People with probable or confirmed COVID-19 must go into isolation at home, at a healthcare institution or elsewhere. Home isolation applies to people with probable or confirmed COVID-19 but who do not need to be admitted to hospital.
The following applies for people in isolation:
- Wherever possible, you must maintain a safe distance from others. For children and people who need medical help, the need for care should be given the highest priority.
- If possible, use a separate room and bathroom. Use your own towels and toiletries.
- You should have food delivered to your room or be alone in the kitchen.
- If you live with other people, you should go into isolation in your room and maintain the full social distance from those you live with. Do not leave your home, although you can go into your own garden or onto your own balcony, while maintaining a distance from others.
- Get help from others to perform essential errands.
- You and members of your household cannot have visitors.
- If you have to be nearer to other household members than 2 metres, it is recommended that you wear a face mask if your health permits it. Alternatively, household members should wear a face mask when they are closer than 2 metres to the person who is ill. It is not recommended that children under 12-13 years of age wear a face mask. Children under 2 years of age should not wear a face mask under any circumstances.
- Ask your doctor how you should monitor your health.
- Ring the healthcare service if you need medical attention because your condition has deteriorated (for example, you experience breathing difficulties) or for other reasons. Explain that you have COVID-19 when you call. They will then be able to implement measures to prevent other people from becoming infected. Do not use public transport.
- Clean your home frequently, especially surfaces such as bathroom sinks, toilets, door handles and kitchen worktops. Ordinary cleaning products may be used. Place used linen, etc. and bedding directly in the washing machine and wash at a minimum of 60⁰C. See also: Cleaning during and after home isolation.
- The people you live with must go into quarantine.
- The people you live with must be careful about hand hygiene. It is especially important that the people you live with wash or disinfect their hands when they leave the room you (the person self-isolating) are in, and after coming into contact with you or equipment you have used, and before leaving the house.
- Download the poster “Isolation”.
More:
- Regulations relating to infection control measures etc. in connection with the coronavirus outbreak (COVID-19 Regulations)
- Home quarantine and home isolation – advice to healthcare personnel
- Information in other languages: Brochures and videos about home isolation and quarantine
- When you are sick or suspect that you have COVID-19 disease
- Risk groups and their relatives
- Children and adolescents
Source: NIPH
National Institute for Public health
