Testing loophole?

[Hippopotamus1]

I woke up this morning with a runny nose and sneezing. I am fairly certain it’s a bog standard cold, and I checked that these aren’t symptoms of covid so no need for a test. But when checking, I noticed that the gov.UK website says if you have any of the 3 symptoms you “should” get a test. A bit more Googling suggests there is no actual requirement to get tested if you have covid symptoms - can anyone confirm if this is right?! I can’t understand why it isn’t mandatory - perhaps a fallout from the testing programme’s limitations but it seems mad to me!

How could it be mandatory? Who would police that?

No medical procedures have ever been mandatory, they require consent.

Absolutely it shouldn't be mandatory. I don't want to see forced healthcare.

All good point and absolutely enforcement would be impossible. I just find it odd that if you volunteer for a test, you risk being told to self isolate, but if you have symptoms and refuse to test, nobody can require you to self isolate. While it’s up to people to be socially responsible, get tested and self isolate, we all know not everyone will do so.

It IS up to people to be socially responsible but not everyone will.

In some countries police and the army have patrolled the streets to ensure people don't leave the house. In France you needed a permit.

We don't govern like that here.

I know people who have had symptoms and won't test. My DH is an employer and had to send people home because they have symptoms and won't test. It's a nightmare.

Yes, my daughter is at school after being in close contact with a girl who is having symptoms and is self isolating but not testing. Her parents have both tested positive. But they've told me she has to be at school as there's no proof she's positive 🤷‍♀️

Refusal to test should be treated as a positive and therefore isolation. Obviously, there will be people who don’t follow that.

I don’t want to live in a country with police and armies roaming the streets and needing permission to leave my house at all.

needing permission to leave my house at all.

It's not so much a case of needing "permission", but it is a very effective way of monitoring why people are out and about and how long you have been out for.

There is a box to tick which covers going to get rid of your rubbish (we don't have house collections where I live and it is a 10 minute drive to the bins). My form states my address and the time I left the house. I also need to have ID and proof of my address with me.

The rules are pretty clear and not open to misinterpretation.

If you want people to basically "stay at home" then it is very effective.
You will get a fine if you break the rules.

It's not difficult.