Easy way to think of it is 7 days if you live on your own or 14 days if with others. But the 14 days keeps re-starting if someone else in the household starts presenting with symptoms.
Guidance
conditions/infections-and-poisoning/ coronavirus-covid-19#stay-at-home-advice
Stay at home advice
This advice is for: •
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Stay at home: guidance for households with
possible coronavirus (COVID-19) infection
Updated 16 March 2020
If you have a new continuous cough and/or a fever/high temperature, however
mild, stay at home for 7 days from the day your symptoms started. This will help to
protect others in your community while you’re infectious.
people with symptoms that may be caused by coronavirus (COVID-19), and
who do not require hospital treatment, who must remain at home until they
are well
those living in households with someone who shows symptoms that may be
caused by coronavirus (COVID-19)
Why staying at home is very important
It is very important that individuals with symptoms that may be due to coronavirus
(COVID-19) and their household members stay at home. Staying at home will help
control the spread of the virus to friends and others.
Those with symptoms who live alone should remain at home for 7 days after the
onset of their symptoms (see “ending self-isolation” below). This will reduce the
risk of you infecting others.
If you live with others, then the person who has symptoms of COVID-19 (new
continuous cough and/or fever/high temperature) should stay at home for 7 days
from the start of their symptoms and all other household members who don’t
develop any symptoms should stay at home for 14 days. The 14-day period starts
from the day illness began in the first person to become ill. If others in the
household develop symptoms within the 14 days, then they will need to stay at
home for 7 days from the day their symptoms began, even if this takes them over
the 14 day isolation period.
It is likely that people living within a household will infect each other or may
already be infected. Staying at home for 14 days will greatly reduce the overall
amount of infection the household could pass on to others in the
community. Staying at home may be difficult and frustrating, but there are things
that you can do to help make it easier.
What to consider
If you have to stay at home: •
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If you have to stay at home for you shouldn’t go to work, school or public areas.
Avoid close contact with others by: •
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plan ahead and ask others for help to make sure you can stay at home
successfully
ask your employer, friends and family to help you get the things you need to
stay at home
stay at least 2 metres (about 3 steps) away from other people in your home
whenever possible
sleep alone if possible
wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds regularly
stay away from the elderly and those with underlying health conditions as
much as possible
consider whether older people and those with underlying health conditions
can stay in another house while you need to stay at home
make sure that you keep in touch with friends and family over the phone or
through social media
What we mean by staying at home (self-isolating)
avoiding having visitors
not using taxis or public transport
asking a friend or neighbour to get your shopping or arranging for a delivery
to be left at your door
not sharing towels, clothes, toothbrushes or razors
You should also avoid kissing and having sex.
What you can do to help yourself get better
Drink water to keep yourself hydrated; you should drink enough during the day so your urine (pee) is a pale clear colour. You can use over-the-counter medications,
such as paracetamol, to help with some of your symptoms. Use these according
to the instructions on the packet or label and do not exceed the recommended
dose.
Wash your hands regularly
Wash your hands with soap and water for 20 seconds regularly and tell others in
your household to do the same. You can also use an alcohol-based hand sanitiser
if your hands aren’t visibly dirty.
Dry your hands using a separate towel from other people.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
Stay away from others
Separate yourself from other people in your home and keep the door closed. If
you can’t stay in a separate room, try to stay 2 metres (3 steps) away from the
other people.
Stay in a well-ventilated room with a window that can be opened. Try to keep the
window open as much as possible to help with ventilation and air flow. This will
help to keep clean air moving through your room.
Each person should: •
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sleep in a different bed where possible
use their own toothbrushes, towels, linen, cups, plates, bowls and cutlery
take meals to their own room to eat
You can still use your garden as long as stay 2 metres (3 steps) away from other
people. If possible, each person should use the outside area separately.
Shared living spaces
Spend as little time as possible in your kitchen, bathrooms and sitting areas and
keep these areas well ventilated.
If you can, use a separate bathroom from the rest of the household. If you share a
kitchen, avoid using it while others are present.
If you share a toilet and bathroom, wipe any surfaces you come in contact and
clean it after every use with a household detergent that’s active against viruses
and bacteria.
Use a dishwasher if you have one. If you don’t have a dishwasher, wash your
plates and cutlery using washing up liquid and warm water, and dry them
thoroughly with a separate tea towel.
Collecting shopping and prescriptions
If possible, ask a friend, family member or delivery services to run errands on your
behalf.
Pharmacies can often arrange to deliver repeat prescriptions if you run out while
you remain at home. Other people can collect a prescription on your behalf.
