Why they relaxing the rules on isolation and under 5's when cases increasing?

[OriginalM]

It doesn't make sense when they say they are trying to avoid lockdown but won't hesitate to bring more restrictions in and basically saying we are screwed but then change the rules overnight about the isolation cut to 7 days and the under 5's don't have to isolate.

I'd say it's due to the fact people are more likely to stick to the isolation rules if it's shorter.

My DH and DD were both negative on LFTs after a week. Stayed in/off school but it felt a bit unnecessary.

I'm sure I read that the infectious period is only for 5 days anyway. So it seems a sensible change in the system.

Staff shortage issues (if people are asymptomatic and well enough to work). Other countries have had this for a while.

You are most infectious a couple of days before and up to about 5 days after symptoms then it drops off quite dramatically.

What is the update on under 5s OP? I can only find info about the 7 days and testing.

To stop staff shortages having such a crippling impact on essential services.

Because Omnicron appears to have a shorter incubation time than the other variants.

To make it more manageable so that people comply (7 days it better than 0 days)

I agree that it seems bizarre in the circumstances but I'm guessing that this is why?

@Delatron

Staff shortage issues (if people are asymptomatic and well enough to work). Other countries have had this for a while.

You are most infectious a couple of days before and up to about 5 days after symptoms then it drops off quite dramatically.

This in a nutshell. It’s primarily about staffing issues, any other perceived societal benefits (or not depending on your stance) is a byproduct.

What’s the change to under 5’s?

Because the higher level goal is keeping the NHS and other services running. Preventing covid is only the goal as far as it achieves that, so if the measures to prevent covid spreading are themselves stopping things working by causing staff absence they need to rethink.

Because there are so many staff off sick isolating or off to look after kids who are isolating that essential services like hospitals and trains are struggling

That’s the only reason

Because it appears to be a mild virus. People don't isolate for 10 days with a cold?

Perhaps it's a good idea to get this omicron wave over with quickly?

And if hospitalisations stay relatively low, then exposure to omicron may actually be a good thing as it boost our immunity and displaces the delta variant

@Thirtytimesround

Because there are so many staff off sick isolating or off to look after kids who are isolating that essential services like hospitals and trains are struggling

That’s the only reason

Ah, kids isolating, that makes sense. NHS staff presumably would have issues with going back to look after sick patients if they themselves were recently positive; but if this means they don't need time off for so long for childcare, I can see that would help.

Omicron apparently stops being infectious after about four days, so with a negative lateral flow it makes perfect sense to let people out of isolation sooner now.

The cynic in me says it’s so that people can have Christmas. Maybe someone in the cabinet is currently isolating 😂

@Bluntness100

Omicron apparently stops being infectious after about four days, so with a negative lateral flow it makes perfect sense to let people out of isolation sooner now.

Where did you find that info?

I can’t see anything about exemptions for under 5s either. Can someone link?

Mainly because you are more likely to be infectious at the start than after 7 days. 7 days will hopefully make people more likely to comply (I imagine they are worried about people not testing/not isolating). Because it gets people who are recovered back into work and circulation again more quickly. Because the vaccination programme is working. Because we are getting better models of the science all the time.

because if your symptoms have gone and you have 2 negative tests you are not infectious.

At the beginning of the pandemic it was 14 days.

Our understanding has changed.

In Holland you can come out after 5 days if symptom free, because if you are symptom free, then you are not infectious.

Yes as pp says it's about keeping the NHS running. So many staff off isolating is having a worse impact on the service than actual hospitalisations of Covid cases.

In Holland you can come out after 5 days if symptom free, because if you are symptom free, then you are not infectious.

Really?

At the moment, hospital admission and death aren't rising dramatically but the staffing is horrendous due to everyone having to isolate and how fast it's spreading. I would say it's a positive really!

I think Bojo’a train of thought is that it’s mild and so letting rip is a good thing.
Whether this is accurate, only time will tell.

@Blubells

In Holland you can come out after 5 days if symptom free, because if you are symptom free, then you are not infectious.

Really?

BIL is a doctor in Holland.

They have changed this recently.

5 days, and 24 hours symptom free and you can come out fo isolation

no idea if they are using LFT

I think Bojo’a train of thought is that it’s mild and so letting rip is a good thing.

And it speeds up this wave - hopefully cases will plateau soon and then start to fall. Like in South Africa

There is a lot of concern about the potential impact of high case numbers.

I think it must be more of a balance between the benefits of keeping down numbers and the negative impact of caution around isolation, in terms of workforce etc.

This has been announced days before Christmas so there will be an immediate impact for a number of people who would otherwise be isolating.

In Wales under 5s haven't had to test or isolate for a while now, because research suggest it is a struggle to accurately test under 5s and under 5s do not spread covid as easily due to smaller mouths and Airways.