Under 18 don't have to isolate but do daily testing

[CityGirl182]

If I've read it right, after 16 August, under 18s and those double vaccinated won't have to isolate if they come into contact with a close Covid contact, but do a daily test instead? Is that right?

Are they really suggesting we do an invasive test on our children every day for 10 days?! Its trauma to do it once on my 5 year old, we can't do it repeatedly, so looks like isolating is our only option, so we're still going to have kids kissing loads of school and nothing changes? Or have I missed something?

@Wtf1980

What if someone in your household tests positive, or has symptoms? Will we still all have to self isolate for that?

Thank you, all adults are double vaccinated in my household. We were of a lot during the last year self isolating due to symptoms from my children. At least every 4 weeks, not so bad when tests were coming back within 24 hours, but sometimes it was taking 5 days.

It’s also not clear yet whether you will have to isolate whilst waiting for the single pcr results. Given the increased number of people who will be doing pcr if contacts are advised to do one instead of isolating you could be waiting several days for the results to come back.

No, you don’t.

I had no idea that household members of Covid positive cases will also be exempt from isolating.

This never actually occurred to me.

@SpringRainbow

I had no idea that household members of Covid positive cases will also be exempt from isolating.

This never actually occurred to me.

That is implicit in the current guidance around changes to the rules on self isolation from August 16th.

Whether it will be modified closer to that date (or more likely, on / after that date as the government actually turns its brain on) is yet to be seen.

There will not be daily testing and the PCR is "advised" only.

I teach 6th formers. Does that mean those that are 18 but haven't yet had their 2 jabs will be isolating? I will have a 2 tier system in classes. That's going to be tricky. Nothing magical happens to them physiologically on their 18th birthday.

I get their are rules for a reason but this will disadvantage the older class members. 😒

I think 16 Aug is still 3 weeks away and it's highly likely that this will have changed by then.

I'd like to think that we can stop the disruption of so many isolations and I'd certainly take a test to avoid isolating, but if I'm brutally honest, if I have no symptoms and could get away without doing the test I would. I'm one of the most compliant, law abiding people you've ever met, so if I've got to that stage, there will be 1000s like me.

@wantmorenow

I teach 6th formers. Does that mean those that are 18 but haven't yet had their 2 jabs will be isolating? I will have a 2 tier system in classes. That's going to be tricky. Nothing magical happens to them physiologically on their 18th birthday.

I get their are rules for a reason but this will disadvantage the older class members. 😒

I think I saw something that there would be a 4 month grace period to allow them to get their vaccinations.

Thanks, that would be sensible. I teach science so they have mandatory practicals to complete and doing catch ups would be very disruptive. Fingers crossed this has been thought out for those caught in the middle twilight zone. 👍🤞

I have a 17yo, turns 18 in November. Can’t get vaccinated but as soon as he turns 18 will have to self isolate if pinged until he is double jabbed. Didn’t sit GCSEs, missed out on masses of school, huge amount of online learning and lock down. Never complained, has been a trooper, but seems destined to be fucked once again (unless the guidance means unvaccinated people of 19yo upwards, but I doubt it). I’m gin gin to write to my MP and ask them to make the jab available at 17 3/4 but I doubt it will help. I’d just like him to have as near normal a last year of school as he can.

@Donationwitheverypack - that would be amazing if true, will have to go back over the guidance again. Thank you!

I know Wales is including those within 3 months of their 18th birthday as eligible for jabs now. Not heard same for England yet. Again I do hope so.
@Donationwitheverypack it's your child's situation I'm thinking of exactly. Would be no parity in terms of schooling across the same class.

Oops sorry wrong PP

@autumnboys

the jab is avaliable 3 months before their 18th then a grace period afterwards. Loads of time to sort out 2 jabs without going back to needing to isolate.

@kimlo thank you for that information - where does it come from please? The gov booking website still says to make an appointment on or after your 18th birthday. Thank you.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-57885845.amp here for the 3 month before turning 18.

www.gov.uk/government/publications/what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges-during-the-coronavirus-covid-19-outbreak/step-4-update-what-parents-and-carers-need-to-know-about-early-years-providers-schools-and-colleges#tracing-and-self-isolation here for them being considered as an under 18 for 4 months after their 18th.

@kimlo thank you very much for those links, very grateful!

Whether the international boarding students under 18s’ will still have to isolate when they come to school this September? I am really confused about it!