To ask Her Majesty's Government whether an individual is legally required to remain in quarantine between taking and receiving the results of a COVID-19 test.
Answered on
12 October 2020
If an individual arrives in England from a non-exempt country, territory or region, or has departed from or transited though a non-exempt country, territory or region at any time in the period beginning with the 14th day before the date of their arrival, and they are not exempt, they must self-isolate for 14 days subject to certain limited exceptions when they may leave or be outside their place of self-isolation. The requirement to self-isolate in these circumstances is not dependent upon taking a COVID 19 test or the outcome of a test.
National Health Service guidance states that if someone has the main symptoms of COVID-19, they should get a test as soon as possible. Unless someone is self-isolating after returning from a country, territory or region that is not on the travel corridors list, it is not a legal requirement to remain in self-isolation between taking a test and receiving the result. However, it is advised that they should stay at home and not have visitors until they get the result. It is recommended that they only leave their home to get the test.