Someone in my child’s nursery bubble has tested positive

[MB90]

Can anyone please point me in the direction of the guidance as to whether or not I’m still able to work? I know my DS has to self-isolate but from my understand we as his parents don’t have to?

I would really appreciate some guidance, thanks

[Smurf123]

This is the northern ireland school guidance. It states that a parent or sibling of someone identified as a close contact can go to school or work providing that person is not symptomatic or positive themselves.

www.publichealth.hscni.net/covid-19-coronavirus/guidance-professionals-and-organisations/frequently-asked-questions-covid-19

[Torvean32]

@bigchris

I guess you could all be tested

No they cant. You should only get tested if you have one of the main 4 symptoms. If you are isolating for 14 days a negative test does not mean that you dont do 14 days.

[Ratatcat]

Here you go. We’ve had this recently and also struggled to find the guidance.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person/guidance-for-contacts-of-people-with-possible-or-confirmed-coronavirus-covid-19-infection-who-do-not-live-with-the-person

[LouiseTrees]

@Torvean32 you are correct. The contact (the toddler) of the person with confirmed Covid ( the nursery) needs to isolate for 14 days , bizarrely though the rest of the household ( the parents) do not . Unless they or the toddler get symptoms of course.

[MoirasRoses]

I concur. Your child needs to isolate. The rest of the household do not unless he or you displays symptoms. Obviously, with young kids one parent needs to be home anyway but you can go out & about as normal while your OH is at home. I met a friend for a play date while her little boy was at home isolating (with Dad, not alone). He had no symptoms, so I was fine with it.

[DougRossIsTheBoss]

Seems to me as though DH should wfh to look after DS as you cannot do your work from home.

Usually I'd say parents should share taking the childcare hit but in this case as DS has been exposed seems best not to risk taking it to both your workplaces. You at least have PPE.

He should remind his boss that if DS does have it then there will be a lot more time off work lost if DH in turn tests positive and his co-workers then become contacts.

My work preferred me not to come in this scenario although it was not very convenient because they did not want to take any risks. It was clearly better to have someone wfh perhaps unnecessarily than to have someone brewing COVID come and spread it about the place.

Whoever does go into work/ out and about I think should be very stringent about distancing, handwashing etc and keep this to a minimum.

It does seem a bit odd that it doesn't apply to the whole household but essentially that's a pragmatic compromise to stop the whole economy tanking so they have drawn a line at contacts of a contact.

Obviously if any of you get symptoms you all self isolate and that person gets tested.

[Toontown]

DP is a paramedic. We have 4 kids and have had 3 of them self isolating. He goes to work every time. No way could they keep the front line off work here if s family member is self isolating the ambulances would be empty!