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Original poster

Testing positive while working away

52 replies

m1shap3 · 12/10/2021 23:42

What do you do if you test positive while working away (or just staying away from home) that you need to get home from by using public transport?
Basically, there's a chance DH may test positive. Currently working away and would need to get a two hour train home. Obviously if he is positive he shouldn't be getting the train to come home and self isolate like he would if he had taken the car there

OP posts:
AlexaShutUp · 12/10/2021 23:46

Interesting question! I have no idea.

The official answer might be that you should isolate wherever you are instead of travelling home, but clearly, that would be unaffordable and/or totally impractical for many people.

AlexaShutUp · 12/10/2021 23:47

Hope your DH tests negative BTW!

Mindymomo · 13/10/2021 06:41

If he cannot isolate where he is, then he has to get home and if that’s by train, he will have to do that by double masking and trying to stay away from people as much as he can, by travelling outside rush hours would help.

gamerchick · 13/10/2021 06:51

Can he not just isolate where he is? I'd not be happy it willfully being brought into the house.

TedGlenn · 13/10/2021 06:58

The rules for holiday cottages (so a equivalent situation) is if he can't travel home by private transport, and can't stay in his accommodation (they won't let him/he can't afford it) then he needs to get in contact with Public Health England and they will advise - they might put him up somewhere, or arrange an ambulance home for him.

Mind you, those were the rules during height of pandemic, now he government seem to be a following a policy of herd immunity through allowing infection in vaccinated/low risk people, they might prefer him to head home on the train!

Katie517 · 13/10/2021 07:08

I think he should use his initiative and stop looking to the government for advice on every aspect of our lives. If that means getting the train, take one at a less busy time and wear a mask. How would he have got home with neurovirus or flu previously?

PhilCornwall1 · 13/10/2021 07:38

Hire a car and drive home.

ifonly4 · 13/10/2021 07:38

Do you drive? If so that's an option. I'm not saying it's right to get the train home but an overnight train might be quieter. Double mask, and if he needs to but good/drink do it from an outside vendor.

GoodnightGrandma · 13/10/2021 07:40

If he needs to get home, he needs to get home. I know I would in his situation.
Just take the precautions others have said.

ApolloandDaphne · 13/10/2021 08:33

@TedGlenn

The rules for holiday cottages (so a equivalent situation) is if he can't travel home by private transport, and can't stay in his accommodation (they won't let him/he can't afford it) then he needs to get in contact with Public Health England and they will advise - they might put him up somewhere, or arrange an ambulance home for him.

Mind you, those were the rules during height of pandemic, now he government seem to be a following a policy of herd immunity through allowing infection in vaccinated/low risk people, they might prefer him to head home on the train!

I doubt he would be provided with ambulance transport! The ambulance service is on its knees as it is dealing with proper sick people.

If you can't go and get him OP then he will just have to get the train home and take measures to reduce the risks to fellow passengers.

Wakeupin2022 · 13/10/2021 08:49

Is he self employed or does he have an employer?

What makes him think he will test positive? Is he symptomatic?

I would suggest he speaks to his employer if they have requested the trip. They should support him, whether that be to return home or stay in situ and pay for his accommodation, ensure he had food, essentials etc.

If that doesn't happen is there anyone who could pick him up in a private car? Perhaps someone who has had Covid would be best choice.

Alternatively as others have suggested, he double masks, socially distances and comes home.

Original poster
m1shap3 · 13/10/2021 09:52

@gamerchick

Can he not just isolate where he is? I'd not be happy it willfully being brought into the house.
He's potentially going to test positive as DC has tested positive. So he wouldn't be bro going it home. I'm not sure work would pay his accommodation costs? Obviously they are paying for him to be there now
OP posts:
SheWoreYellow · 13/10/2021 09:54

I would think you could drive to him and leave him the car? Presuming you drive.

Original poster
m1shap3 · 13/10/2021 09:55

*bringing it home

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. It was just an enquiry in case he does test positive. However I've tested negative despite DC being positive so hopefully he does too

OP posts:
Original poster
m1shap3 · 13/10/2021 09:55

I do drive yes but I also work full time, and can't do a ten hour round trip with DC to get him

OP posts:
Wakeupin2022 · 13/10/2021 12:18

Is he double jabbed?

If he is then he doesn't need to isolate. It's recommended he does but it's not a requirement.

When is he due back? I am not sure his work would support him returning home if he's not due back yet, but it's a discussion he should have with his boss.

He is more than OK to travel back home by train, as long as he's vaccinated as he does not have symptoms and he has not had a positive PCR.

Wakeupin2022 · 13/10/2021 12:19

My post above missed out aj important bit- sorry.

It is recommended he get a PCR if he is a close contact of a positive case - not requirement.

Some key words missing Blush

scochran · 13/10/2021 12:39

I know a situation where this has just happened and person was told hiring a car and travelling home without stopping was acceptable. Obviously only if you have no symptoms that make a drive unsafe. His work covered the cost and hire people made aware for cleaning car etc after

Lollipop444 · 13/10/2021 12:47

@Katie517

I think he should use his initiative and stop looking to the government for advice on every aspect of our lives. If that means getting the train, take one at a less busy time and wear a mask. How would he have got home with neurovirus or flu previously?
This x 100!
SheWoreYellow · 14/10/2021 07:48

@m1shap3

I do drive yes but I also work full time, and can't do a ten hour round trip with DC to get him
Two hours on the train, plus the drive. Surely it’s not an eight hour drive, so is the ten hour drive a typo?

I would leave him in the hotel until Saturday and then go and deliver him the car. Or get him to hire a car. Can work not get someone to drop a car off?

BoomChicka · 14/10/2021 08:23

Hilarious that someone thinks PHE would arrange an ambulance! Source?

FrangipaniBlue · 14/10/2021 08:28

@Wakeupin2022

Is he double jabbed?

If he is then he doesn't need to isolate. It's recommended he does but it's not a requirement.

When is he due back? I am not sure his work would support him returning home if he's not due back yet, but it's a discussion he should have with his boss.

He is more than OK to travel back home by train, as long as he's vaccinated as he does not have symptoms and he has not had a positive PCR.

Of course he has to isolate the If he tests positive Confused

The exemption only applies if you're a close contact, not if you actually have it FFS 🤦🏽‍♀️

Lollipop444 · 14/10/2021 08:46

Surely most people would only do a test once they got back home (if asymptomatic) in this situation or am I missing something?

If he becomes symptomatic then that is a bit more tricky. When we stayed in a premier inn recently there was a sign on the door saying that if you develop symptoms you needed to stay in your room and contact 111 and reception.

I’ve no idea what you would have to do in that situation but I’m pretty sure that plenty of people will be travelling on public transport unknowingly positive (and probably some who know they have symptoms but haven’t bothered testing) especially going by the amount of people coughing and sneezing on trains at the moment.

Have you travelled on one lately? Our one was packed (standing room only), no masks - except me and dc- and people hacking and spluttering all the time!

Wakeupin2022 · 14/10/2021 11:00

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

gamerchick · 14/10/2021 11:01

Of course he has to isolate the If he tests positive confused

The exemption only applies if you're a close contact, not if you actually have it FFS

Scary that people actually think that Confused

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