Coronavirus (COVID-19): self-isolating and close contacts
If you have symptoms of or have been diagnosed with COVID-19 you must self-isolate. If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, follow the guidance on self-isolation and testing below.
Who should self-isolate and for how long
If you have symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19), however mild, you should begin self-isolating and book a PCR test. These are available for free.
You should continue to isolate until the result of the test is available.
If the PCR result is positive you should isolate for 10 days from the date the PCR test was taken or the date symptoms started, whichever is sooner.
This means that if, for example, your symptoms started at any time on the 15th of the month (or if you did not have symptoms but your first positive COVID-19 test was taken on the 15th), your isolation period ends at 11.59 pm on the 25th of the month.
If you have taken a lateral flow test (LFT) and the result is positive you should isolate for 10 days from the date the LFT test was taken. You no longer need to book a PCR test.
Ending isolation early
You may be able to end your self-isolation period before the end of the 10 full days provided you have two negative lateral flow tests (LFT) taken 24 hours apart.
You can take the first LFT from day six of your isolation period. The second should be taken the following day at least 24 hours later.
If both these test results are negative, and you do not have a high temperature, you may end your self-isolation after the second negative test result.
The earliest you can end isolation is on day seven (providing the LFTs on day six and seven are both negative).
Report your LFD test results after taking each test.
If either your day six or seven test are positive you can test again the following day.
You should only end your self-isolation after you have had two consecutive negative LFD tests which should be taken at least 24 hours apart.
You should stop testing after you have had two consecutive negative test results.
You can end self-isolation as long as you do not still have a high temperature.
If you still have a high temperature, you need to continue to self-isolate until your temperature has returned to normal for 48 hours.
You do not need to continue self-isolating for more than seven days if you only have a cough or loss of sense of smell/ taste, as these symptoms can last for several weeks after the infection has gone.
This guidance also applies to children and young people who usually attend an education or childcare setting.
If you leave self-isolation on or after day seven following two negative lateral flow results, you are strongly advised to limit close contact with other people in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces and to minimise contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19.
Close contacts of COVID-19
If you are a close contact of someone who has tested positive for COVID-19, self-isolation and testing requirements will depend on whether you’re fully vaccinated, your age and where you work.
A close contact can be:
- anyone who lives in the same household as someone with COVID-19 symptoms or who has tested positive for COVID-19
or
- anyone who has had any of the following types of contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 with a PCR test:
- face-to-face contact including being coughed on or having a face-to-face conversation within one metre
- skin-to-skin physical contact for any length of time
- been within one metre for one minute or longer without face-to-face contact
- sexual contacts
- been within two metres of someone for more than 15 minutes (either as a one-off contact, or added up together over one day)
- travelled in the same vehicle
- travelled in the same plane
Adults who are not fully vaccinated
If you are aged 18 and over and you are either unvaccinated, have had one dose only, or if it is less than 14 days since your second dose:
- you should self-isolate immediately for 10 days following last contact with the positive person
- you do not need to book a PCR test unless you develop symptoms
If you are not able to be vaccinated for a clinical reason, you should follow the guidance above.
Fully vaccinated close contacts
If you are fully vaccinated (more than 14 days since you received the second dose of an approved COVID-19 vaccine) or you have taken part in an approved COVID-19 vaccine trial, you do not need to take a PCR test.
You are advised to isolate and take a lateral flow device (LFD) test as soon as possible.
If this is negative you can stop isolating but should continue to take daily lateral flow tests until the tenth day after the last date of contact with the positive case.
The lateral flow should ideally be taken before you leave the house for the first time each day.
If any lateral flow test is positive, you should isolate immediately. You no longer need to book a PCR test.
If at any time you develop symptoms, you should isolate immediately and book a PCR even if the lateral flow test is negative.
Even if you’re fully vaccinated, if you have been identified as a close contact, you are advised not to visit hospitals or care homes for 10 days and to minimise contact with those known to be at higher risk of severe illness if they contract COVID-19 for 10 days.
School aged children (including children of primary school age) and young people who are not fully vaccinated
You are advised to isolate and take a lateral flow device (LFD) test as soon as possible.
If this is negative you can stop isolating but should continue to take daily lateral flow tests until the tenth day after the last date of contact with the positive case.
The lateral flow should ideally be taken before you leave the house for the first time each day.
