Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask Her Majesty's Government why they recommend an isolation period of seven days after symptoms of COVID-19 have ended for those who live alone, as opposed to the recommended fourteen-day period by the World Health Organisation.

In a public statement given by the Prime Minister on 15 March, it was explained that as part of the Government’s main message on self-isolation, if someone has symptoms of COVID-19, however mild, they should not leave their home for seven days from when their symptoms started on the provision that they are no longer showing any signs of the virus.

The 14-day period is for those who have had exposure to a confirmed case but have not shown symptoms.

The 14 days represents the potential incubation period (the time it takes for symptoms to show if someone has been infected).

Most people will no longer be likely to transmit the virus seven days after the onset of symptoms.