Covid: Who has to self-isolate and what if I'm fully vaccinated?
- Published
Many Covid restrictions are being eased in England and Scotland on Monday.
Rules on self-isolation are also changing - although some of them won't happen for a few weeks.
When do I need to self-isolate?
You must self-isolate for 10 days if:
If you are "pinged" by the NHS Covid app, saying you have been in close contact with someone with coronavirus, you're advised - but not legally obliged - to self-isolate for 10 days.
I'm fully vaccinated, do I need to self-isolate?
Even if you have had both jabs you must currently follow the same rules as other people.
However, from 16 August in England, if you are fully vaccinated (double jabbed, plus two weeks), you will no longer have to self-isolate if a close contact tests positive.
If you are identified by NHS Test and Trace, you will be asked if you are fully vaccinated. If so, you will be advised to take one PCR test to make sure you haven't been infected.
If you test positive, you will still need to self-isolate, just like anyone else.
Similar rules are due to come into force in Scotland from 9 August - and in Wales from 7 August.
What self-isolation rules are changing for children?
From 16 August in England, under-18s will no longer have to self-isolate if a close contact tests positive.
Instead, they will be advised to take a PCR test and only have to self-isolate if it comes back positive, or they go on to develop symptoms.
It's hoped this will stop entire classes or year-group bubbles have to self-isolate after one pupil tests positive.
In Scotland, the government is also considering removing self-isolation for school pupils who have contact with positive cases.
How are the self-isolation travel rules changing?
From 19 July, all adults fully vaccinated by the NHS will no longer have to self-isolate after returning from an amber list country. Under-18s will also be exempt.
Vaccinated passengers will need to prove their status via the NHS Covid Pass in England or equivalent schemes.
What does self-isolation mean?
Self-isolation means staying at home and not going out for any reason, not even to buy food or medicine.
You should order online groceries, or ask friends or family to help.
No one from outside your household should come inside, unless a family member receives essential care at home.
If you test positive and feel fine, but subsequently develop symptoms, you must restart your 10-day isolation.
If you have symptoms or have tested positive, you should:
- Keep your distance from other members of your household
- Leave windows open to improve ventilation
- If possible, sleep and eat in a different room, and use a separate bathroom
- If you share a bathroom, use it after everyone else and clean it thoroughly
Will I be paid if I have to self-isolate?
A £500 grant is available in England to people on low incomes who have to self-isolate. This includes parents who can't work because their child has to self-isolate.
It is a single payment to cover 10 days' isolation. Average weekly earnings in Britain are £571 a week.
In Scotland people can apply for the Self-Isolation Support Grant, worth £500. There is a similar scheme in Wales. In Northern Ireland, a discretionary payment is available.
You may also be entitled to Statutory Sick Pay, which is worth £96.35 a week. Employers with a sick pay scheme will pay more.
How are the rules enforced?
Anyone who does not self-isolate could be fined. In England, fines start at £1,000 rising to £10,000.
However, there have been concerns about how many people follow the rules. Some studies have suggested fewer than 20%.