Self-isolating

You will need to self-isolate If you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace, think you have Covid-19 or have arrived from outside the UK.

Primary page content

What self-isolation requires

You must not leave your home if you're self-isolating.

Do not go to campus or work
Do not go on public transport or use taxis
Do not go out to get food and medicine – order it online or by phone, or ask someone to bring it to you
Do not have visitors, including friends and family – except for people providing essential care

When you will need to self-isolate

Here are the reasons why you will need to self-isolate and advice on what to do:

You have Covid-19 symptoms or have tested positive

If you test positive for Covid-19 or have any of the main symptoms you must self-isolate for 10 days and follow the advice of the NHS.

The main symptoms of coronavirus are:

a high temperature – this means you feel hot to touch on your chest or back (you do not need to measure your temperature)
a new, continuous cough – this means coughing a lot for more than an hour, or 3 or more coughing episodes in 24 hours (if you usually have a cough, it may be worse than usual)
a loss or change to your sense of smell or taste – this means you've noticed you cannot smell or taste anything, or things smell or taste different to normal

You must read and follow our instructions on what to do if you are ill.

You live with someone who has symptoms or tested positive

If you live with someone who has tested positive you must self-isolate for 10 days, unless:

you are fully vaccinated
you are below the age of 18 years 6 months
you are not able to get vaccinated for medical reasons

You should get a PCR Covid-19 test to find out if you have been infected, even if you are vaccinated.

If you are contacted by NHS Test and Trace

The health service in England is operating a Test and Trace service. If someone tests positive for Covid-19 they are asked who they have been in contact with.

NHS Test and Trace will contact these people and tell them to self-isolate if they are at risk.

More about NHS Test and Trace on nhs.uk.

Arriving from outside the UK

See our travel rules and guidance page for instructions.

How long you need to self-isolate for

The nhs.uk website has full instructions on how to long to self-isolate for.

Telling Goldsmiths you are self-isolating

Students

Use the Covid-19 student reporting form to tell us you are self-isolating.

This will send your details to your academic department and student support.

Staff

Staff who are feeling well but have been advised to self-isolate should work from home if they can. If they are unable to carry out their role from home will be paid as normal during their period of self-isolation provided they complete

Report your self-isolating by getting an NHS Isolation Note and sending it to your line manager as soon as you are advised to isolate.