Do people HAVE to get tested?

[MysteryMama]

Our family was I. Contact with someone last week who, the next day, developed a cold. They got tested on Saturday and are still waiting for the results.
I kept the kids off school yesterday and today until her results come back. As it happens, the hinge at has a cold(runny nose and slight temp)
My question is, so we HAVE to get tested? Even if people develop symptoms, is it required by law or something?

Hinge at?? ‘Youngest’!

I think the guidance is that unless you are contact traced and told to isolate, or you know you are in close contact with a positive case, you do not have to isolate. Schools have different rules though, it seems.

Why would you not get tested? If you have it and don't know you may spread it.

No you don't. They have a cold. If you have one if the three key symptoms you isolate and test.

People testing for nothing is why there are no bloody tests available in a lot of places.

You only get tested if you develop one of the 3 key symptoms. If you are in contact with a confirmed positive case you isolate for 14 days without getting tested unless you get symptoms (as the virus may not get picked up in testing before symptoms develop). If you are in contact with someone who has symptoms but tests negative you do not need to isolate, and if they are waiting on results you don't need to isolate until the test is confirmed as positive.

Thanks. I rang school and find them everything. They then called back and said ‘but you’re all getting tested today though?!’ I felt quite pressured and this woman was quite brash about it. I’m keeping them off because they have colds anyway-not something is usually so-but thought given the current situation I should.
As someone said. I’m not going to get a test just for the sake of it

No, you don't have to. Nobody is going to force you. Isolation instead is an option.

@OpenlyGayExOlympicFencer that’s what we’re doing-with a McDonald’s delivery. Kids are made up. Is it too early for wine??

What symptoms of "a cold" do your children have though, because if it's anyone of the three identified by the NHS then either you need to test or quarantine for 14 days

Runny nose, slightly raises temp of 37.7. No coughs

@MysteryMama

Runny nose, slightly raises temp of 37.7. No coughs

So the temp is really borderline isn't it? Are you going to isolate for 14 days?

@Movinghouseatlast If everyone with a cold gets a test, there will be even less available for legitimate cases (those with the given symptoms) than there are now.

@MysteryMama Tell the kids 'covid test' is code for having a McDonald's. If anyone asks, they had a test!

You only need to isolate if the person you have came in contact with is positive and track and trace will contact you. Only get a test if you develop one of the 3 symptoms continuous cough. Temp or change in taste/smell.

Yes, isolation for us now. Done 6 months of it, what’s another 2 weeks!

Just sounds like a cold to me 🤷🏼‍♀️

I'm not sure why you'd rather isolate for 14 days than get tested,the results come back in 24 hours generally.

Or, in the case of my OH, 8 days! He'd already had the symptoms for 3 days before he could get a test so practically done the 14 day isolation by the time his NEGATIVE result came back!