If any lateral flow test is positive, you should isolate immediately. You no longer need to book a PCR test.
If at any time- you develop symptoms, you should isolate immediately and book a PCR even if the lateral flow test is negative.
Information on how close contacts are identified and managed in schools and other structured and supervised settings is available at:
Children under the age of five who are close contacts
It is no longer necessary for children under five years of age to take a PCR test – even if they have symptoms like a cough or temperature - unless advised to do so by their doctor.
If they develop symptoms and are identified as a close contact of a positive case, parents are encouraged to carry out a lateral flow test.
If this is negative, daily lateral flow tests are not required, however if a child has been identified as a close contact and has symptoms there is an increased risk that the child may have COVID-19.
If a lateral flow test result is positive the child has COVID and should isolate. There is no need to do a PCR test.
If it is not possible to carry out any test because the child will not tolerate the swab, parents and carers should take a cautious approach and avoid contact with vulnerable and older adults.
They should also stay at home until they do not have a temperature and are well enough to return to school or childcare. .
Health and Social Care workers
If you are a fully vaccinated, health and social care worker and identified as a close contact, you may not be able to attend the workplace during the 10 day period following last contact.
You should refer to the separate guidance for health and social care workers and discuss with your manager if you can attend the workplace.
Ways to make self-isolating more manageable
While staying at home it can be helpful to:
- ask for support – let friends and family know you might need help walking the dog, taking the children to school or looking after relatives
- talk to your boss if you can’t go to work to see what arrangements can be put in place
- use delivery services, if possible, to deliver things like food shopping and medicines
- order repeat prescriptions by phone or online and ask your pharmacy about getting your medication delivered
- think of other ways to keep in contact with people
- develop a daily routine -get up at the same time as normal and plan how you will spend your day – cooking, reading, tidying, watching TV
- listen to the radio or an audio book if your home feels too quiet
- get as much fresh air as possible
If possible try and build some physical activity into your daily routine such as cleaning or just getting up and walking about the house.
Reducing the spread of COVID-19 within your household
If you have COVID-19, there are practical steps that you can take to protect the members of your household.
If possible, you should try and arrange for one room in your home to be just for you. Try to spend the majority of your time in this room. This could include eating or sleeping.
Ask the people you live with to help by bringing your meals to your door if possible.
If possible, use a separate bathroom too.
Shared spaces
Spend as little time as possible in shared spaces such as kitchens, bathrooms and sitting areas. Avoid using shared spaces such as kitchens and other living areas while others are present.
You should try to limit how long you are in a room with others and keep your distance. The more distance you can keep between you, the less chance there is of spreading the virus.
Wear a face covering when spending time in shared areas inside your home to minimise the risk of spread to others.
Ventilation
Keep your house well-ventilated by opening a window to stop the virus collecting in the air. If it's cold outside, it still helps if you can open the window even slightly to allow the air to circulate. Then open windows wider for short, sharp bursts of 10 to 15 minutes regularly throughout the day where it is possible to do so.
Cleaning
Frequently clean surfaces in your home and wash your hands regularly.
Pay particular attention to shared areas of the home, such as kitchens, bathrooms and surfaces that are frequently touched, such as taps, toilet, fridge, door handles, tables and kettles.
Try to avoid sharing or touching things that other people have used, unless you know that they have been cleaned recently with disinfectant. This includes towels, taps and toothbrushes.
Financial support and self-isolating
Financial support may be available if you are in a financial crisis or need short term support whilst self-isolating.
Looking after your mental wellbeing
You may find that social distancing and staying at home can be boring, frustrating or lonely and that your mood and feelings are affected.
You may feel low, worried or have problems sleeping and you might miss being with other people.
There is advice and guidance about how to look after your mental wellbeing:
NHS 111 service
You can ring NHS 111 for information or advice and they will help you decide if you need to contact your GP. Calling your GP may be necessary if you:
- have an existing health condition
- have problems with your immune system
- feel you're not coping with your symptoms
A remote interpreting service for British Sign Language (BSL) and Irish Sign Language (ISL) users in Northern Ireland has been introduced to provide access to NHS 111 and Health and Social Care services during the COVID-19 pandemic. More information is available at:
Advice for blind and partially sighted people
RNIB NI and Guide Dogs have put together advice for blind and partially sighted people during the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes contact information and advice on how to get support in your local community.