Reducing risk for my elderly mother - how soon am I likely to be "safe"?

[loveyouradvice]

I have a lovely mum in a care home, and haven't been able to see her for a while because of illness at home.

I've just spent two days (for work) with a group of 15 people, including going to a restaurant. Now back to normal wfh life and only meeting people outside or in small groups.

I've realised of course that there is a good chance I'll have encountered Omnicron. Knowing it typically takes a couple of days to get it, how soon would it show up on a lateral flow?

I was thinking of seeing Mum Tuesday but think I should delay to Wednesday. If I take a couple of LF that day am I likely to not be infectious?

I'm keen to see her as soon as possible as she hasn't seen me for a while and I'm her only visitor at the moment

It will be wonderful for you to see your mum and she will be looking forward to seeing you i bet! I would leave it few days without seeing people then mask and ltf same day. Have a nice time.

For covid, 4 days is the typical timespan between exposure and starting with symptoms. So I’d do an LFT on day 5 and go if negative. Day 6 if you want to be extra cautious.

Don't they recommend testing for 7 days if you've been in contact? Have any of the people you were with tested positive or is this a "just in case"? I would leave it a week, tbh.