Coronavirus: what farmers need to know about self isolating

Self-isolation: what does it mean?

Self-isolation means staying indoors and completely avoiding contact with other people.

When will I have to self-isolate?

1 If you have symptoms of the virus.

2 Before you get tested for coronavirus.

3 While you wait for test results.

4 If you have had a positive test result.

If you develop symptoms you will need to self-isolate and phone your GP.

Do not go to a GP surgery, pharmacy or hospital. The GP will assess you over the phone.

If they think you need to be tested for coronavirus, they will arrange a test.

Can I go to a drive-through test centre?

No, you must be given an appointment for a test centre by your GP.

If I am self-isolating, can I go outside to feed my cattle, milk my cows or plough the field

If you are self-isolating, the HSE advice is to stay indoors and completely avoid contact with other people. This is to stop other people from getting it.

Start planning now to bring in help for the farm if you need to self-isolate or if you become sick. You can do this by phone, using a written list or by using a whiteboard on the farm.

Speak now to a family member, friend, neighbour or paid worker like the Farm Relief Service about your usual routine, including:

How will I get my groceries or medication?

It’s OK for friends, family or delivery drivers to drop off food or supplies. Make sure you’re not in the same room as them, when they do.

I live with my wife and family, how can I self-isolate?

Stay in a room with a window you can open. If you can, use a toilet and bathroom that no one else in the house uses. Do not share ?food, dishes, drinking glasses, cups, knives, forks and spoons, towels, and bedding? with other people.

What if we only have a shared bathroom?

Use the bathroom last and then clean it thoroughly with disinfectant. Do not share towels or other items.

What if there are children in the house?

Do your best to follow this HSE advice where possible. Children can get COVID-19 but in most cases the illness is not very severe. If your child does develop symptoms, call the GP and follow their instructions.

What about meal times?

If possible, have someone leave your food on a tray at your bedroom door. When you have finished, leave everything on the tray at the door to be collected.

Dishes should be washed in a dishwasher and hands washed properly afterwards. If you don’t have a dishwasher, wash the dishes in hot soapy water, wearing rubber gloves. Leave the dishes to air dry, wash the rubber gloves while you are still wearing them, take off the gloves and wash your hands.

Does the coronavirus live on surfaces?

Yes, but many cleaning and disinfectant products sold in supermarkets can kill coronavirus on surfaces.

How should I clean the room or house if I’m self-isolating?

Clean all surfaces every day as usual with a detergent, disinfectant or disinfectant wipe. This includes counters, tabletops, doorknobs, bathroom fixtures, toilets and toilet handles, phones, keyboards, tablets and bedside tables.

If you have them, wear rubber gloves when cleaning surfaces, clothing or bedding. Wash the gloves while still wearing them, then wash your hands after you take them off.

What about washing my clothes, towels and bed linen?

Put your laundry in a plastic bag. Have someone collect it from your bedroom door. If possible, they should wear rubber gloves.

They should wash the laundry at the highest temperature for the material, with detergent, clean all surfaces and the area around the washing machine, and wash the rubber gloves while still wearing them.

They should wash their hands thoroughly with soap and water after removing the gloves or handling dirty laundry.

If possible, tumble dry and iron using a hot setting or steam iron.

Do not take laundry to a launderette.

What should I do with rubbish?

Put all personal waste, including used tissues, masks and cleaning waste in a plastic rubbish bag. Tie the bag when it is almost full. Place the plastic bag in a second bin bag and tie the bag.

Leave the bag somewhere safe, out of reach of animals. The bags should be left for three days before collection.

Dispose of other waste the way you usually would.

Should I use a face mask?

You may have to be in a room with someone who has coronavirus. If you do, and you have face masks, the person with coronavirus should wear the mask. If you wear a mask, you should put it on and take it off in the room in which you are self-isolating. Wash your hands before you put it on. Put the mask in your coronavirus rubbish and wash your hands properly after you take it off.

What if I can’t cope being inside on my own all the time?

Pick up the phone and call a friend. You should keep yourself mobile by getting up and moving around as much as possible. You can go out to the garden or yard for fresh air but keep away from other people including neighbours. Read more about looking after yourself in Irish Country Living, pages 11 and 16-17.