By Self-isolation time cut to ‘five full days’
The mandatory self-isolation time for people who test positive for COVID-19 is being cut to just five days in England, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has revealed.
Starting from Monday, people in isolation will be able to leave isolation after negative lateral flow tests on days five and six.
It is touted to be in response to increasing staffing shortages in some sectors, notably the NHS.
The isolation time was cut from 10 days to seven with negative tests on days six and seven in December.
Mr Javid claimed that the UK was “the freest in Europe” and praised the country’s efforts saying they were “leading the world in how to live with Covid”.
UK Health Security Agency showed that up to two-thirds of cases are non-infectious after five days.
He also told the House of Commons that the virus was “still with us and there are still likely to be difficult weeks ahead”.
However, he gave positive news as early data indicates that infection rates were decreasing in London and the East of England.
It is not yet known whether Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland will follow suit as they have their own independent isolation rules.
During the week ending 9 January, around five per cent of NHS were off due to Covid.
It follows the news that France have relaxed travel rules between them and the UK.
From Friday, vaccinated travellers will no longer need a compelling reason to enter France and will not have to isolate when they arrive, however a negative test will be required 24 hours before leaving the UK.
