If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, even mild ones, you should:
- self-isolate (stay in your room) until 48 hours after your symptoms are mostly or fully gone
- wear a face mask if you have to be around other people
Do these even if you completed your first round of COVID-19 vaccination, had a booster, or had COVID-19 in the past.
Certain groups of people with symptoms should get a COVID-19 test.
Prevent the spread of COVID-19
There are other things you can do to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
Do
- get a COVID-19 vaccine and booster dose when it's available to you
- keep at least 2 metres (around 6 feet) away from people you do not live with
- wash your hands properly and often
- wear a face mask in crowded places outdoors and when you move around in public indoor spaces
- cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or your sleeve - put used tissues into a bin and wash your hands
- meet people outdoors where possible
- try to avoid crowded places where you cannot keep a distance from people - there's a greater risk of infection in crowded and enclosed places
- 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 when you have visitors
- 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 gloves instead of washing your hands - your hands can get contaminated when you take them off
Read about how COVID-19 is spread
When not to meet other people
You should not meet someone else if you:
- have any symptoms of COVID-19
- have had a positive test result
Check with people before you meet them to make sure they are symptom-free and feeling well.
Read advice for people at very high risk from COVID-19
Last updated: 2 March 2022 at 12pm