly prioritised test if they develop symptoms. They would tell me then I tell my HT who books the test. I self isolate for 14 days or until they test negative. I can't get a test until I develop symptoms.

There’s no point in getting a test before 24 days of you aren’t showing symptoms. You could have a test on day 13, get a negative result but develop symptoms on day 14, test again and get a positive result!

*14, not 24. Stupid fat fingers!