People living in England who are suffering from a cough or a cold will be urged to 'stay at home' and to avoid other people under new Covid-19 guidance. The guidelines are to be released by the Government on April 1.
Under the new guidance those with a respiratory illness, such as a high temperature or 'who feel unwell' will be encouraged to stay home until they feel well or their temperature has gone. However, the legal requirement to self-isolate after a positive Covid-19 test in England ended on February 24 and has not been reintroduced.
But despite the legal requirement being lifted those with a positive Covid test will be encouraged to 'try to' stay at home and avoid people for five days. The five day period is when people are most infectious.
If those who test positive do need to leave their home they will be asked to wear a mask, avoid crowded places and stay away from those with weak immune systems. Children who are unwell and who have a high temperature are being advised to stay home and only go back to school when they no longer have a high temperature.
The new guidance is part of the Government's Living with Covid plans. The plans will also be updated to say that some NHS, social care and hospice staff without covid symptoms will be eligible for free tests.
However, routine tests for care home and hospice residents will no longer continue and will only be provided if there is an outbreak or a resident is being admitted. Hospital and care home visitors will not be required to take a test.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said that those hospital patients, some people at a high risk of severe Covid-19 infection and those working in -high-risk settings' will be eligible for free tests if they have symptoms. The latter group includes some NHS staff, social care workers and prison staff. Free universal testing is due to end on Friday.
Mr Javid said: “Thanks to our plan to tackle Covid we are leading the way in learning to live with the virus. We have made enormous progress but will keep the ability to respond to future threats including potential variants. Vaccines remain our best defence and we are now offering spring boosters to the elderly, care home residents and the most vulnerable – please come forward to protect yourself, your family and your community.”
The Department for Health and Social Care (DHSC) said that it will publish information on Friday for employers to reduce the risks of Covid-19 in the workplace. However, from Friday venues and events will no longer be advised to use the NHS Covid pass.
