How can I help friends and family who are self-isolating?

It is natural to want to help neighbours, friends and family who are having to fully self-isolate. However, if guidance is not followed properly it is possible to put them and ourselves at greater risk. We have put together some information on staying safe while you are helping others.

If you, or someone you know, is showing symptoms of COVID-19 - or live with someone who does – they must self-isolate.

This means:

Not leaving home for any reason.
Not going out to buy food or collect medicine.
Not having visitors, such as friends and family, in the home.
Only exercising at home (those with gardens can continue to use them).

You should only leave your home to help other people in self-isolation if:

You and everyone in your household are fully well and not displaying any symptoms of COVID-19.
You are under 70.
You are not pregnant.
You don’t have a health condition that could make you vulnerable.

The best ways to help include:

Keeping in touch. Simple as it sounds, staying in touch by phone calls, video calls, email – they can all really help people who are in self-isolation.
Delivering food parcels or medicine. People can order food and medicine by phone, or online, from normal providers – but self-isolating people will not be able to make their weekly shop for essential items. You can drop food and medicines off with them, but then you should stand well back from the door when they open it. You should also be sure to wash your hands thoroughly before going to collect the shopping, and before you drop it off.

You should, under no circumstances, enter the home of someone that you know to be self-isolating.

You can read more about how to help people safely at gov.uk/safehelp

Preventing the spread of COVID-19

The health and wellbeing of our community is of the utmost importance to us.

So now, more than ever, it is important to keep following government advice in order to stop the spread of COVID-19. By staying at home (other than for daily exercise, food shopping and essential work), we will help to protect the NHS and care staff and save lives.

Read more about the government guidelines.

Read more specific advice around healthcare and COVID-19 from the NHS here.

20th April 2020