Under new rules, which will be implemented by the Government this Tuesday, double vaccinated close contacts of Covid cases will not have to self-isolate if they receive a negative test – an option which isn’t open to the unvaccinated. In addition, those who are double jabbed but initially test negative will be recommended to take daily lateral flow tests for the next seven consecutive days. BBC News has the story.
Those who test positive, develop symptoms, or are unvaccinated should self-isolate for 10 days.
But people will not need to isolate if the tests remain negative and they have had at least two vaccine doses.
It means people in close contact with suspected or confirmed Omicron variant cases no longer always need to isolate.
NHS lateral flow tests – which are available in boxes of seven – are free from pharmacies or via online order.
The Government said the change in guidance “aims to reduce pressures on people’s everyday lives by replacing the requirement for Omicron contacts to isolate for 10 days”.
Anyone who has a positive result from a rapid test should take a confirmatory PCR test to verify the result, as well as continue to self-isolate.
They do not need to continue taking rapid tests during the isolation period.
If the PCR result comes back negative, contacts can leave self-isolation but should continue to take rapid lateral flow tests for the remainder of the seven days.
This change follows a significant rise in Omicron cases across the U.K. with the new variant expected to become the dominant strain by mid-December.
The latest Omicron case numbers on Sunday show 1,239 new daily cases, bringing the total number of Omicron cases in the UK to 3,137 – although the real number is estimated to be much higher.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We are taking this proportionate and more practical measure to limit the impact on people’s day-to-day lives while helping to reduce the spread of Omicron.”
The Government says this new advice will be in guidance rather than law initially, but this will be kept under review.
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