New self isolation rules?

[ItsAllAboutTheLighting]

Uni have just told me that it looks like those in contact with someone that has covid will have to self isolate for 10 days.

I can't find this info anywhere, does anyone know?
It isn't confirmed yet, just looks likely.

Ds has covid and it effects the rest of the family so I wondered if anyone here had any idea or read about this?

Only if you have the omicron variant

Unless the uni is making its own policies

No one has to isolate at all unless contacted by track and trace

That has always been the case. It even says on gov website that 'even if you have been in contact with a case, you do not isolate until track and trace get in touch'. Its just so many took it into their own hands but even if confirmed as contact you do not have to isolate until traced.

Lots just literally made own rules up but its there in black and white on gov website - so even pre July freedom rules, Uni couldn't force you to self isolate.

They certainly can't now as they'd have no idea if this is new variant.

School have just emailed us saying if you are a contact of a new variant case you will be contacted by gtracka nd trace otherwise no isolation

It may depend on where you are, but in England, anyone in contact with the omicron variety will need to isolate. Otherwise it's remains those not double vaxxed. But T&T will need to contact you first.

Just checked govt website abs the self isolation rules have bit been updated yet. I expect they will be in the next 24 hours or so.

The question is, whether they just stick to only isolating contacts for those with confirmed or likely omicron or make all contacts wait until every sample has been sequenced, given that 50% + can’t detect it at normal PCR stage (special lab equipment needed/not enough virus on in sample).

Aaargh - *and the SI rules have not been updated yet.

We are very very south.

Are all the Omicron cases in Scotland?

@ItsAllAboutTheLighting

We are very very south.

Are all the Omicron cases in Scotland?

No, also reported in Essex and Nottingham

I thought it was only if it was only confirmed that they had been in contact with the Omicron variant.

They really need to confirm this is the case (or not). It's causing a huge amount of stress.

And yes, no one was ever obliged to isolate unless they were contacted by T&T.

I hope to God people don't reload that stupid app. Remember the chaos in the summer?

We’re wrestling with this. My in laws are due to arrive from overseas in mid-December, right before we are due to travel within the UK to stay with my parents for Christmas. In laws will need to do a day two PCR but if it’s the new variant we will all have to isolate for 10 days, which would take us past Christmas weekend. Am deliberating telling them to go to a hotel until they get their PCR result as am stressed about our Christmas plans being screwed (and being stuck at home with them for 10 days with none of us being able to do shopping and no hope of a delivery slot Christmas week). I’d even pay for the bloody hotel. But can’t decide if I am being unreasonably cautious.

Yesterday it was reported on BBC that omicron is suspected at initial PCR testing, then sample goes off for further sequencing to confirm.

I can't remember what, but there was something which distinguished it straightaway.

It is contacts of these suspected omicron cases that will have to isolate, regardless of vaccination status.

They said in the press conference that contacts of suspected omicron will need to isolate. But they haven't said how they're going define 'suspected' (at least definite caseswill be clearly known)

I am hoping there will be another announcemt soon making it abundantly clear how they will be notifying contacts of suspected/definite cases (agree T&T makes most sense, with perhaps schools having to join in again too)

At the moment it's not clear enough, and if not rectified in the next day or so, it's time to say hello to the next shambles

Found it.

www.itv.com/news/2021-11-28/why-it-may-take-too-long-to-identify-contacts-of-those-infected-with-omicron

'Health Secretary Sajid Javid told BBC presenter Andrew Marr this morning it would be possible to quarantine the contacts of those with Omicron for 10 days in a timely way because the new Covid variant comes up negative for the “S” gene in PCR tests (what he called “S gene drop out”), unlike Delta.'

unherd.com/2021/11/the-good-news-about-the-omicron-variant/

@GingerAndTheBiscuits they can do the test on arrival at the airport, and wait for results. It's a day 0-2 test. That way you know they'll be clear before they make it to your house. And if they test just before they leave it's very unlikely they would get a positive in that small travel window.

Thanks @endingintiers - I looked at the airport they’re coming into but it doesn’t look as if tests take place late enough in the evening they’re arriving on. I’ll look into it again!

The updated guidance for schools makes it clear they are not involved in tracing contacts of new variant

I don’t think they’ll test before they travel though as they’re fully vaccinated (though not had any boosters) and I can’t see that it’s a requirement but I’ll read up a bit more. They’ll have made zero plans for what to do if they test positive on arrival and need to self-isolate…