Self-Isolating and Restricted Movements

The current COVID-19 pandemic is continuously evolving, we will continue to endeavour to provide you with the most up-to-date information. Current HSE advice and guidelines are as follows.

If you are a close contact of a person that tested positive for COVID-19, you must restrict your movements for 14 days, even if you feel well. Please note, there is a difference between the requirement to restrict your movements and the requirement to self-isolate, this is outlined in the table below. Testing centres are at full capacity and are prioritising those who have symptoms. As a result, close contacts will not be tested during this time but still need to restrict their movements.

Please note, if you are a close contact, you need to restrict your movements, regardless if you develop symptoms or not. If you develop symptoms of COVID-19, you must self – isolate and phone your GP for further advice. If your test is:

level 5 restrictions

  • Positive: you will need to self-isolate.

  • Negative: you will need to still restrict your movements for 14 days, or until a date given to you by the HSE. This is because it can take up to 14 days to develop COVID-19 infection. If you receive a negative test result and you then develop symptoms afterwards, self-isolate and phone your GP. Tell your GP that you were tested as a close contact and you have since developed symptoms of COVID-19. The GP will discuss referring you for another free coronavirus test.

What other people you live with; need to do:

If you feel well and do not have symptoms of COVID-19, the people you live with, do not need to restrict their movements. They can continue to go to work, school, preschool or childcare as long as they do not have symptoms. But if they have been told they are also a close contact of COVID-19, they need to restrict their movements.

Self-isolation (stay in your room)
Restrict your movements (stay at home)
Do this when you
  • are a close contact of someone who has tested positive
  • live with someone who has COVID-19 symptoms, but you feel well
  • arrive in Ireland from a country unless you’re coming from a green region or Northern Ireland
Where In a room, on your own if possible, with a window you can open, at home or indoors. At home/indoors.
Work or school
Do not go to work or school. If you feel well enough to work remotely or home school, do that from your own room.
Do not go to work or school, unless you work on your own and can completely avoid other people.

If you do not have symptoms and you are an essential worker, speak to your Employer.
Outdoor exercise Do not go outside unless you have your own outdoor space where you can get some fresh air away from other people. You can go outside to exercise by yourself as long as you keep 2 metres from other people.
Going out, other than exercise and work Stay in your room as much as possible and do not go outside for anything. Stay at home and do not go to the shops or pharmacy unless it’s absolutely necessary – order groceries online or have some family or friends drop them off
Visits Do not have visitors at your home and do not visit others. Do not have visitors at your home and do not visit others.
Other members of your household Need to restrict their movements and get a test for COVID-19. Do not need to do anything, unless you develop symptoms of COVID-19. Then you will need to self-isolate and they will need to restrict their movements. If your household members develop symptoms, they will have to self-isolate.
When to stop If you had a positive test result
Only stop self-isolating when you have had no fever for 5 days and it has been 10 days since you first developed symptoms.If you had a negative test result and were tested because you had symptoms of COVID-19
Only stop self-isolating when you have had no symptoms for 48 hours.There is different advice for people in long-term residential care or treated in hospital.		 If you were tested because you were a close contact of someone with COVID-19
Restrict your movements for 14 days, even if you have a test and your test comes back negative.If you are caring for someone who cannot self-isolate
You and the rest of your household should restrict your movements for 17 days.

 If an employee has been absent from work relating to Covid-19, you should ensure the following:

  • Follow your absence reporting policy as normal. This can be found in your contract of employment and/or employee handbook.

    • If the employee does not have a contract of employment or is not familiar with the employee handbook, you should distribute this to them as soon as possible.
    • Communicate your employee’s responsibilities and obligations under the absence reporting policy.
    • Please follow your sick pay policy as normal, regarding payment for certified illness.

  • If an employee has tested positive, they should follow medical advice i.e. self-isolate etc. and continue to follow your absence reporting policy.

  • If an employee has tested negative and is ready to return to work, you should:

    • Request that they fill in the ‘return to work form.’
    • Allow them to work from home where possible (please note, only essential workers should go to their workplace).

For more information, please visit our support page here, and the HSE website: Coronavirus – HSE.ie