Daughter has (probably) HAD the disease, now stuck in lockdown ...

[GlassInEachHand]

Our student daughter (20) was all set to return home just over two weeks ago, as soon as her university closed, but then developed the dreaded symptoms and had to stay in her flat. Her GP thinks it was very likely Covid19 (though obviously couldn't be certain).

She is now recovered and wants to come home - she's less than an hour away, and can drive herself. Apart from the lockdown being in place, now that she's (probably) had CV there's no logical reason why she shouldn't, apart from the potential for transferring virus in on her clothing - which she would remove on arrival and get thoroughly cleaned up. She's worried (as are we) that she'll be stuck alone in her flat indefinitely, especially if the lockdown becomes more rigidly enforced, and then who knows how long it will be before she can get back?

I want her home. DH does too, but is worried about her breaking the lockdown. Thoughts?

She is able to come home, as long as she then stays home.

I would let her come back but then isolate the whole household for 14 days to ensure no transfer of infection. If you are ok with this then go for it. Big shop before she gets back.

yes what @orangeicecream said. she should pack everything up and give notice on her flat - moving back home entirely, as this could go on for months and she won't be able to go back and fetch stuff. everything she brings back should be left in the car for 3 days in case of trace contact contamination. she does a total clean of every inch of her body, every stitch of her clothing and then a deep clean of the bathroom she used for it as soon as she gets in and then all of you go into full lockdown for 2 weeks just in case that wasn't sufficient. it isn't forbidden to move home, even to move in with someone new, if the changes are planned to be permanent. it is visiting that shouldn't happen and moving back in with you is not visiting.

Of course she can come home to you!

How long does the virus live on clothing?

I would say she should come home to you, especially if she has almost definitely had the virus. However police are stopping people on motorways and turning them back in some cases. I'm not sure what they would say about that reason, they might be okay with it but hard to know.

My friend's husband was stopped and told to return home. Their situation was: she's on maternity leave and was staying with her parents when lockdown was announced. Her husband was at home but lost his job due to the crisis and decided to join my friend and her family for the rest of lockdown. He was told this was unacceptable and to return home.

If she is going home to her permanent address I can't see why the police would send her away (under current guidelines, anyway)? If they ask where she is going and she says that she is going home, how can the police tell her 'no, go home'? I would get her home ASAP before a more severe lock down gets brought in, OP.

Ah okay, I thought they would class her university flat as her home and tell her to stay put.

The information released by the university I'm attached to originally said that travelling home was permitted but last week said public health England had changed it so it was no longer permitted.

Does anyone know how long the virus lives for on clothing?