At what point do you think isolating for 10 days will be scrapped?

[hopingforabrighterfuture2021]

Obviously not at the moment. But do you think it’s likely that at some point, the government will stop the legal requirement to self isolate if you have confirmed Covid? Along with that, I guess that would also mean the phasing out of testing if symptomatic?

Personally I don’t think it will happen in 2021, but eventually I’m sure it will?

We can still isolate people for other infectious diseases (eg TB, measles) and contact trace to identify the unusually vulnerable (including to offer prophylaxis)

So I don't think it's inevitable that there will be an end to isolation.

The aim is to keep case numbers low, so that hospitals can still function.

Given the number of people getting it twice, and with the link to hospitalisation being weakened, not broken (more in hospital now than back in March) I think this might be one of the diseases that retains an isolation period

I agree with those who think asymptomatic testing will go relatively soon, which will see fewer people isolating.

Followed by testing unless having severe symptoms, and another reduction in required isolation.

I do think the trend of working at home or even taking the day off at home when you have colds, coughs, etc will continue and we will see far fewer infections of those in schools, offices etc.

@ImInStealthMode

It has to stop at some point, and this is probably a pipe dream but I'd like to see a shift in attitude generally towards it being the standard to stay at home if you're symptomatic with anything contagious, backed up by more robust and sympathetic employment and school policies. As witnessed in another thread today the attitude of 'you must go to work unless your head is fully detached from your body' is bullshit.

I'm currently waiting for a PCR result as I've got 2 symptoms. I'm certain it's just a cold or sinus infection but it's perfectly fine for me to take my spluttery sniffly self to work tomorrow if I test negative for covid, despite the fact I'll likely pass it around to colleagues? It seems ridiculous.

I saw someone mention chicken pox above; that's not a mandatory legal isolation period is it, as far as I know? It would obviously be a dick move to take your chicken pox infected kid to the supermarket, but not illegal?

Yep!

@hopingforabrighterfuture2021

Obviously not at the moment. But do you think it’s likely that at some point, the government will stop the legal requirement to self isolate if you have confirmed Covid? Along with that, I guess that would also mean the phasing out of testing if symptomatic?

Personally I don’t think it will happen in 2021, but eventually I’m sure it will?

Given they are talking about covid passports at the Commonwealth Games next AUGUST I can't see the isolation requirement being dropped any time soon. I suppose it might be reduced to a week.

@user78231

Maybe they'll reduce it to 7 days first. Apparently the vast majority of infections are symptomatic/detected within the first 7 days and very few after that...

What we really need a test which shows it up in the first day or so. Although that would only really make a difference if you were a close contact - and they don't have to isolate anymore unless an employer requires it.

I haven't found anything to say Denmark is actually stopping testing and isolating when people have covid? Does anyone have a link to information about this?

The lifting of all restrictions seems to be about the covid passes they've had and other measures like that.

Anyway, as we're talking about needing booster jabs and waning immunity, it would seem extremely foolish at the moment to stop testing and isolating when people are ill with covid. Hospitals are struggling as it is without doing more to increase infection levels.

Given they are talking about covid passports at the Commonwealth Games next AUGUST

They probably have to prepare for worst case scenarios. Let’s hope they aren’t needed by then.

@bumbleymummy

Given they are talking about covid passports at the Commonwealth Games next AUGUST

They probably have to prepare for worst case scenarios. Let’s hope they aren’t needed by then.

NZ will very likely need that at the very least, assuming they've even abandoned their zero Covid strategy by then!