Can I go for a walk if I have Covid or if I am isolating?

As the Omicron variant spreads across the country, the case numbers of people testing positive for Covid are soaring.

With the pandemic soon to enter its third year, there have been many revisions to guidelines on what to do when you test positive, or when someone in your household has symptoms or tests positive.

And though it seems quite obvious to most that leaving home with Covid for a couple of drinks at a bar would be a bad idea, some wonder whether getting some fresh air in your lungs before isolation is over is permitted.

So are you allowed to leave your house for a walk while you have Covid?

Can I go for a walk if I have Covid?

The simple answer to this question is: no.

If you test positive for Covid-19, it is a legal requirement to stay in your house for 10 days after symptoms start (or after the date of the positive test, if you have no symptoms).

According to the NHS website, this means not leaving the house to do any of the following: work, go to school or public places, to exercise, to use public transport or taxis, or to get food or medicine (if it’s not possible to get these online or have someone bring them to you).

For those with four-legged canine friends, it also means that you’re not allowed to walk your dog – so if possible, ask a friend, family member or professional dog walker to take your dog out for you.

The instances that a person is allowed to leave self-isolation are few, but include: to post a PCR test or antibody test at a Royal Mail priority postbox; to avoid harm (e.g. escaping a fire or if you are at risk of domestic abuse); to access services as a victim of crime, for example, if there has been a burglary; and to attend the funeral of a close friend or family member.

As of December 22, fully vaccinated Covid sufferers can leave self-isolation after day seven after a negative result on rapid lateral flow tests on days six and seven.

Can I go for a walk if I don’t have Covid but have been told to isolate?

Again, the answer to this one is pretty straightforward – unfortunately, no.

If you are required to isolate – meaning, you’re not fully vaccinated and above the age of 18 years and six months – then you must also stay in the house for 10 full days.

s always, please check with the current government guidelines to ensure you are doing the right thing.

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