With new rules and advice, it’s easy to lose the thread. We’ve listed 10 important ones to remember.
- Take up the coronavirus vaccine as soon as you are eligible and invited to do so
- If you are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for the Omicron variant, you must self-isolate for ten full days, regardless of your vaccination status or PCR test result.
- In the Prime Minister’s announcement this week, he said that the intention is to introduce daily contact tests for contacts of confirmed positive cases of Omicron who are fully vaccinated, instead of the ten-day self-isolation period. Until then though, you need to self-isolate.
- If you are identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus, but not the Omicron variant, you do not need to self-isolate if you are fully vaccinated. If you are not fully vaccinated, you are required to self-isolate for ten days. We would encourage any close contacts of COVID cases, however, to take a PCR test.
- If you develop symptoms of coronavirus, you must self-isolate pending the result of a PCR test
- If you are meeting others, try to do so outside; and if meeting indoors, make sure there is lots of ventilation. Even having the window open for ten minutes at a time helps to reduce the risk of transmission
- Face coverings are required in a range of situations now, including public transport, shops and a whole lot more. Here’s the updated list for where you need to wear your face covering
- Even in places where it’s not currently a requirement, wearing a face covering, especially when indoors or in a confined space with people who you do not live with, reduces the risk of transmission
- If you show no symptoms, regularly use lateral flow device tests – whenever you are meeting up with people or are in high risk places, such as indoor spaces with other people
- Washing your hands regularly and properly is an effective way of reducing the spread of viruses