Information on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Updated 13 December 2021.
For the most up to date information about COVID-19 be sure to check Gov.uk.
If you think you might have coronavirus
Symptoms
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A high temperature
- A new, continuous cough
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Loss or change in sense of smell or taste
Most people with symptoms have at least one of these.
Many people with COVID-19 do not have symptoms but can still infect others. This is why everyone is advised to get tested regularly.
Find out about regular rapid COVID-19 tests
What to do if you have these symptoms
- Get a PCR test to check if you have COVID-19
- You will need to stay at home and not have visitors until you get your test result.
- Anyone you live with or have come into close contact with might need to self-isolate. They will also need to take a PCR test.
Find our more and order a PCR test
Get help from NHS 111 if:
- You are worried about your symptoms
- You are not sure what to do
How to self isolate if you or someone in your house has coronavirus
If you’ve come into contact with someone who may have or has been infected with the Omicron variant, you must self-isolate for 10 days, regardless of your age, vaccination status or any negative test results.
This means:
- Do not go to work, school, or public areas
- Do not use public transport or taxis
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Do not go out to get food and medicine – order it online or by phone, or ask someone to bring it to your home
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Do not have visitors in your home, including friends and family – except for people providing essential care
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Do not go out to exercise – exercise at home or in your garden, if you have one
Your isolation period includes the day the first person in your household’s symptoms started (or the day their test was taken if they did not have symptoms, whether this was an LFD or PCR test), and the next 10 full days.
For more information about when to self isolate and what this means for families visit the NHS website.
How to avoid catching or spreading germs
Do:
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Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze.
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Put used tissues in the bin straight away.
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Wash your hands with soap and water often, and for 20 seconds – use hand sanitiser gel if soap and water are not available.
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Try to avoid close contact with people who are unwell.
Don't:
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Do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean.
Face masks - when to wear one
Face coverings are now required by law in most indoor public spaces and on public transport, including buses, trains and taxis.
Face coverings are not required in hospitality venues where food and drinks are consumed, such as pubs and cafes, during exercise, such as in the gym, or when dancing, such as in a nightclub.
In indoor settings where face masks are not a legal requirement, it is still recommended that you wear one in enclosed or crowded spaces where you might come into contact with people you might not normally meet.
Getting tested for COVID-19
For guidance on coronavirus testing, including who is eligible for a test, how to get tested and the different types of tests, check out our article with all the information you need to know.
Further information
NHS England has produced a list of common questions about coronavirus, covering advice for you and your family, how it's caught and spread, prevention, self-isolation, testing and treatment and foreign travel.
Other places for information:
