What are the current rules regarding the coronavirus? (Photo: Getty)

The first Covid-19 lockdown in March 2020 was a long time ago.

Nearly three years later, the coronavirus is still spreading among the population – so you could get sick from the virus’ myriad symptoms, such as a high fever, persistent cough, body aches, and fatigue.

If you’re feeling uneasy — or staring at a positive test in frustration — you may be wondering what you can and can’t do after December 2022.

Do you still have to self-isolate? Or is it no longer legally required to stay at home far from others?

And what is the NHS advising you to do now?

Here’s everything you need to know.

Can you go out if you have covid? What the latest lines say

The NHS advises you to stay home if you have Covid-19, although this is just a guideline (Image: Getty)

At the time of writing, gov.uk states there are no Covid-19 related restrictions in the UK.

There is currently no law requiring you to self-isolate or restrict your movement if you have Covid-19 – so technically you could go outside if you wanted to if you had the disease.

However, the government’s website says: “If you have Covid-19, you should try to stay home.”

It then refers to advice from the NHS on what to do if you have Covid-19 – which clearly states that you should “try to stay home and avoid contact with other people”.

The advice is aimed at people who have had a positive test – or the symptoms of the virus, a high temperature or “not feeling well enough to walk or work”. [their] normal activities”.

Basically, the NHS recommends staying home if you’re not feeling well, suspect your symptoms are Covid-19 or know you have it.

Specifically, the health service advises people with a positive test result to stay at home for five days and to avoid people with a higher risk of Covid 19 for ten days – from the day AFTER the test.

Are you still worried about Covid?answer now

For those under 18 who test positive, the NHS says to stay home for three days and avoid others.

It states: “Children and adolescents are generally less contagious to others than adults.

“If they are healthy and have no fever after 3 days, they are much less likely to pass on Covid-19 to others.”

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Find the full official NHS guidelines here.

If you’re just not feeling well but haven’t been tested for Covid-19 (so no positive or negative result), the advice is to stay home and also avoid other people – although there is no specific time frame.

The NHS says you can resume daily activities if you feel well enough and don’t have a high temperature.

If you should test positive for Covid-19 or show symptoms, the NHS also has information on how to minimize the risk of spreading Covid-19 when you’re out and about.

This includes covering your mouth when coughing or sneezing, washing your hands thoroughly before and after eating/touching food, and avoiding indoor or crowded areas.

It also recommends “wearing a face covering that fits your face well and consists of more than one layer.”