If you are symptomatic please stay at home.
From 3rd April 2023, free LFTs will no longer be available for members of the community who are symptomatic. LFTs will continue to be used to minimise the risk of potential outbreaks in vulnerable locations, by testing islanders admitted to such settings, including the hospital, care homes and prison. Visitors to such locations are no longer advised to test beforehand but are strongly encouraged against visiting friends or relatives if symptomatic.
LFTs are available to purchase online or from local pharmacies if required.
If you receive a positive LFT please notify the States of Guernsey via either the clinical helpline (01481 220001 or 01481 220002) or the online form at https://www.gov.gg/covidnotification.
.png "COVID-19 Symptoms")
The symptoms to look out for:
- Headache, sore throat and a runny nose*
- Tiredness, new and severe fatigue (recent onset)
- Aches and pains, new muscle ache for no obvious reason (recent onset)
- Headache (sinus pain, pain around eyes)
- Conjunctivitis (itchy, watery, painful or pink eye(s)
- Loss of taste or smell
- Sore throat
- Fever (high temperature, rigors, chills, can't get warm)
- Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath
- Dry cough (Continuous new cough)
- Diarrhoea
- Children and Over 80s - loose stool, mild fever, not themselves with a cough presenting later
- A rash on skin, or discolouration of fingers or toes (seek urgent medical advice)
- Chest pain or pressure, shortness of breath, chest tightness (phone the emergency services on 999)
- Loss of speech or movement (phone the emergency services on 999)
*A runny nose associated with known allergies such as hay-fever, animal/pet hair or other irritants, which responds to antihistamines or other prescribed medication do not require referral for a COVID-19 test.
If you feel very unwell, phone 999 and tell the operator of your symptoms. Please do not visit your GP or the Emergency Department at the hospital unannounced.
Staying at home when you are unwell needs to become ingrained in the Bailiwick's culture.
Business owners and managers are being asked to support and encourage staff to continue doing the right thing by staying at home if they are unwell, or if they have tested positive for COVID-19, as we move forward to live responsibly with the virus.
It is absolutely essential that islanders' commitment to do the right thing is maintained - particularly around staying at home if unwell. We need this mantra to become part-and-parcel of our everyday culture, not just now but into the future.
Making sensible and responsible decisions to stay at home and not spread your germs when you're unwell needs to become the new norm. It needs to be socially unacceptable to put others at risk by going to work, events or anywhere where you'll be in close proximity with other people, if you're unwell.
Returning to work or school
You should wait until your symptoms are gone. You can then return to work or school, subject to any requirements your employer might have.
If someone has, for example, a lingering cough, they should seek advice from a health practitioner before they return to work.
Diarrhoea and vomiting - in these cases a person must be symptom free for 48 hours before they return to work or school.
How to treat Coronavirus symptoms at home
You should rest and look after yourself at home while you recover.
Please see our guide below which includes:
- Treating a high temperature
- Treating a cough
- Getting help while you're staying at home e.g. prescriptions and grocery deliveries
- What to do if you're feeling breathless
- If you have a pulse oximeter
- When to get medical help
