Cocooning is a measure to protect those over 70 years old or those extremely medically vulnerable by minimising interaction between them and others.

It means that these people should not leave their homes and even within their homes should minimise all non-essential contact with other members of their household.

The Government has said the reason for cocooning “is to protect those who are at very high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 from coming into contact with the virus”.

Those over 70 are asked to cocoon until Easter Sunday, 12 April.

The measures in cocooning

  • Strictly avoid contact with someone who is displaying symptoms of COVID-19. These symptoms include high temperature and/or new and continuous cough.
  • Do not leave your house.
  • Do not attend any gatherings. This includes gatherings of friends and families in private spaces, for example family homes, weddings and religious services.
  • Do not go out for shopping and, when arranging food or medication deliveries, these should be left at the door to minimise contact.
  • Keep in touch using remote technology such as phone, internet, and social media.
  • Do use telephone or online services to contact your GP or other essential services.
  • Ensure you keep phones/devices charged, and have credit on your phone so that you can stay connected.

    • How do over 70s cocoon if someone else is living with them?

    While the rest of the household is not required to adopt cocooning measures, the Government expects them to do what they can to support a person over 70 in cocooning and to stringently follow guidance on physical distancing.

    The key points to follow:

  • You should stay away from other people in your home most of the time in a well-ventilated room with a window to the outside that you can open.
  • If you have to go into the same room with other people at home you should try to keep at least 1m (3ft) and where possible 2m away from them.
  • You should clean your hands regularly and practise good respiratory etiquette.
  • If you can, you should use a toilet and bathroom that no one else in the house uses.
  • If you cannot have your own toilet and bathroom, the toilet and bathroom you use needs to be kept clean. Another tip is to consider drawing up a rota for bathing, with you using the facilities first.
  • Make sure you use separate towels from the other people in your house, both for drying themselves after bathing or showering and for hand-hygiene purposes.
  • If you share a kitchen with others, avoid using it while they are present. If you can, you should take your meals back to your room to eat. If you have one, use a dishwasher to clean and dry the family’s used crockery and cutlery. If this is not possible, wash them using your usual washing-up liquid and warm water and dry them thoroughly. Do not share cutlery and utensils. When using your own utensils, remember to use a separate tea towel for drying these.
  • Clean all surfaces, such as counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets and toilet handles, phones, keyboards, tablets, and bedside tables, every day with a cleaning product.
  • When cleaning, you should use your usual household products like detergents and bleach as these will be very effective at getting rid of the virus. Follow the instructions on the manufacturer’s label and check they can be used on the surface you are cleaning.

    • If the rest of the household stringently follows the advice on physical distancing and minimises the risk of spreading the virus within the home by following the advice above, there is no need for them to also cocoon alongside you.

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