Changes from May 1, 2022
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What is changing
As stated in the changes to the test plan and protection of the test transition, contact tracking and isolation will take effect from 1 May. Revised public health advice is provided below.
This guide will be effective on Sunday, May 1, 2022. For guidance on and including Saturday, April 30, 2022, please visit NHS Inform.
If you are in the middle of a period of self-isolation, you should follow the revised guidelines from May 1.
If you tested positive, you should follow the revised “stay at home” guide for 3 days if you are under 18, or for 5 days if you are over 18. The way I count these days has changed. Day 1 is the day after you take the test.
If you have been identified as a close contact, you should stop your daily LFD tests on May 1 and may leave the isolation if you feel well. If you later develop a fever or feel unwell with respiratory symptoms, you should follow the revised guidelines to stay at home.
As of May 1, 2022, most people no longer have to take the COVID-19 test and must follow the instructions to stay home if they are not well.
Testing remains available for specific groups, including clinical care, health and social workers, and people visiting nursing homes or hospitals.
As we learn to live safely with COVID-19, there are actions we can all take to reduce the risk of contracting COVID-19 and passing it on to others. These actions will also help reduce the spread of other respiratory infections. COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, such as influenza, can spread easily and cause serious illness in some people.
Vaccinations are very effective in preventing serious diseases from COVID-19, but even if you are vaccinated, there is a chance that you will catch COVID-19 or another respiratory infection and pass it on to others.
Who is this guide for?
Most people no longer have access to free tests for COVID-19. This guide is in 2 parts:
- Actions you can take to protect other people if you are not well with symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19, and have not been tested for COVID-19.
- Tips for people who have taken a COVID-19 test and tested positive.
There are separate guidelines for people who have been informed by the NHS that they are at greatest risk of becoming seriously ill and who may be eligible for new treatment with COVID-19.
There are also additional guidelines for those working in health and social care facilities.
People at higher risk of developing a serious respiratory infection, including COVID-19
People who are at higher risk for COVID-19 and other respiratory infections include:
The risk of becoming seriously ill with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections is very low for most children and young people.
Some children under the age of 2, especially those with heart disease or premature birth, as well as very young babies, are at increased risk of hospitalization due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
You will not always know if someone you come in contact with outside of your home is at higher risk of becoming seriously ill. They may be strangers (such as people you sit on next to on public transport) or people you may be in regular contact with (such as friends and co-workers). This means that it is important to follow the advice in this guide to reduce the spread of infection and help keep others safe.
Symptoms of respiratory infections, including COVID-19
Respiratory infections can easily spread among people. It is important to be aware of the symptoms so that you can take action to reduce the risk of your infection spreading to others.
The symptoms of COVID-19 and other respiratory infections are very similar. It is not possible to tell if you have COVID-19, the flu or any other respiratory infection based on the symptoms alone. Most people with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections will have a relatively mild illness, especially if they have been vaccinated.
If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a fever or do not feel well enough to go to work or perform normal activities, we recommend that you stay home and avoid contact with other people.
Symptoms of COVID-19, influenza and frequent respiratory infections include:
- prolonged cough
- fever, chills or chills
- loss or change in your normal sense of taste or smell
- Lack of air
- unexplained fatigue, lack of energy
- muscle aches or pain not due to exercise
- do not want to eat or do not feel hungry
- headache that is unusual or longer than usual
- sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
- diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
- prolonged cough
- fever, chills or chills
- loss or change in your normal sense of taste or smell
- Lack of air
- unexplained fatigue, lack of energy
- muscle aches or pain not due to exercise
- do not want to eat or do not feel hungry
- headache that is unusual or longer than usual
- sore throat, stuffy or runny nose
- diarrhea, nausea or vomiting
If you do not feel well with these symptoms, you should rest a lot and drink water to maintain hydration. You can use medicines such as paracetamol to relieve your symptoms. Antibiotics are not recommended for viral respiratory infections because they will not relieve your symptoms or speed up your recovery.
In some cases, you may continue to have a cough or feel tired after your other symptoms have improved, but this does not mean that you are still contagious.
You can find information about these symptoms on the NHS Inform website.
If you are concerned about your symptoms or are getting worse, seek medical attention by contacting NHS 24. In an emergency, dial 999.
What to do if you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, including COVID-19, and you have not been tested for COVID-19
Stay at home and avoid contact with other people
If you have symptoms of a respiratory infection, such as COVID-19, and you have a fever or do not feel well enough to go to work or perform normal activities, stay home and avoid contact with other people until you have fever (if you have had one) or until you stop feeling unwell.
It is especially important to avoid close contact with anyone you know is at higher risk of becoming seriously ill if they are infected with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections, especially those whose immune system means they are exposed to more -high risk of serious illness, despite vaccination.
Work from home if you can. If you can’t work from home, talk to your employer about the options available to you.
If you have been asked to attend a medical or dental check-up in person, contact your healthcare provider and let them know about your symptoms.
You may want to ask friends, family, or neighbors to provide you with food and other necessities.
It is recommended to:
- inform people you have recently been in contact with that you are feeling unwell. Informing friends and family helps them be wary of such signs or symptoms
- Avoid close contact with anyone you know who is at higher risk of serious illness, especially people with weakened immune systems.
- work from home if you can. If you can’t work from home, talk to your employer about the options available to you.
If you leave home
If you leave home while you have symptoms of a respiratory infection and have a fever or feel unwell, avoid close contact with anyone you know has a higher risk of serious illness, especially those whose immune system means they are at higher risk of serious disease despite vaccination.
The following actions will reduce the chance of passing your infection on to others:
- wearing a well-fitting multi-layer face mask or surgical face mask
- avoid crowded places such as public transport, large social gatherings or anywhere that is closed or poorly ventilated
- do all kinds of outdoor exercises in places where you will not have close contact with other people
- cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze; wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds or use hand sanitizer after coughing, sneezing and blowing your nose and before eating or handling food; avoid touching your face
Reduce the spread of infection in your household
Until you are well, there is a high risk of passing the infection on to others in your household. Here are some simple things you can do to prevent it from spreading:
- keep your distance from the people you live with
- in common areas, wear a well-fitting multi-layer face mask or surgical face mask, especially if you live with people whose immune systems mean they are at higher risk of serious illness despite vaccination.
- ventilate the rooms you have been in by opening the windows and leaving them open for at least 10 minutes after leaving the room
- wash your hands regularly and cover your mouth and nose when coughing or sneezing
- regularly clean frequently touched surfaces, such as door handles and remote controls, and common areas such as kitchens and bathrooms
- Advise anyone who needs to enter your home that you have symptoms so that they can take precautions to protect themselves, such as wearing a well-fitting face or surgical face mask, keeping a distance if they can, and wash your hands regularly
There are additional guidelines on how to protect yourself and others from living safely with respiratory infections, including COVID-19.
How to manage your symptoms
Most people with COVID-19 and other respiratory infections will have a relatively mild illness, especially if you are up to date with COVID-19 vaccinations.
If you do not feel well with the following symptoms:
- you have to get a lot …
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