Coronavirus self-isolation

I’ve been told to self-isolate. What do I need to do?

What has changed

There is no longer a legal requirement for people with coronavirus (COVID-19) infection to self-isolate, however if you have any of the main symptoms of COVID-19 or a positive test result, the public health advice is to stay at home and avoid contact with other people.

The following advice is for:

  • people with any of the main symptoms of COVID-19
  • people who have received a positive COVID-19 lateral flow device (LFD) or polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test result
  • people who live in the same household as, or who have had close contact with, someone who has COVID-19

. Adults and children who test positive are advised to stay at home and avoid contact with other people for at least five full days and then continue to follow the guidance until they have received two negative test results on consecutive days.

When do I need to isolate and for how long?

It is advised that you isolate if you have either received a positive COVID-19 test result or potentially if you have been in contact with someone who has received a positive COVID-19 test result. For more information, visit the governments isolation page.

If you have been vaccinated with a COVID-19 vaccine, you are less likely to become severely ill if you catch COVID-19. You are also less likely to spread COVID-19 to other people, but it is still possible for this to happen. Therefore:

  • If you are aged 18 years 6 months or over and you are not fully vaccinated*, and you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, you are legally required to stay at home and self-isolate
  • If you are fully vaccinated or aged under 18 years and 6 months, and you live in the same household as someone with COVID-19, you are not legally required to self-isolate. However, you are strongly advised to take an LFD test every day for 7 days, and to self-isolate if any of these test results are positive.

A reminder that you are considered 'fully vaccinated' 14 days after having received 2 doses of an approved vaccine (such as Pfizer/BioNTech, AstraZeneca or Moderna/Spikevax) or one dose of the single-dose Janssen vaccine. It is still, however, recommended that you receive a booster dose of vaccine as soon as three months after your initial doses.

Visit our Covid FAQ's for any further questions on self isolation or government guidance.

Self-isolation Advice Pack

Please visit the link below if you wish to read the pack as a pdf brochure, alternatively scroll down for the web page version.

Self Isolation Pack Front Cover updated 14 Jan 2022

Self Isolation Pack - Updated 14 January 2022
Download (1.29MB - PDF)

Why is self-isolation important?

  • Protect others
  • Stop the Spread
  • Reduce chances of more variants
  • Keep hospital admissions low

We know that people can have COVID-19 without having symptoms and this means that they can also pass on the virus.

You could give the virus to other people, including those who are vulnerable to very serious illness.

Self-isolating is a vitally important and effective way of slowing the spread of COVID-19.

By self-isolating, you are not only protecting your friends, family and community but you are also helping to make sure that those most vulnerable to very serious illness are not exposed to the virus by you.

Remember, if you are asked to self-isolate, you must do so by law.

crossYou must not leave your home if you are self-isolating.
 Exclamation mark You could be fined if you do not self-isolate.

What self isolation means:

crossDo not go to work, school, college, or public places
crossDo not go on the bus, train or use taxis
crossDo not pop out to the supermarket to get food and medicine
crossDo not just nip to the shops to get a birthday card, present or other items or calling at the hospital to drop things off
crossDo not have visitors in your home – this includes friends and family (you could be exposing them to the virus). The only people allowed in your home are those providing essential care
crossDo not go out to exercise unless within your own private garden – this means no trips to the gym, pool or for a jog or cycle, no walking the dog!

By self-isolating, you are helping to stop the spread of Coronavirus. If you are struggling to isolate and need support, call us on: 01302 734403 . Financial help is available.
 

Stay at home check list and support

We know it’s not easy but if you have to self-isolate, it means that you cannot leave your house. It is so important that you do this and stick to the rules to protect your family, friends and community.

Here’s a helpful checklist of items to think about when staying at home – you may need to ask family and friends for help.

  • Food deliveries
  • Prescription deliveries
  • Help to get online
  • Utilities help (topping up meters)
  • Financial support 
  • Care of pets – someone to walk the dog
  • Support for my wellbeing
  • Friends, families or co-workers I can connect with
  • Know where to access support if I feel lonely, anxious or overwhelmed or need specific help

Useful contacts

Doncaster Council

Visit our dedicated web pages www.doncaster.gov.uk/coronavirus or call the helpline on 01302 736000 and we will provide details of emotional and financial support available.

Social Isolation Alliance

The Social Isolation and Loneliness Alliance (SIA) is a collaboration of partners from the public, voluntary, community and faith sectors who are committed to reducing social isolation and loneliness in
Doncaster. Anyone who needs help or advice or has no other support can ring the SIA Helpline:

8am - 8pm (Monday to Friday)
8am - 6pm (Saturday and Sunday)
Call: 01302 430322

 

Return to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) homepage

 

 

Last updated: 07 April 2022 10:33:13