What should you know about COVID-19 rules?

Current instructions can vary by workplace, school, travel setting, or local health authority, so check the advice that applies to your situation. In general, avoid close contact while you have respiratory symptoms, improve airflow indoors, wash your hands, and consider a well-fitting mask around people at higher risk. Do not share personal items, and clean frequently touched surfaces if someone at home is ill. COVID-19 may cause cough, fever, fatigue, headache, or a general feeling of being unwell; a symptom alone does not confirm the infection.

Rest, drink enough fluid to avoid dehydration, and monitor how you feel. Follow test instructions carefully if testing is advised, and keep any result available for a clinician or employer who needs it. People with long-term conditions, pregnancy, older age, or reduced immunity should contact a clinician early because treatment decisions may depend on personal risk and how long symptoms have been present. Avoid strenuous activity while feverish or short of breath.

Seek urgent medical help for trouble breathing, chest pain or pressure, new confusion, unusual difficulty staying awake, or lips or skin that look blue or grey. Arrange medical advice if symptoms are worsening, fever continues, you cannot keep fluids down, or you improve and then become clearly more unwell. A persistent cough or marked tiredness may need assessment for COVID-19 or another illness such as pneumonia.

Ask whether you need a test, how long to limit contact, which medicines are suitable with your health conditions, and what change should prompt a review. Also ask how to protect household members and whether ongoing symptoms could represent Long COVID.