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Can you self isolate for 3 days and then leave the UK

Just wondering if you can self isolate for whole time you're in England but leave before the full 14 days I'm wanting to transit through London, but would like to stay with friends for a few days before leaving, but not the full 14 days.

Posted by
11037 posts

The rules today and what may be applicable when you travel may not be the same.

Sadly Apple has yet to release the 'iBall', to help with these kinds of questions.

Posted by
759 posts

I’ll try not to be too snarky here.
Yes and No. you can self isolate and then decide this is not for you and fly home. I seriously doubt you will be denied boarding a flight out of the country.

How are you getting into the UK? What do you say if border authorities ask you why you are here? Hmmm “I’m going to sit in a hotel room/air bnb for 4 days and then leave”? Odds are they won’t let you into the UK if you say that (presuming someone even asks).

You do understand self isolate means just that: Self and Isolate. Your not allowed to go out visiting and drop by for a pint. And if your thinking of staying with friends- that ain’t happening. You think any virus you are carrying magically goes away with you when you depart? You have potentially contaminated your friends. You move into their home for 3 days and they are going on the isolation journey with you. They get to stay in self quarantine once you leave as they finish off the days.

But for an even better (and much less snarky) answer: contact a British Embassy or Consulate.

Posted by
3067 posts

It seems to me that a lot of people are not keeping up with the world news.
Self -isolate for 14 days means just that.
No visiting, no going out, no eating out, have all food and goods delivered.
For 14 days.
By yourself.
Why would you go to another country, let their authorities think you are going to go by their rules , then decide it's ok for you yourself and I to just go and "stay with friends" after three days?

My mind is getting more boggled every day.

Posted by
32523 posts

those people having to self isolate on arrival are being checked up on. Fines are real. They are big. We don't want your germs. We have enough of our own.

In addition to the police there are now virus wardens patrolling towns and cities.

It is highly likely that London will be in Tier 3 soon, Slough (near Heathrow) moves into Tier 2 the day after tomorrow.

Posted by
7010 posts

Also, not meant to be snarky. Some people just aren't getting the importance of adhering to government and health official's regulations in getting control of this virus and keeping it in check until a successful vaccine is available - and available to ALL, since that's the only way to stop the spread.

Posted by
23178 posts

Sorry, Nancy, but a couple of neighbors are telling us that this all goes away after the election. It is all hype. I wish I had their faith (and they were right) -- I think we are stuck till at least next summer if not fall.

Posted by
6113 posts

You can’t stay with friends unless they too quarantine for 14 days in case you infect them. Quarantine means not leaving the garden of where you are staying. Do you want to risk infecting them?

Where are you heading after the UK? That country may not accept you if you are staying in a high risk area. It’s a rapidly changing situation and getting worse in most places, so what’s acceptable today may not be next week.

Many parts of the U.K. have restrictions on who can stay with them.

Posted by
80 posts

Thank you to the non-snarky people.

I had read the below on the Gov.UK website Guidance on How to Self Isolate before I posed my question. It does mention staying with friends. I just wasn't sure if your stay is shorter than 14 days if you could still enter the country.

I would hope this forum is to help people not beat them up.

How to self-isolate in your accommodation
You should self-isolate in one place for the full self-isolation period, where you can have food and other necessities delivered, and stay away from others. You must self-isolate at the address you provided on the public health passenger locator form.
This can include:

your own home

staying with friends or family

a hotel or other temporary accommodation