People experiencing symptoms of such as a runny nose or headache have been advised to stay at home, despite a negative Covid test.
In a statement issued by the Department of Health, a spokesperson outlined symptoms of Rhinovirus which they'd encourage those experiencing to stay home.
On Tuesday morning's The Nolan Show, the advice on Rhinovirus from the Department was outlined in detail.
Read more: NI PCR test changes for most people with symptoms
A DoH spokesperson said: "NI’s current official advice on COVID-19, as detailed on NI Direct, already acknowledges that symptoms may vary and may not be limited to the three central symptoms identified at the outset of the pandemic.
As NI Direct states, COVID-19 symptoms “may be similar to the cold or flu” and “may vary for different age groups or different variants of the virus”.
"COVID PCR and Lateral Flow Tests are still available free to the general public in Northern Ireland.
"People in Northern Ireland with one of the three original symptoms of COVID (cough, temperature or loss of smell and taste) are still advised to stay at home and book a PCR test. These continue to be available to everyone in Northern Ireland up to 22 April.
"If you have other symptoms of a respiratory virus (such as runny nose, sore throat or headache) you can take a LFD test. Even if you don’t have COVID, your symptoms may be caused by another respiratory virus such as rhinovirus which can be easily passed on to others.
"It is therefore advisable to stay at home if you can and reduce contact with others when you have respiratory virus symptoms to avoid spreading infection to others."
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