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

@Rummikub

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.”

I’m just relieved that we’ll be able to get out for a walk on days 8-10 which will do DD and I a world of good.

@BitterTits

Despite the caveats about crowded and poorly ventilated spaces, for those who can't work from home, this will mean increased pressure to attend work unwell or face disciplinary - even though the place where those people are most likely to catch Covid is work.

As always, it mainly benefits those who can protect themselves by working from home.

If that's an issue for you, then presumably you don't say you had a negative test?

This makes sense.
The data shows those with Covid are most contagious before symptoms appear and a few days after that.
There’ll always be outliers of course. But predominantly, there’s not much sense in well non contagious people being forced to quarantine.

If that's an issue for you, then presumably you don't say you had a negative test?

I'm sure we would have to give evidence, and as PPs say, LFTs are often negative while PCRs are positive. Not to mention that public facing workers will be dealing with people who claim to have take a neg LFT. LFT tests are negative if you simply use the carrier without swabbing.

Being infectious and still being ill are 2 different things. I remember when DH had Whooping Cough (a notifiable disease). He had blood tests to diagnose and GP gave medication although he said that by the time he'd been tested he was probably no longer infectious as he'd been symptomatic for a few days. DH stayed off work for 1 week as he works with ECV people. He had the cough for much longer than that. Amazingly I didn't catch it.

Odd timeing when we know so little about omicron. The obvious consequence is that few will bother doing PCRs or formally log their infection. We'll loose track of symptoms, reinfections, variants, booster efficacy etc as people will just decide for themselves whether it's worth reporting or ignoring.

@JurgensCakeBabyJesus

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.

Your mum is lovely @JurgensCakeBabyJesus, go and give her a big hug on Christmas Day What on earth is your username btw?!

@BitterTits

If that's an issue for you, then presumably you don't say you had a negative test?

I'm sure we would have to give evidence, and as PPs say, LFTs are often negative while PCRs are positive. Not to mention that public facing workers will be dealing with people who claim to have take a neg LFT. LFT tests are negative if you simply use the carrier without swabbing.

Isn't the test void rather than negative if you don't swab?

I was suggesting this a few days ago.

Evidence suggests that peak infectious period is while you are presymptomatic and early in the infectious period. Ten days isolation feels like shutting the door after the horse has bolted.

In a situation where there are few infections it makes more sense to isolate people for 10 days but when it’s running rampant like it is now the marginal benefit of extended isolation is not worth the cost of having so many people unable to work etc.

@containsnuts

Odd timeing when we know so little about omicron. The obvious consequence is that few will bother doing PCRs or formally log their infection. We'll loose track of symptoms, reinfections, variants, booster efficacy etc as people will just decide for themselves whether it's worth reporting or ignoring.

Surely it’s the opposite - more people will test if they think they have to isolate for less time?

Bloody brilliant news for people with common sense I currently have Covid and am absolutely fine. Tested negative today in day 6 in an LFt. Will completely be using my common sense and not seeing granny at Christmas. However I can go to an empty office and work to catch up on all I've missed. Also as a small business owner the relief! Of course if someone is ill they don't need to come in. However, we work on a farm. Our staff are all fit, healthy and triple vaccinated. If they are negative on lft's they can work by themselves, in huge spaces often outside. It's bloody brilliant.

Is this for people who are currently isolating? My dd ends isolation the day after Boxing Day- we've had to cancel plans as a result!

Excellent idea to deal with the staffing crisis but the lack of shielding for the vulnerable whilst cases are so high scares me if we are also releasing the mildly infective.

This will give more people the idea it's safe to see granny on Xmas day (its isn't) as they are out of isolation and we are heading into more restrictions on the healthy.

Would have been better announcing it to start on the 26th.

...IN ENGLAND

So there's no point in doing a PCR really. Saves us. DD has cough, fever, sore throat but negative x3 on LFT. Should we take that as proof she's not contagious with covid and just crack on?

@Halloweenrainbow

So there's no point in doing a PCR really. Saves us. DD has cough, fever, sore throat but negative x3 on LFT. Should we take that as proof she's not contagious with covid and just crack on?

Wtaf?

Those are main symptoms which need PCR testing, not LFT.

Will schools have to follow this too? What if they say to stick to 10 days?

I can't imagine schools will be given different, stricter rules. Most rules within English schools are more lax than for the general public as it is.
I very much don't schools will be able to ask for evidence if the LFT results either.

@Halloweenrainbow

So there's no point in doing a PCR really. Saves us. DD has cough, fever, sore throat but negative x3 on LFT. Should we take that as proof she's not contagious with covid and just crack on?

No, I think you are completely misunderstanding this new rule and why it has been introduced.

@Halloweenrainbow

So there's no point in doing a PCR really. Saves us. DD has cough, fever, sore throat but negative x3 on LFT. Should we take that as proof she's not contagious with covid and just crack on?

NO!

You have key symptoms in the household. Go and get a PCR and have the person with symptoms isolate until,their results comes back. And then act accordingly.

The LFT rule change is to do with ending isolation early, AFTER a positive PCR.

@Halloweenrainbow

So there's no point in doing a PCR really. Saves us. DD has cough, fever, sore throat but negative x3 on LFT. Should we take that as proof she's not contagious with covid and just crack on?

Jesus Christ. Is this a joke post?

Lateral flows are for NO SYMPTOMS.

Your daughter needs a PCR.

@boomshakalacka

Is this for people who are currently isolating? My dd ends isolation the day after Boxing Day- we've had to cancel plans as a result!

Yes it is… you just still need those negative lfts on day 6 and 7 though

I'm giving off a faint line on day 9, so what does that mean? I'm released tomorrow.

I think that's okay.

But be warned, DH and both DS's took 2 weeks to be negative on their lateral flows (they were still unwell after 10 days). DD never had a positive lateral flow, but the PCR was positive.

Fingers crossed beginning of the end of testing and returning to normal times.

Stupid imo.
Clearly people are still infectious by the comment about the vulnerable and wfh!
Its absolutely nothing to do with making it easier for people and all to dowith the tories wanting you back at work regardless.