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Coronavirus: Should I self-isolate and how do I do it? Coronavirus: Should I self-isolate and how do I do it?
(2 days later)
Some people are being asked to isolate themselves to prevent the spread of coronavirus. More people in the UK should isolate themselves to prevent the spread of coronavirus, Prime Minister Boris Johnson has announced.
So, what do you need to know about self-isolation and how to do it?So, what do you need to know about self-isolation and how to do it?
Do I need to self-isolate? What is self-isolation?
You may need to isolate yourself if you have travelled to an affected area, or have been in close contact with an infected person. Self-isolation means cutting yourself off from the rest of the world.
Spending 15 minutes within 2m (6ft) of someone with the virus, or having face-to-face contact, is judged to be a significant risk. You need to stay at home, not go to work, school or other public places, and avoid public transport or taxis, says Public Health England.
When someone tests positive for the virus, health authorities try to trace everyone they have spent time with. They will then tell those people whether they need to self-isolate.
Advice for people who have travelled back to the UK from the main affected areas and some other countries has been issued by the government. Full details of the countries concerned and whether you need to self-isolate are available here.
Don't go to the GP or hospital - stay indoors and call NHS 111, even if your symptoms are mild. In Scotland, check NHS inform, then ring your GP in office hours, or 111 out-of-hours. In parts of Wales where 111 is not available, call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47. In Northern Ireland, call your GP).
The Covid-19 disease can cause a fever, cough and breathing problems. It takes five days on average for people to start showing the symptoms.
What should I do in self-isolation?
Self-isolation means staying at home for 14 days, not going to work, school or other public places, and avoiding public transport or taxis, says Public Health England.
"Common-sense" steps include staying in a well-ventilated room with a window that can be opened and keeping away from other people in your home."Common-sense" steps include staying in a well-ventilated room with a window that can be opened and keeping away from other people in your home.
Ask for help if you need groceries, other shopping or medication.Ask for help if you need groceries, other shopping or medication.
It's OK to have friends, family or delivery drivers drop off supplies to get you through the two weeks. It's OK to have friends, family or delivery drivers drop off supplies to get you through.
But you shouldn't have any visitors, PHE says. You can have deliveries left on the doorstep.But you shouldn't have any visitors, PHE says. You can have deliveries left on the doorstep.
Do I need to self-isolate?
From Friday, everyone with flu-like symptoms - defined as a fever of above 37.8C or a persistent cough - is being asked to stay at home for at least seven days.
Anyone who has travelled to an affected area, or who has been in close contact with an infected person, had already been asked to self-isolate for 14 days.
Spending 15 minutes within 2m (6ft) of someone with the virus, or having face-to-face contact, is judged as close contact and a significant risk.
Advice for people who have travelled back to the UK from the main affected areas and some other countries has been issued by the government. Full details of the countries concerned and whether you need to self-isolate are available here.
Patients with mild symptoms are being asked to self-isolate at home. But people are being advised not to ring NHS 111 or their GP to report their symptoms unless they are worried.
The Covid-19 disease can cause a fever, cough and breathing problems. It takes five days on average for people to start showing the symptoms.
What if someone self-isolating shares a home?What if someone self-isolating shares a home?
If you are self-isolating and share a kitchen, try to avoid using it when other people are there and take your meals back to your room to eat. Clean all the surfaces at home with household cleaning products daily.If you are self-isolating and share a kitchen, try to avoid using it when other people are there and take your meals back to your room to eat. Clean all the surfaces at home with household cleaning products daily.
Although you might not be able to entirely separate yourself from family members or flatmates, the advice is to limit contact as much as possible.Although you might not be able to entirely separate yourself from family members or flatmates, the advice is to limit contact as much as possible.
If possible stay at least 2m (6ft) from other people you live with and sleep alone. Keep away from vulnerable people.
People living with someone in isolation should wash their hands often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds - especially after coming into contact with them.People living with someone in isolation should wash their hands often, using soap and water for at least 20 seconds - especially after coming into contact with them.
You shouldn't share towels, toiletries or other household items with someone in isolation and they should have a separate bathroom. If that is not possible, the isolated person should use the bathroom last, cleaning it thoroughly afterwards if they are able.You shouldn't share towels, toiletries or other household items with someone in isolation and they should have a separate bathroom. If that is not possible, the isolated person should use the bathroom last, cleaning it thoroughly afterwards if they are able.
Any rubbish that the isolated person has been in contact with should be double-bagged and kept. If the person tests positive, you will be told what to do with their waste.Any rubbish that the isolated person has been in contact with should be double-bagged and kept. If the person tests positive, you will be told what to do with their waste.
Will I still get paid?Will I still get paid?
Workers will get statutory sick pay from the first day off work, not the fourth, to help contain coronavirus, the prime minister has said.Workers will get statutory sick pay from the first day off work, not the fourth, to help contain coronavirus, the prime minister has said.
Statutory sick pay is usually £94.25 a week after the first three days. However, people who have to self-isolate or who are ill will get an extra £40 under the emergency rules.Statutory sick pay is usually £94.25 a week after the first three days. However, people who have to self-isolate or who are ill will get an extra £40 under the emergency rules.
Many casual or agency workers may also be entitled to sick pay but self-employed people are not. Citizens Advice says people on zero-hours contracts can still get sick pay and should ask their employer.Many casual or agency workers may also be entitled to sick pay but self-employed people are not. Citizens Advice says people on zero-hours contracts can still get sick pay and should ask their employer.
In the meantime, the government says you can claim universal credit or employment and support allowance if you're prevented from working for public health reasons.In the meantime, the government says you can claim universal credit or employment and support allowance if you're prevented from working for public health reasons.
If you need to care for a relative or your child's school is closed and you need to look after them at short notice, your employer must give you time off, but it may be unpaid.If you need to care for a relative or your child's school is closed and you need to look after them at short notice, your employer must give you time off, but it may be unpaid.