Self-isolating due to COVID-19

You may be asked to self-isolate for a number of reasons including a positive test for you, someone in your household, if you've been contacted by the NHS Test and Trace service or whether you are experiencing coronavirus (COVID-19) symptoms.

For further information on recognising and managing the symptoms of coronavirus while self-isolating visit the NHS website.

Visit the NHS website

This page contains further information on the importance of self-isolating as well as accessing the Test and Trace Support Payment for people on low income who are required to self-isolate.

How do I self-isolate?

From Monday 28 September you must self-isolate if told to do so by test and trace staff either from the NHS or Preston City Council.

This now carries a penalty of up to £10,000 for non-compliance and you must not do the following:

• You must not leave your home if you're self-isolating
• You must not go out to exercise - exercise at home or in your garden, if you have a garden 
• You must not have visitors in your home, including friends and family - except for people providing essential care
• You must not go out to get food and medicine - order it online or by phone, or ask someone to bring it to your home
• You must not go on public transport or use taxis
• You must not go to work, school or public places - work from home if you can

Businesses and employers may also be liable if you knowingly enable or encourage employees to break the law on self-isolation.

A test and trace support payment system has been established to support residents struggling to self-isolate due to financial constraints. There is further information on this below.

Why does self-isolation matter?

Ensuring infected individuals and their close contacts isolate is key to controlling the transmission of coronavirus.

It can take up to 14 days for symptoms to develop once a person has caught the virus, and in this time it could be unknowingly passed on to other people.

A person diagnosed with coronavirus can remain infectious to other people for up to 10 days after development symptoms.

Self-isolating helps prevent family, friends and the community from contracting coronavirus, as well as helping to protect the health and care system.

How long do I have to self-isolate for?

If you have tested positive for coronavirus you will be legally obliged to self-isolate for 10 days beginning from when you first noticed your symptoms.

If you were not displaying symptoms at the time of your test the 10 day period should begin from the date of your test.

Other members of your household must self-isolate for 14 days beginning from the date of the infected person first displaying symptoms, or if asymptomatic (not displaying symptoms) from the date of their test.

Contacts outside of the infected person's household will be told how long to self-isolate for by the NHS test and trace team.

Please call NHS 119 or visit the NHS website - How long to self-isolate for more information.

Test and trace support payments (£500 self isolation payment)

The test and trace support payment has been introduced to support residents who are struggling to self-isolate due to financial reasons.

The aim of the scheme is to ensure residents on low incomes self-isolate when they test positive or are identified as a contact.