Confused about isolation advice

[Yourteaisgettingcold]

My mind is such a jumble and I'm frankly not dealing with stress well at the moment so I cant process info.

Someone I know was in contact with a friend on Friday last week, that friend tested positive on Monday (without symptoms, they just took a test as had been planning on seeing elderly relatives). My friend has had a test yesterday and waiting results. They saw online that if someone in their support bubble tests positive over 48 hours after they saw them they dont need to isolate but then I've seen elsewhere something about 10 days if you are contacted by track and trace (they werent).

I'm a bit worried about my friend only leaving it 48 hours but then I have seen both bits of advice so I havent said anything to them. I dont understand why the advice is so different between support bubble exposure and track and trace exposure.

Anyone able to clear it up for me? Thanks

Test and Trace look at the contacts in the 48 hours before the positive test or when symptoms started. If you are a contact you isolate for 10 days from the contact.

Why did your friend get tested?
Did they have symptoms?

@dementedpixie

Why did your friend get tested? Did they have symptoms?

Is it that difficult to read the OP?

I'm talking about the 2nd friend

There are 2 friends involved here
Did you read the OP?

If you have no symptoms the test date is the start of the 10days isolation for the person who took the test (so Monday) Any one who had been in contact with that person 48hrs or less before the test needs to isolate (so you friend shouldn’t have to isolate as Friday was more than 48hrs before) she also didn’t need a test as you should only take a test if there are symptoms present

Lifeispassingby

Thank you, I understand that.

Yes, there are two friends involved but I dont actually know the friend of a friend. My friend took a test as they are concerned about having had contact with the original person who has tested positive (and then spreading it). While my friend is usually a cautious person I was a little surprised about the 48 hour thing but I couldnt think straight.

Doesnt help that these two people were having to travel into London each day for work in their office when they could have easily done the exact same job working from home.... but that's a whole other issue I suppose