Coronavirus isolation: Can I visit family during coronavirus?

To combat the spread of coronavirus in the UK, the Government has introduced a series of measures to restrict people’s movements. As well as social distancing and self-isolation, people have been told to avoid pubs, clubs, bars, restaurants, theatres and cinemas. These measures are deemed “crucial” in the fight against COVID-19.

Can I visit family during coronavirus?

Anyone with coronavirus symptoms – a new, continuous cough and/or a fever – has been told to self-isolate, as have those who live or who have come into contact with someone presenting symptoms.

Government advice states: “If you live alone and you have symptoms of coronavirus, however mild, stay at home for seven days from when your symptoms started.

“If you live with others and you are the first in the household to have symptoms of coronavirus, then you must stay at home for seven days, but all other household members who remain well must stay at home and not leave the house for 14 days.

“The 14-day period starts from the day when the first person in the house became ill.”

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Should anyone else in the household start displaying symptoms, they should stay at home for seven days from when the symptoms appeared, regardless of what day they are on in the original 14 day isolation period.

When self-isolating, people should not go out even to buy food or other essentials.

Exercise outdoors is said to be permitted if unavoidable but in that case, it should be done “at a safe distance from others”.

Isolation means not leaving the home, at all and even opening the door to receive a delivery is not advised.

If your family is isolating then you should not go round to visit them.

The advice from the Government says: “Do not invite or allow social visitors, such as other friends and family, to enter your home.

“If you want to speak to someone who is not a member of your household, use the phone or social media.

“If you or a family member receive essential care in your home, then carers should continue to visit.

“Carers will be provided with facemasks and gloves to reduce the risk of you passing on the infection.”

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The Government has advised everyone to avoid all non-essential social contact and travel.

Family members aged over 70, pregnant women and those with underlying health conditions are advised to self-isolate and should absolutely not be visited.

This group should be shielded from the virus for around 12 weeks.

You can help those family members in isolation by bringing them shopping and supplies.

These should be left at their door and should not be brought inside by the person delivering so as to minimise any exposure to the virus.

On Thursday, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said he is “absolutely confident that we can send coronavirus packing in this country” and the tide can be turned within the next 12 weeks.

He urged the public to continue to follow the Government guidelines on social distancing and staying at home.

He said: “I know it’s tough, I know it’s difficult, but please, please follow the advice.”

Hinting that stricter restrictions on movement could be introduced if people failed to stick to the advice given, he added that “nothing is ruled out”.

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