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Covid etiquette is ambiguous in the absence of advice from the UK Health Security Agency.
During the pandemic you could not move for public health advice. Stay at home, protect the NHS, wash your hands, sing happy birthday, stay 2m apart, don’t kiss mum, wear a mask, get vaccinated. The most conscientious law-abiding citizens followed the rules.
Today the world is back to normal. But Covid-19 is still rife. Infection and death rates rose earlier in the month. And there is evidence that the three main variables currently in circulation can evade immunity.
Dr Mark Faghy is associate professor of respiratory physiology at the University of Derby and is leading a number of research projects on the virus. He explains that we are not out of the woods yet.
“Evidence suggests that the common JN.1 variant escapes immunity conferred by vaccinations. But the biggest concern is that we have three variants circulating simultaneously, eris, pirola and JN.1, and immunity to one seems not to be transferable, so you can have more than one infection in a very short period of time. You could be recovering from one strain and catch another strain right after, which increases the risks of an acute reaction,” says Faghy.
The last update from the UK Health Security Agency offering guidance for people with symptoms of Covid-19, or a positive test result for Covid-19 was in June 2022.
“As we learn how to live safely with Covid-19, there are actions we can all take to help reduce the risk of catching Covid-19 and passing it on to others,” said the guide.
We were left alone against the microscopic threat that we could still have some nasty tricks. It’s time for a refresher on Covid etiquette.
What are the latest Covid symptoms?
If you have the following symptoms, according to the NHS, you could have the disease, but remember that many are similar to a cold or flu:
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high temperature
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a new persistent cough or three or more coughing episodes in 24 hours
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loss or change in your sense of smell or taste
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shortness of breath
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feeling tired or exhausted
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painful body
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headache or sore throat
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blocked or runny nose
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loss of appetite
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diarrhoea
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feeling sick or being sick
I think I have Covid but I feel fine – should I get tested?
You don’t have to, and you can no longer get free lateral flow tests from the NHS. But if you might be around vulnerable people, or if you’d rather not infect others, it’s a good idea.
“The virus is still extremely dangerous for people in at-risk categories,” says Faghy. “And some of the sub-variants we’re seeing have a high level of transmissibility.”
I have covid but feel fine – should I go to work?
You can go to work even after testing positive for Covid and there is no legal obligation to tell your employer if you are infected. The Government’s advice is wishy-washy. Those with infections are advised to “try to stay at home and avoid contact with others”.
The NHS is more detailed, as George Sandhu, deputy superintendent of pharmacy at Well Pharmacy, explains. “If you have tested positive, current NHS guidelines are to avoid contact with other people for five days after your positive test. It is best to avoid contact with vulnerable people for 10 days after taking the test.”
I have Covid but I don’t feel sick – do I need to isolate?
There is no legal requirement to isolate or stay at home. If you want to spread the infection to others, however, you should avoid close contact with people, especially those who may be vulnerable.
My partner has Covid – do I need to be isolated too?
It is not necessary. There is no requirement for either of you to isolate.
I have tested positive – should I see my frail grandparents?
Covid-19 remains a serious risk for the elderly, especially if they have health problems or a history of adverse reactions to previous covid infections.
Sandhu says: “It is so important to avoid contact with vulnerable individuals if you have tested positive for Covid-19 to protect them from potentially serious complications.”
I have Covid – should I wear a mask outdoors?
There is no mandate to wear a mask if you have a Covid infection. However, the virus is mainly spread through airborne droplets, so if, out of a sense of civic duty, you want to take steps to protect others, wearing a headscarf can help stop the spread, especially while inside a crowded place with poor ventilation. Studies show that wearing a mask in public is effective in reducing the spread of respiratory disease.
My teenager has covid – do they really need to stay away from school?
Government advice says that Covid presents a low risk to children and young people and that children and young people with mild symptoms such as a runny nose, sore throat or a slight cough, who are otherwise well, can continue going to school, college or. childcare. Those who are sick and have a high temperature should stay at home.
The NHS advises caution, as Sandhu explains: “Children and young people tend to be infectious to others for less time than adults so the current NHS recommendation is three days at home, but vulnerable people are better to avoid for 10 days after the positive covid test.”
If we don’t test for flu and colds, why are some people still testing for Covid?
Thanks to testing and tracking messages and habits during the pandemic, testing for Covid has been normalized and tests are still available to buy in most pharmacies. This is not true for colds and flu. Colds are not seen as serious health problems.
“We often say, ‘it’s just a cold’. They are generally considered to be mild illnesses that we get over after a few days,” says Faghy. “But the consequences of covid and flu can be more serious and in some cases can be fatal.”
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