Single parents
If you and your children live alone, follow our advice as best you can.
Children appear to be less severely affected by COVID-19. If your child develops
symptoms, they need to stay at home for 7 days from the onset of their symptoms.
Taking children to school
As long as your children have no symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, they can
still go to school.
If possible, ask a friend or family member to drop them off and pick them up from
school,
If you live with an older, vulnerable or pregnant person
If you live with an elderly, vulnerable or pregnant person keep following our advice
as best you can.
Minimise as much as possible the time any vulnerable family members spend in
shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas and keep shared
spaces well ventilated.
If you can, move any vulnerable individuals (such as the elderly and those with
underlying health conditions) out of your home, for the duration of the home
isolation period. If this is not possible, people with symptoms should stay away
from these vulnerable people as much as possible.
Breastfeeding
There is currently no evidence to suggest that the virus can be transmitted
through breast milk. Infection can be spread to the baby in the same way as to
anyone in close contact with you. The benefits of breastfeeding outweigh any
potential risks of transmission of the virus through breast milk or by being in close
contact; however, this will be an individual decision and can be discussed with
your midwife, health visitor or GP by telephone.
If you or a family member are feeding with formula or expressed milk, you should
sterilise the equipment carefully before each use. You should not share bottles or
a breast pump with someone else.
Late stages of pregnancy
If you think you are in labour, call your maternity unit and tell the call handler that
you think you are in labour and also that you are staying at home because of
symptoms of COVID-19 infection. They will be able to provide further information
and next steps.
Further information on the impacts of COVID-19 on pregnancy
Cleaning products
Clean all surfaces every day with a household cleaner that’s active against viruses
and bacteria. Pay special attention to frequently touched areas. Usual household
products like detergents and bleach are effective.
Wash your hands with soap and water after cleaning surfaces and handling
clothing and bedding.
Waste disposal
You can securely store personal waste (such as used tissues) and disposable
cleaning cloths within disposable rubbish bags. These should be: •
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placed into another bag
tied securely
kept separate from other waste in your room
put aside for at least 72 hours before being putting in your usual external
household waste bin
Other household waste can be disposed of as normal.
Laundry
Don’t shake dirty laundry as this can spread the virus through the air.
Wash laundry using the highest temperature setting indicated on the garment care
label. Where possible, wash laundry separately from other people living in your
household.
If you don’t have a washing machine, wait a further 3 days after your isolation
period has ended to take your laundry to a launderette.
Medical or dental treatment
Everyone following ‘stay at home’ advice should postpone any non-essential
healthcare appointments including medical, dental or optician appointments.
If you’re concerned or have been asked to attend an appointment while you’ve to
stay at home, discuss this with your GP, local hospital or outpatient service using
the number they’ve provided.
Travel
As you have to stay at home you can’t travel. You can re-arrange your travel for a
date after you've self-isolated.
If you have travel insurance, contact your insurer and explain that you’ll not be
able to travel for health reasons.
Face masks
Face masks aren’t effective at preventing the spread of the infection.
They are important in clinical settings, such as hospitals, but there’s very little
evidence of their benefit outside these settings. However, if you have a carer you
may be asked to wear a mask to minimise the risk to them.
Looking after your wellbeing
Staying at home for a prolonged period of time can be difficult, frustrating and
lonely for some people and you may feel low.
It’s important to remember to take care of your mind as well as your body and to
get support if and when you need it. Stay in touch with family and friends over the
phone or on social media.
Think about things you can do during your time at home, such as cooking,
reading, online learning or watching films. If you feel well enough you can take
part in light exercise within your home or garden.
After staying at home (self-isolating)
The person who has had symptoms may end self-isolation after 7 days as long as
they feel better and no longer have a high temperature. The 7-day period starts
from the day when you first became ill, so you can return to your usual activities
on the 8th day.
If living with others, then household members who have had no symptoms may
end household-isolation after 14 days. The 14-day period starts from the day
illness began in the first person to become ill.
If any other family members become unwell during the 14-day household-isolation
period, they should follow the same advice i.e. after 7 days, if they feel better and
no longer have a high temperature, they can return to their normal routine. If
others in the household develop symptoms within the 14 days, then they will need
to stay at home for 7 days from the day their symptoms began, even if this takes
them over the 14 day isolation period.
If any ill person in the household has not had any signs of improvement after 7
days, they should contact their GP or NHS 24 (111).
When you are feeling better, remember that physical exercise can be good for
your wellbeing. Look for online classes or courses that can help you take light
exercise in your home.