How to isolate - coronavirus (COVID-19)

Do not allow anyone to visit your home, unless it’s for emergency, medical, or other essential care. That may include home care workers and nurses. You need to tell them you have COVID-19 before they arrive so they can prepare themselves to look after you.

If you live with an elderly person or someone with a compromised immune system or chronic illness, such as asthma or diabetes, they should stay elsewhere if they are able to. This is because they are at greater risk of being very sick if they get COVID-19.

As much as possible, you should stay away from other people you live with. This may include keeping 1.5 meters away from them, sleeping in a separate room and using a separate bathroom. Avoid shared areas, and avoid close contact with others, including touching, kissing, hugging and other intimate contact.

Always cover your mouth when you sneeze or cough, preferably with a tissue or your sleeve when you don’t have a tissue. Throw out any used tissues straight away in a rubbish bin.

Wash your hands with soap and running water for at least 20 seconds regularly, and especially after you cough, sneeze, blow your nose or take off gloves and masks. You can use alcohol-based hand sanitiser if your hands are not visibly dirty.

You should not share cups, glasses, plates, utensils, towels or bedding with others in your home. These items should not be used by others until they are cleaned thoroughly with detergent and water or in a dishwasher or washing machine.

If you have COVID-19, you should avoid being in the same room with others, but if you do need to be in the same room, always wear a face mask.

Open doors and windows as much as you can to have good airflow, particularly in shared areas.

Clean frequently touched surfaces every day with a normal household cleaning product. This includes tabletops, doorknobs, taps, sinks, phones, keyboards, remote controls and bedside tables. Pay particular attention to the kitchen, laundry and bathroom.