Isolating after 16th August

[ScarlettSunset]

I'm aware that after 16th, people who are at least two weeks after their second jab won't need to isolate if they have had contact with a positive case.
I think I read that they will still need to take PCR test though after being contacted, but I'm not sure if I have understood that correctly.
I keep seeing comments on here about ignoring pings as you won't need to isolate anyway after that date, but I didn't think it was quite as simple as that. Not sure if the guidelines have actually been released yet or whether I'm just starting to make things up!

PCR test will be advisory not mandatory.

I want to know if I would need to isolate when my kids get symptoms - until their pcr results come back , because that’s been the most disruptive part of the process for me this last year or so . I wonder when they will release the details !

Thanks,

Hopefully, the full details of how it will work will start to be made clearer over the next few days

I’ve been thinking about this as well OP. And wondering whether there will be some restrictions. So could be that you have to test first. Or it could be that it’s only non-household contacts that don’t have to self isolate - if that makes sense.

I tried to find a complete set of rules but couldn’t. It is just very basic at the moment - unless anyone has a link?

It is very hard to find the law as it is dotted all over.
I found this Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021
" Citation, commencement, extent and application
1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) (Amendment) Regulations 2021.

(2) This regulation and regulation 2(2)(a)(i) come into force on 19th July 2021.

(3) The other provisions in these Regulations come into force on 16th August 2021.
...[these apply to England only...

These Regulations amend the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (Self-Isolation) (England) Regulations 2020 to ensure that a person can leave self-isolation to post an antibody test, and that the following people are not required to self-isolate if they have come into contact with a person who has tested positive for coronavirus—

(a)a person who has received a complete course of the coronavirus vaccination, provided that the contact takes place more than 14 days after they have completed their course of vaccinations,

(b)a person who has taken part in a vaccine trial,

(c)a person who can provide evidence that for clinical reasons they should not be vaccinated, and

(d)a child.

The Regulations also provide that, where a person comes within those categories, but was in a period of self-isolation on 16th August, their period of self-isolation will end at the beginning of that date, and make a number of consequential amendments.

It will be an end to all isolation for all close contacts.

Only OCR tests if you test positive on a lateral flow test or show symptoms.

They may recommend lateral flow tests for 7 consecutive days, but unlikely.

Pings will stop.

Even the unvaccinated won’t be treated any differently.

They will removal all legal requirements for social distancing and masks.

They will tell you to manage your own risk and out the cost and requirements on employers and remove any help for those isolating. This will create difficulties for some businesses as they won’t have staff - it will create issues with deliveries etc as places start closing as staff become ill.

Good luck.

www.gov.uk/government/news/self-isolation-to-be-eased-for-fully-vaccinated-adults-in-step-4

You will only isolate if you personally have a positive result, and be 'advised' not required to have a PCR if you have been close contact in 2 days prior to result. Other members of household won't isolate even with a positive case in household. Doesn't say if you have to self-isolate while you wait for PCR results but probably not.

Cases will inevitably rise but there will be less disruption to workplaces / schools (that is if not too many people actually become ill with Covid for them to operate).

Thanks Xenia and RumblyMumbly for posting the relevant parts of the regulations, it's very helpful.

Thanks. That's all very useful to know