How long to self-isolate

How long you need to self-isolate

If you test positive, your self-isolation period includes the day your symptoms started (or the day you had the test, if you do not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days.

If you get symptoms while you're self-isolating, the 10 days restarts from the day after your symptoms started.

When to stop self-isolating

You can do a rapid lateral flow test from day 5 of your self-isolation period (but not before) and another test the next day. You can stop self-isolating if:

• both tests are negative
• you do not have a high temperature

Report your test result after each test.

You should stop testing after you’ve had 2 negative test results in a row.

If you stop self-isolating after 5 full days, it's important that you take steps to reduce the chance of passing COVID-19 to others. This means you should:

• work from home if you can
• wear a face covering in shops, on public transport and when it's hard to stay away from other people – particularly indoors, in crowded places or where there is not much fresh air
• limit contact with people at higher risk of serious illness from COVID-19
• follow advice on how to avoid catching and spreading COVID-19

You can stop self-isolating after the 10 days if either:

• you do not have any symptoms
• you just have a cough or changes to your sense of smell or taste – these can last for weeks after the infection has gone.

You do not need to do any more rapid lateral flow tests after day 10 of your self-isolation period.

When to keep self-isolating after 10 days

If you have a high temperature after the 10 days, or are feeling unwell, keep self-isolating and seek medical advice.

Check if you need to self-isolate first. You may not need to self-isolate in certain situations. Read more about when to self-isolate and what to do.

How long you need to self-isolate

If someone you live with tests positive, your self-isolation period includes the day their symptoms started (or the day they had the test, if they do not have symptoms) and the next 10 full days.

When to stop self-isolating

You can stop self-isolating after the 10 days if you do not get any symptoms.

What to do if you get symptoms

Get PCR a test to check if you have COVID-19 on GOV.UK if you get symptoms while you're self-isolating.

If your test is negative, keep self-isolating for the rest of the 10 days.

If your test is positive, the 10 days restarts from the day after your symptoms started. This will mean you're self-isolating for more than 10 days overall.

Self-isolate immediately if either:

• you get a text, email or call from NHS Test and Trace telling you to self-isolate
• you get an alert from the NHS COVID-19 app telling you to self-isolate

Your self-isolation period includes the day you were last in contact with the person who tested positive for COVID-19 and the next 10 full days.

It's a legal requirement to self-isolate if you are told to by NHS Test and Trace. You could be fined if you do not self-isolate.

Find out what to do if you've been told to self-isolate by NHS Test and Trace