Self- isolation! What to do and when to do it?

What is self-isolation?

Self-isolation means staying away from other people and staying by yourself in your own room or house. Isolation can be forced too, by doctors to avoid spreading the infection. However, self-isolation means insolating yourself on your own. In short, self-isolating means staying at home and avoiding human interaction direct or indirect.

When you must self isolate?

If you have symptoms of Coronavirus you’ll have to self isolate for seven days. If, after seven days, you do not have a high temperature then you can go out. If you still have a high temperature or other signs you will need to stay at home until it returns to regular. However, you must get your tests done. And if you have breathing issues get yourself admitted.

If you live with someone who has the symptoms you’ll need to stay at home for 14 days from the day their symptoms started. This is because it can take 14 days for symptoms to appear.

What you must do to self-isolate?

· Don’t go to work, school or public areas as you may spread virus on a large scale.

· Don’t use public transport or taxis

· Don’t have visitors, such as friends and family, in your home.

· Don’t go out to buy food or collect medicine – order them by phone or online, or ask someone else to drop them off at your home. Ask them to leave the items outside your house.

· You can use your garden if you have one. You can also leave the house to exercise – but stay at least two metres away from other people.

· Avoid meeting your family members, you if you stay in the same house.

While you’re staying at home, you should:

· wash your hands with soap and water often, for at least 20 seconds

· cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when you cough or sneeze

· use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available

· put used tissues in the bin straight away and wash your hands afterwards

· clean objects and surfaces you touch often (like door handles, kettles and phones) using your regular cleaning products.