Restricted movements and self-isolation

The difference between restricted movements and self-isolation

Restricted movements
Restricted movements means avoiding contact with other people and social situations as much as possible. It is sometimes referred to as self-quarantine.

You do this to stop other people from getting coronavirus.

You need to restrict your movements if you do not have symptoms of coronavirus but you are:

a close contact of a confirmed case of coronavirus
returning to Ireland from another country

 

Self-isolation
Self-isolation means staying indoors and completely avoiding contact with other people. You need to do this if you have symptoms of coronavirus. This is to stop other people from getting it.

You will need to self-isolate:

if you have symptoms of coronavirus
before you get tested for coronavirus
while you wait for test results
if you have had a positive test result for coronavirus

How to self-isolate
If you develop symptoms you will need to self-isolate and phone your GP. Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. The GP will assess you over the phone. If they think you need to be tested for coronavirus, they will arrange a test.

You will need to self-isolate if you have coronavirus or have symptoms of coronavirus. This could be before you get tested for coronavirus, while you wait for test results or when a positive result is confirmed.

Most people with coronavirus will only have mild symptoms and will get well within weeks. Even though the symptoms are mild, you can still spread the virus to others.

If you have to self-isolate, stay indoors and avoid contact with other people.

Follow this advice to protect yourself and others from coronavirus.

Only stop self-isolation when both of these apply to you:

you have had no fever for 5 days
it has been 14 days since you first developed symptoms