The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, has confirmed that the self-isolation period for people in England will be cut from 10 days to seven for those who can produce negative lateral flow results on both day six and their final day of quarantine.
Under the previous rule, people had to self-isolate for 10 full days if they tested positive for coronavirus.
The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Sajid Javid, said:
"We want to reduce the disruption to peoples everyday lives caused by the pandemic so today we will be cutting the self-isolation period from 10 days to seven days for those people that take a lateral flow on day six and day seven and the result of both those tests are negative.”
"This decision has been informed by the advice of our clinicians at the UKHSA who have looked at this very carefully and they are very comfortable that the protection provided by making this change - so that people can leave isolation after day seven as long as they have taken these two lateral flow tests and the results are negative - that the protection it provides is very similar to 10 days of isolation without tests.”
"Of course, anyone who leaves after day seven under this new procedure should continue to remain cautious but we are also very clear that the very best way to protect ourselves, our loved ones, our community is to make sure you get boosted if your eligible."
Welcoming the news was St Austell and Newquay’s Member of Parliament Steve Double. He said:
“As we continue to improve our understanding of the virus, I am pleased to see the Government review and change the periods of time people have to stay isolated following a positive COVID-19 test. This will cut down on disruption at work and at home, providing people continue to follow the testing process.”
“I urge the people of Cornwall to get your booster jab, which will of course help us all in the fight against this virus and will continue to work with the Government to ensure our response is sensible and proportionate.”