What is the guidance around covid right now?

With rules changing frequently, it can be hard to keep up with the current covid situation and what the covid rules are, so here they are.

• We are not required by law to self isolate or test for covid
• Self isolation best practise
  • It is still best to self-isolate if you have covid symptoms (cough, high temperature or chills, loss of smell or taste, aches, exhaustion, shortness of breath) or a positive test result
  • Avoid close contact with people if you suspect you have covid, especially those who may be more vulnerable
  • Isolate for 5 days from symptoms or positive test
  • You can still be contagious after 10 days so continue to isolate if you can and be extra cautious
  • Children seem to be contagious for less time so can go back to normal activity if they feel well and don’t have a temperature after 3 days
• If you do have to go out or come into close contact with people
  • Wear a face covering that fits snugly against your face and has more than 1 layer (search FFP2 mask)
  • Avoid touching your face and wash your hands for 20 seconds with soap and water, or use hand sanitiser if you do cough or sneeze into your hands or touch your face, and before eating
  • Keep in areas with lots of fresh air, ideally outdoors, or open the windows
• Testing
  • All free PCR and lateral flow testing has ended – you can no longer order any tests from gov.uk (in England)
  • NHS workers will still be able to access tests through their work, and they should have been informed as to how
  • Members of the public can buy lateral flow tests (approx £2 per test) from high street shops, pharmacies and supermarkets. You will not be able to record the result of these tests on the NHS app/website, they are just for personal use
• Face masks
  • Face coverings are still required in health and care settings like GPs, hospitals, dentists and care homes
  • Well fitting masks are much more effective, make sure yours has has no gaps for water vapour to escape when wearing it
• Getting medical help
  • If your symptoms are bad or getting worse instead of better after a few days and you’re worried, call 111 for medical advice. Only in life threatening situations or an emergency should you go to A&E – hospitals are currently very busy
  • Do not visit your GP or the hospital if you suspect you have covid. If you have an existing appointment in your contagious period rearrange it

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This short overview is of the current guidance about what to do about covid right now, in April 2022.

This page on the gov.uk website has the most up to date information: What to do if you have covid or covid symptoms

The NHS Leeds CCG website is the best place to get local information and recommendations around covid, and gov.uk is the best for national information.

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