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Protect yourself and others from COVID-19

If you have any symptoms of COVID-19 and feel unwell, you should:

You do not need a COVID-19 test unless a GP or health professional tells you to. If you choose to do one, there is different advice to follow if you have a positive COVID-19 test.

Non-urgent advice: Phone your GP if

you have symptoms of COVID-19 and you:

Do not go to your GP or to a pharmacy in person.

Prevent the spread of COVID-19

There are other things you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Do

  • wash your hands properly and often

  • cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve - put used tissues into a bin and wash your hands

  • check that visitors to your home or workplace do not have symptoms of COVID-19, colds or flu

  • let fresh air into your home by opening windows, doors and air vents as much as possible

  • clean objects and surfaces that other people touch

Don't

  • do not touch your eyes, nose or mouth if your hands are not clean

  • do not share objects that touch your mouth, for example, bottles or cups

  • do not shake hands or make close contact with other people, if possible

  • do not wear disposable gloves instead of washing your hands - your hands can get contaminated when you take them off

How COVID-19 is spread

When not to meet other people

You should not meet someone else if you:

Check with people before you meet them to make sure they are symptom-free and feeling well.

Advice for people at very high risk from COVID-19

Page last reviewed: 18 April 2023