Which guidance do I follow if I am isolating as a close contact from the previous guidance (prior to 6 January)?
If you were positive, or identified as a close contact and told to isolate under previous guidance, you should continue to follow this advice until the isolation period has come to an end, which means continuing with 10 days of self-isolation. The new guidance came into effect from 6 January 2022 for any new cases and is not retrospective.
I have symptoms of Covid-19, do I need to book a PCR test or do an LFD test?
If you have any symptoms – a new continuous cough, high temperature or loss/change of taste/smell - you should book a PCR test as soon as possible and self-isolate.
What if I have symptoms; does my household need to isolate whilst I wait my PCR results?
Some of your household may need to isolate. If they are not fully vaccinated, they will need to isolate. If they are a fully vaccinated adult or under 18 years and 4 months, they do not need to isolate as long as they continue to return daily negative LFDs until the test result is received and follow appropriate guidance thereafter.
My PCR was positive, what should members of my household do?
- All household members who have symptoms should isolate immediately and book a PCR test.
- Fully vaccinated household members (three doses with a final dose at least 14 days ago) and household members aged under 18 years and 4 months may take 7 daily LFD tests as an alternative to isolation so long as they do not have symptoms and test negative each day;
- Anyone aged over 18 years 4 months who has less than three vaccine doses should book a PCR test and, even if negative, isolate for 10 days.
My child is under 5 years old, do they need to do a test if they’re identified as a close contact?
Under 5-year-olds are encouraged, but not required to take a test.
I have just finished a period of self-isolation as a non-vaccinated close contact – what happens if I’m identified as a close contact again?
You may be asked by Test and Protect to self-isolate and book a test again if you are identified again as a close contact of another person who is a confirmed case. It is possible that people will have to self-isolate more than once – perhaps multiple times – if they are identified as a close contact of separate cases on several different occasions. The best way to reduce the likelihood of being asked to self-isolate is to get your third dose of the vaccine.
Previously, I was allowed to return to work as a close contact due to the critical national infrastructure self-isolation exemption - does this still apply?
The CNI exemption scheme has now closed as the wider population changes introduced effectively replicate the exemption enabled by the CNI scheme.
I need support whilst I’m self-isolating - what is available?
Workers who earn less than the real living wage and have been asked to isolate by Test and Protect may be eligible for the £500 Self-Isolation Support Grant but you will need evidence of a PCR test. Practical support such as food or essential medicine deliveries are available through the local self-isolation assistance service, and the national Coronavirus helpline – available at 0800 111 4000, Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm – to ensure people required to self-isolate have the support they need.