From Tuesday 11 January, if you test positive for COVID-19 using a Lateral Flow Test (LFT) and don’t have symptoms you will no longer need a confirmatory PCR test.
If you have symptoms, you will still need to arrange the PCR test to confirm your positivity. In either case, you must stay at home and self-isolate. You will need to self-isolate for up to 10 days but you may be able to end self-isolation early using LFT.
You should take a LFT 6 days after your symptoms started (or 6 days from the day of your test if you did not have symptoms) and another LFT 24 hours later. Note that day one is the day after your symptoms started, or your positive LFT.
If both of these tests are negative, and you do not have a high temperature you may end your self-isolation after day 7.
If one of the tests comes back positive you should continue to self-isolate and test again 24 hours later. It is important that you do not test before day six of your self-isolation or end your self-isolation before day 10 unless you have received two negative test results.
If you still have a high temperature you will need to continue to self-isolate until 10 days after the start of your symptoms or the date of your test.
If you received a negative test on day 6 and on day 7 you may return to work on day 8, providing you feel well and do not still have a high temperature.
If you end your self-isolation before 10 days it is strongly advised that;
- You limit close contact with people outside of your household, especially in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces
- Continue to work from home if this is possible
- Wear a face covering in crowded, enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces where you are in close contact with others
- Limit contact with anyone who is known to be at higher risk of serious illness if infected with COVID-19
