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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder when they'll scrap isolation rules?

62 replies

GettingThemFromHereToThere · 07/02/2022 18:25

I'm really not seeing the point of testing and isolating anymore.

With Omicron, and mass vaccination, far fewer people are entering hospital and dying due to Covid.

We know Omicron is highly contagious and most people are getting it now at some stage with very little if any symptoms.

The biggest impact on the NHS is now the ridiculously long waiting lists, including Cancer as the news outlets highlighted today, mainly due to staff isolation (not sickness).

Most of those vulnerable are vaccinated. There's also lots of evidence that those who were vulnerable to Delta are no longer particularly vulnerable due to the milder effects of Omicron. Also, we can't stop the spread of Omicron even if that's the intention of isolating. It's too contagious.

When will the government make responsive policies and scrap isolation?

Yes yes, you have Covid and a sniffle, so what! It's the mass isolation of healthcare workers and teachers that's having a huge impact on health and quality of life (and safeguarding). Not the illness itself.

I feel like we're finally at the stage where we should stop obsessing about Covid, and follow Denmark in eradicating Covid measures and start addressing the waiting lists and gaps in education etc.

AIBU?

OP posts:
forceofagreattyphoon · 07/02/2022 18:26

I’ve heard late next month is likely?

Original poster
GettingThemFromHereToThere · 07/02/2022 18:29

@forceofagreattyphoon

I’ve heard late next month is likely?
I hope so! Where did you hear that?

It still seems a bit late but late is better than never I guess!

OP posts:
Mumblechum0 · 07/02/2022 18:29

Totally agree

BooksAndHooks · 07/02/2022 18:36

I thought it was always going to be April.

AnyFucker · 07/02/2022 18:38

I heard March. Bring it on.

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 07/02/2022 18:39

The original legislation had a 2 year expiry date. They won't be able to extend that so then it all becomes guidance not law

SpringRainbow · 07/02/2022 18:39

I think this is happening in March at some point.

Not sure if this is definite or just a ‘leak’.

mummydoingamasters · 07/02/2022 18:39

I'm sure it's the 20 something of March? 24/26th maybe?

mummydoingamasters · 07/02/2022 18:42

Just found this posted by the guardian

To wonder when they'll scrap isolation rules?
forceofagreattyphoon · 07/02/2022 18:43

Just googled, on March 24th the legal requirement to isolate will expire and looks like there’s no plans to change that.

I think they are also stopping releasing daily covid statistics then?

Abraxan · 07/02/2022 18:44

There is no definite date.

The current rules are in place until mid March. At that point they will be reviewed.

Knowing Boris's current 'do all I can to save myself' he will likely scrap them, regardless of what any scientific or medicinal advice is. I don't know what the medical advice will be officially but doubt Boris will even check tbh.

There has been leaks that it will be scrapped.

StrongSunglasses · 07/02/2022 18:45

Yanbu

BaronessEllarawrosaurus · 07/02/2022 18:50

@Abraxan

There is no definite date.

The current rules are in place until mid March. At that point they will be reviewed.

Knowing Boris's current 'do all I can to save myself' he will likely scrap them, regardless of what any scientific or medicinal advice is. I don't know what the medical advice will be officially but doubt Boris will even check tbh.

There has been leaks that it will be scrapped.

There is a definite date, it was set when the coronavirus act received Royal Assent on the 25th March 2020. The act expires after 2 years. They don't need to be reviewed, they don't need to scrap any rules. The fact is that without taking further steps the rules all end.

There is no chance on earth that Boris would get more legislation through parliament to continue isolation as a legal requirement

GreenWheat · 07/02/2022 18:56

I hope so too. Isolation when not actually ill has been in my opinion, the most detrimental aspect of the pandemic.

ToykotoLosAngeles · 07/02/2022 18:56

YANBU.

Unfortunately I suspect I'm going to have to spend the next few months pointing out to 2 of my relatives that yes, this is the equivalent of being told they can go for a meal, it will not get any better, and they either risk it or don't do it ever again.

GrandTheftWalrus · 07/02/2022 18:59

Im sure Boris said you don't isolate for a cold or flu and that's basically what covid is turning into. Of course I'm in Scotland so we will still have to isolate until 2030!

DockOTheBay · 07/02/2022 18:59

24 th March would make sense. 2 years from date first lockdown started

jgw1 · 07/02/2022 19:01

@forceofagreattyphoon

I’ve heard late next month is likely?
The legislation that allows for compulsory isolation will fall off the statute books towards the end of March because it was limited to 2 years.

The Prime Minister is to weak to extend it.
Whether that is a good thing of not is a matter of debate, but do not let the government fool you into believing they are doing this because they believe it is the right thing for the country. It may be the right thing, but it is also the only option they have.

AndAnotherNewOne · 07/02/2022 19:02

@GrandTheftWalrus

Im sure Boris said you don't isolate for a cold or flu and that's basically what covid is turning into. Of course I'm in Scotland so we will still have to isolate until 2030!
Of course it isn't turning into flu. What a daft thing to say.

Have you heard of Long Covid? How many children and young people are seriously debilitated by it?

The vulnerable are still very much at risk.

Schools are already a hotbed of infection.

TheApexOfMyLife · 07/02/2022 19:03

We know Omicron is highly contagious and most people are getting it now at some stage with very little if any symptoms.

Are you happy to say that to the relatives of the 1700 people who died last week? As in telling them face to face?

Yes it’s a milder infection. Yes vaccines work (atm).
It doesn’t mean it’s not dangerous to people.
It will be especially dangerous to those who are more vulnerable to infection, aka people who are in hospital.
So yes you can scrap the isolation period but sending HCW back to hospital when they are still infectious, in contact with those who are the most vulnerable, might not an idea as good as you think it is.

TheApexOfMyLife · 07/02/2022 19:04

@GrandTheftWalrus

Im sure Boris said you don't isolate for a cold or flu and that's basically what covid is turning into. Of course I'm in Scotland so we will still have to isolate until 2030!
Covid is still about 14 times more deadly than the flu.

This is NOT the flu.

forceofagreattyphoon · 07/02/2022 19:13

Hmm perhaps there will be exception for certain jobs eg healthcare workers and care home staff?

SpringRainbow · 07/02/2022 19:18

@forceofagreattyphoon

Hmm perhaps there will be exception for certain jobs eg healthcare workers and care home staff?
I suspect employers may be free to introduce their own policies if they risk.

All it means is that it will no longer be legally enforceable.

NHS trusts already have their own Government policies that are much stricter than Government mandates and advice.

SpringRainbow · 07/02/2022 19:19

Ugh

Covid policies.

Mariposista · 07/02/2022 19:27

Can't wait - bring it on!!!!

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