No need for full Covid contacts to isolate on Monday, Javid confirms | Corona Virus

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Fully vaccinated people in England will not be legally required to self-isolate upon contact with a positive case of Covid from Monday, and will instead be advised to take a PCR test – a notable shift from rules that have led to more than 14 million instructions to stay. at home.

Ministers confirmed that the statutory requirement for isolation would be replaced by a non-binding advice to have a double-lining test, in addition to those 18 years of age or younger. And those who come into contact with infected people will not be required to isolate while they wait for their results. For people who test positive, isolation will continue.

Health Minister Sajid Javid said on Wednesday evening that the government was able to move forward with the decision to fully exempt the vaccinated from the isolation rules on Monday, August 16, as planned, because “obtaining two doses of the vaccine has turned the odds in our favor and allowed us to safely regain our lost freedoms.” “.

Although Boris Johnson was under pressure from business to bring forward the August 16 date, due to the disruption caused by the “pandemic epidemic”, he said last month that the timetable was “in place” and there was no prospect of moving it.

But when the details were announced Wednesday night, they were less restrictive than they might be. Fully vaccinated people over the age of 18 are advised to get a PCR test only if they have been in close contact with a positive case, it is not required, and they will not be expected to be isolated while awaiting test results.

For young people, the cut-off point in practice will be 18 years and six months, because people who turn 18 will be exempted from isolation for another six months to allow time for them to get a full vaccination.

The new system should also end mass disruption to schools when pupils return to class next month as it would allow for a “bubble” system – which has contributed to nearly a quarter of pupils leaving school for Covid-related reasons by the end of the year. Summer – to be abandoned.

According to official data, there have been more than 9 million calls to people since the pandemic began from the English Test and Trace Service telling them they need to be isolated. Until now, this was a legal requirement.

There were also more than 5 million alerts sent out by the Covid app in England telling people they needed to be quarantined for the same reason, even though these “voices” were not legally binding on the recipients.

People who can prove they cannot be vaccinated for medical reasons will also be exempted from the isolation rules. And anyone told before August 16 to undergo isolation, with their isolation period ending after August 16, will instead be able to leave isolation from Monday.

Since fully vaccinated people are still susceptible to infection, if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus, they will be advised to take precautions such as wearing masks in enclosed spaces, and limiting contact with others, especially those who are clinically at risk.

Health and social care workers who are in close contact with a positive case will be allowed to return to work after a negative PCR test, but will have to take daily lateral flow tests as a precaution.

The government continues to set up testing centers in the workplace so that workers doing critical jobs that have not been fully vaccinated can use daily tests as an alternative to isolation.

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