Self Isolation guidance from Hertfordshire County Council
For easy read, or translated versions of the self-isolation guidance, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
Self-isolation means that you must not leave your home except in an emergency.
You can be asked to self-isolate by Test and Trace, a nursery, school, college, university, workplace or by any health professional – even if you have no symptoms, you must follow these rules:
Do not:
visit family or friends
go to any shops or supermarkets - instead order food online or ask for help
go outside to exercise or walk your dog
go to work, university, college or school - instead work or study from home if you can
use public transport, taxis or share a car
attend parties or other events, even if these are outside.
| If... | Self-isolate for... |
| If you develop symptoms | 10 days from start of symptoms |
| If you test positive | 10 days from start of symptoms or test day if none |
| If you are told you’ve been in close contact with someone who has tested positive | 14 from last contact with the positive case |
| If you have been contacted by the Test and Trace service | 14 from last contact with positive case |
| If you live in a household where others (including children) develop symptoms or they have tested positive | 14 from when they developed symptoms or test day if none |
| If you have been sent home and told to self-isolate as part of a bubble. Other household members do not need to self-isolate unless someone in the household develops symptoms or tests positive | 14 from last contact with positive case |
Day 0 - Hannah was exposed to coronavirus
Day 5 - Hannah got tested and was negative
Day 7 - Thinking she didn’t have coronavirus, Hannah attended school, and was in close contact with 17 people.
Day 9 - Hannah developed symptoms and tested positive. She was contagious for 48 hours before her symptoms started, and exposed 17 people to coronavirus. These 17 people now all need to self-isolate for 14 days.
This is why its so important to self-isolate for the allocated time and to only book a test if you develop symptoms.
You can get help with the following:
Help and advice is available for anyone who needs it in Hertfordshire; people and families, in need of support, please contact HertsHelp.
Visit www.hertshelp.net
Email info@hertshelp.net
Call 0300 123 4044
Guidance for households with symptoms
The most important symptoms of coronavirus (COVID-19) are recent onset of any of the following:
For most people, coronavirus (COVID-19) will be a mild illness. However, if you have any of the symptoms above you must stay at home and arrange to have a test to see if you have COVID-19 – go to testing to arrange.
This is for areas with a higher or rapidly rising level of infections, where some additional restrictions need to be in place.
In Tier 2:
you must not socialise with anyone you do not live with or who is not in your support bubble in any indoor setting, whether at home or in a public place
you must not socialise in a group of more than 6 people outside, including in a garden or a public space – this is called the ‘rule of 6’
businesses and venues can continue to operate, in a COVID-Secure manner, other than those which remain closed by law, such as nightclubs
pubs and bars must close, unless operating as restaurants. Hospitality venues can only serve alcohol with substantial meals
hospitality businesses selling food or drink for consumption on their premises are required to:
provide table service only, in premises which sell alcohol
close between 11pm and 5am (hospitality venues in airports, ports, transport services and motorway service areas are exempt)
stop taking orders after 10pm
hospitality businesses and venues selling food and drink for consumption off the premises can continue to do so after 10pm as long as this is through delivery service, click-and-collect or drive-through
early closure (11pm) applies to casinos, cinemas, theatres, museums, bowling alleys, amusement arcades, funfairs, theme parks, adventure parks and activities, and bingo halls. Cinemas, theatres and concert halls can stay open beyond 11pm in order to conclude performances that start before 10pm
public attendance at outdoor and indoor events (performances and shows) is permitted, limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
public attendance at spectator sport and business events can resume inside and outside, subject to social contact rules and limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
places of worship remain open but you must not socialise with people from outside of your household or support bubble while you are indoors there, unless a legal exemption applies
weddings and funerals can go ahead with restrictions on numbers of attendees – 15 people can attend wedding ceremonies and receptions, 30 people can attend funeral ceremonies, and 15 people can attend linked commemorative events such as wakes or stonesettings.
organised outdoor sport, and physical activity and exercise classes can continue
organised indoor sport, physical activity and exercise classes will only be permitted if it is possible for people to avoid mixing with people they do not live with (or share a support bubble with). There are exceptions for indoor disability sport, sport for educational purposes and supervised sport and physical activity for under-18s, which can take place with larger groups mixing
you can continue to travel to venues or amenities which are open, but should aim to reduce the number of journeys you make where possible
if you live in a tier 2 area, you must continue to follow tier 2 rules when you travel to a tier 1 area. Avoid travel to or overnight stays in tier 3 areas other than where necessary, such as for work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.You can travel through a tier 3 area as a part of a longer journey
for international travel see the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice for your destination and the travel corridors list
Find out more about the measures that apply in Tier 2 areas
The full stay at home guidance for households with these symptoms can be found here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance
Guidance for parents and carers on supporting children and young people’s mental health and wellbeing during the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak:
The Department for Education coronavirus helpline is available to answer questions about COVID-19 relating to education and children’s social care. Staff, parents and young people can contact this helpline as follows:
Phone: 0800 046 8687
Opening hours: 8am to 6pm (Monday to Friday)
Please note, we are currently experiencing high volumes of calls and apologise for any wait that you may experience. Your call will join a queue and we will answer as soon as possible.
How to wash your hands properly
Wash your hands more often for 20 seconds with soap and hot water.
Watch this short NHS film for guidance:
Teach young children how to wash their hands with the NHS handwashing song:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S9VjeIWLnEg
Public Health England recommends that in addition to handwashing before eating, and after coughing and sneezing, everyone should also wash hands after using toilets and travelling on public transport.