• Vitamins & Supplements
  • Food & Drink
  • Sports Nutrition
  • Free From
  • Natural Beauty
  • Weight Management
  • Offers
  • Summer Shop
  • The Health Hub
  • Learn more Healthbox
  • Account
Track your order Delivery & Returns Help Centre My subscriptions

Customer Service

  • Contact us
  • Site map
  • Site map
  • Store locator

About us

  • Who are we
  • Working at Holland & Barrett
  • Press releases
  • Privacy & cookie policy
  • Terms & conditions
  • Holland & Barrett More
  • Holland & Barrett International
  • Corporate Social Responsibility
  • Modern Slavery Statement

Connect with us

Store
0370 606 6606
My account
Rewards
  • Sign in
  • How do I join?
  • What are the benefits?
  • FAQs
Holland & Barrett :: the good life
  • Menu
  • Account
  • Store
  • Basket
    Search for
    • Vitamins & Supplements
    • Food & Drink
    • Sports Nutrition
    • Free From
    • Natural Beauty
    • Weight Management
    • Offers
    • The Health Hub
    • Healthbox

    Home / Coronavirus (COVID-19) / What’s the difference between social distancing and self-isolation?

    Woman at home self isolating while working from her laptop
    Woman at home self isolating while working from her laptop

    What’s the difference between social distancing and self-isolation?

    With daily updates from the UK government, it can be tough to keep up with the different terminology they’re using, Here’s our quick guide to the differences between them all.

    What do they have in common?

    Social distancing and self-isolation are all about limiting to eliminating the contact you have with others, from your family members to the public.

    Stay at home

    Everyone should now be staying at home.

    Following the government advice, everyone should be staying at home following the below advice:

    • Only go outside for food, health reasons, school or work (but only if you cannot work from home)
    • If you go out, stay 2 metres (6ft or the length of a double bed) away from other people at all times
    • Wash your hands as soon as you get home

    What is social distancing?

    Everyone should now take part in social distancing.

    The guidance has been put into place to reduce the spread of coronavirus, and especially for those that fall into the at-risk groups (over 70, pregnant or have an underlying health condition).

    The below advice from gov.uk should be put into action now and until further advice is received from the government or WHO.

    • Avoid contact with those who display the symptoms of COVID-19 – a new or continuous cough and a high temperature
    • Stop all non-essential travel, including the use of public transport, especially in peak times
    • To work from home if possible. Talk to your employer for further information
    • Avoid contact with others, including family and friends, but do continue to stay in touch with loved ones via other channels
    • Using online portals or phone lines to contact essential services, like your GP

    What is self-isolating?

    Self-isolation is for those that experience symptoms of COVID-19, but do not require urgent care at hospital and for those living in a household where someone is showing the symptoms.

    Self-isolation starts when you or someone else in your household starts to show symptoms of coronavirus. If you live alone, you should self-isolate for 7 days, whereas if you live with a partner or family members, self-isolation needs to last for 14 days.

    If you’re self-isolating, you should simply stay at home and follow the below advice:

    • Do not go shopping for food or other essentials. Use online shopping, food delivery services or ask loved ones to drop groceries at your door to limit contact
    • Do continue to exercise if you are well enough to do so, but remain apart from others

    It’s also important to make sure your home is kept clean and disinfected to avoid the spread of the virus, as well as following the advice to regularly wash your hands for 20 seconds.

    It you’re self-isolating and living with someone who is in the at-risk group or vulnerable, it’s also advised to :

    • Minimise as much contact as possible within the home. Do not spend too much time in the same room as them and keep all rooms well ventilated
    • Remain 2 meters or 3 steps away from them where and when possible
    • Use a separate bathroom if possible. If not, make sure the bathroom is cleaned after each use and separate towels and allow them to use the bathroom first
    • Allow them to cook or prepare food in the kitchen on their own and take their meals back to their room to eat

    Last updated: 04 November 2020

    Sources
    1. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-on-social-distancing-and-for-vulnerable-people/guidance-on-social-distancing-for-everyone-in-the-uk-and-protecting-older-people-and-vulnerable-adults 
    2. https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/stay-at-home-guidance-for-households-with-possible-coronavirus-covid-19-infection

    Tweet
    Follow on Instagram
    Coronavirus (COVID-19)

    You may also like

    Coronavirus FAQ and how to stay safe

    Article

    Coronavirus FAQ and how to stay safe

    Getting informed about coronavirus is the first step to staying safe. Here’s some advice on..

    READ MORE...
    How to reduce your risk of infection

    Article

    How to reduce your risk of infection

    Here are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of infections spreading,..

    READ MORE...
    The best lotions for frequently washed hands

    Article

    The best lotions for frequently washed hands

    Whether you have a job which requires you to keep your hands squeaky clean at..

    READ MORE...

    Connect with us

    • Log in Register
    • rewards for life

    Customer service

    • Store locator
    • Contact us
    • Site feedback
    • Frequently asked questions
    • Delivery & returns
    • Site map
    • My account

    About us

    • Who we are
    • Working at Holland & Barrett
    • Press room
    • Privacy & cookie policy
    • Terms & conditions
    • Holland & Barrett More
    • Holland & Barrett International

    Brands

    • Holland & Barrett
    • Bootea
    • Dr Organic
    • Precision Engineered
    • Manuka Doctor
    • Good n Natural
    • Miaroma
    Register
    Click to verify if this website is operating legally

    Copyright © Holland & Barrett Retail Limited, 2017. All rights reserved. hollandandbarrett.com is a trading name of Holland & Barrett Retail Limited,. Registered office: Samuel Ryder House, Barling Way, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 7RH. Registered in England: company no. 2758955. Registered VAT no. 211727395.