Isolation reduced to 7 days *MNHQ editing to make clear this is England-only so far*

[Jourdain11]

It's been confirmed.

BBC News - Covid: Self-isolation cut from 10 days to seven with negative test
www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-59749447

Thanks op, fingers crossed Scotland follows!

How’s this going to work?

“ And people ending isolation on day seven will be told to limit contact with vulnerable people, not visit crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, and work from home.”

People aren’t doing it for seven days as it is!

Oh for crying out loud, DS comes out of isolation on the 27th so this will save our original Christmas plans, except my mum sent to the supermarket for me tonight and has just dropped off the ingredients for a full Christmas dinner.

I guess just, maybe consider not going to visit a care home or going to the cinema? Many are wfh anyway. It's advice, though, not law.

I personally think it is a good step and the LFT requirement is quite a good idea. Anecdotally, my kids did LFTs each day of Covid (just for our curiosity) and they stopped getting positives on Day 5 (even DD1, who was quite unwell - other two were asymptomatic).

Interesting time to announce, haha - unless I missed it earlier.

@Tippexy

People aren’t doing it for seven days as it is!

There are always going to be people with no sense of social responsibility, unfortunately.

It seems like a good move though for people not to be isolating any longer than they have to.

Buzzards to announce now, as if people aren’t struggling enough to get LFT. I remember being positive on day 8 and negative day 9….but everyone is different

@ilovesooty

It seems like a good move though for people not to be isolating any longer than they have to.

Yep, exactly, especially when there are staffing shortages. And generally better not to be confined indoors for longer than necessary, if you're feeling well.

My 10 day isolation ends on the 27th, I'm missing my 6 year olds birthday today, if I'm negative on 23rd and 24th I can "legally" spend Xmas with my dc? I'm so hopeful, yet I'm not sure I can deal with the disappointment if I still give a positive lft.

With cases rocketing don’t think now is the time to bring this in. Supposedly to ease the strain of people being off sick but guidance states to wfh and avoid people. Also didn’t think you should test until 90days after infection because the results aren’t accurate? And finally with our case rates so high other countries bringing in restrictions and Israel advocating a 4th jab for over 60s…what do we do…cut isolation requirements!!

I didn't even test positive on an lft til day 7 after pcr!

Great idea. LF tests are so accurate they haven't once shown positive for my dd who is pcr positive and (now) symptomatic. 🤦‍♀️

@Daisydoor12

With cases rocketing don’t think now is the time to bring this in. Supposedly to ease the strain of people being off sick but guidance states to wfh and avoid people. Also didn’t think you should test until 90days after infection because the results aren’t accurate? And finally with our case rates so high other countries bringing in restrictions and Israel advocating a 4th jab for over 60s…what do we do…cut isolation requirements!!

You’re not supposed to take PCR tests for 90 days after a positive but you absolutely can do lateral flow tests

What’s the deal with close contact isolation for the unvaccinated? Is that still 10 days?

Yes

I think this is a reasonable move. You have to have a negative lateral flow, which is good. I was negative on day 9, so would have been free one day earlier I suppose! But I know lots of kids who were negative on day 5/6. It should hugely help minimise disruption to their education etc.

At the end of the day, we can’t keep isolating forever when barely ill. Most people will not be overly infectious by day 7 & will not be able to infect that many people. France have had a 7 day iso period for over a year & done alright.

A sensible move forwards, the timing is a bit questionable ..

It means, provided we all have negative LFT’s, we’ll be able to go out for some much needed fresh air on Christmas Day. Obviously we won’t be dashing off to anyone’s house for a party, but will do us all some good to get a change of scenery, fresh air and exercise. I’m feeling positive for the first time in days.

Triple vaxed friend on 2nd round of COVID only tested negative for 5 days

Ds was neg on Monday! Can't come out til Friday, but we ate now going to the park today. We have been in since the 14th and are all so weary and need the fresh air .

@WotgunShedding you are meant to do another PCR within 90 days of infection if you have new symptoms, as it says in the image you posted.

I hope employers remember this doesn't mean everyone will be well enough to go back to work after 7 days

@Eyerollsausageroll

My 10 day isolation ends on the 27th, I'm missing my 6 year olds birthday today, if I'm negative on 23rd and 24th I can "legally" spend Xmas with my dc? I'm so hopeful, yet I'm not sure I can deal with the disappointment if I still give a positive lft.

If you live in the same house you can legally see them as much as you want.

I don’t think it will help much. Wouldn’t most health workers be classed as working with vulnerable people? And schools are not properly ventilated so children won’t be able to return to school.

Most people aren’t isolating in any case!