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Original poster

Isolation cut to 5 days from Monday

85 replies

2X4B523P · 13/01/2022 12:40

Just heard on the wireless that from Monday 17th the isolation time will be five days. Another step towards getting back to normal and will help with staff shortages.

OP posts:
TwoCatsTwoHats · 13/01/2022 14:15

This could work both ways though. Employers pressuring employees to come back after 5 days without checking they are testing negative, or only paying for 5 days sick

Exactly this. I tested positive last week (LF and PCR) and still experiencing symptoms (temperature, non stop cough, sore throat, etc) and lat flow tests still very clearly positive but I 'should be back at work today as the guidance has changed' (from 10 to 7 days). God knows how much pressure I'll be under now it's only five days.

Toadsinholes · 13/01/2022 14:24

My dd was negative after 5 days - I also heard it’s 2/3rds of people who are. Great news!

teatime9999 · 13/01/2022 14:31

Fabulous. When delta made its way through our family, we were basically in isolation for 20 days. It was awful with 3 kids under 4 - they missed out on so much, and I damn near lost my mind. With just 5 days at risk (OK maybe 10 total), maybe I'll actually go out for fun.

User1isnotavailable · 13/01/2022 14:34

That's great. My primary age child was positive Monday and today is already negative but has to take isolating. Madness. No symptoms, negative testing now and still has to isolate.

User1isnotavailable · 13/01/2022 14:35

@Toadsinholes

My dd was negative after 5 days - I also heard it’s 2/3rds of people who are. Great news!
This.

All those people kept at home when they are fit and well. If you are still positive or unwell fair enough but the fit and healthy ones shouldn't be kept in isolation if negative.

CovidCorvid · 13/01/2022 14:36

Shame it’s from next Monday. I’m day 6 on Sunday but I’m not allowed to test on Saturday and Sunday and go out on Sunday! 🤷‍♀️

jgw1 · 13/01/2022 14:41

@OhDear2200

Considering everyone is saying that they still test positive in day 6&7 I don’t see what change this will bring?
The important thing is that Johnson can be seen to be doing something and leading the country, and also appeasing his backbenchers who do not understand why there have ever been any restrictions at all.
mrsnw · 13/01/2022 14:48

@CovidCorvid I know my DD has to isolate until midnight Monday. She's not pleased!!

Lollipopopop · 13/01/2022 14:50

@Lacedwithgrace

How many people will lie and say they tested negative to get out earlier? Ffs
The people that want or need to get out will do this.

The people who don’t want to go back to work will still be positive on day 10….

Dghgcotcitc · 13/01/2022 14:54

I am lost why people who formally tested and isolated will now break the rules in testing in days five and six, surely if you don’t want to isolate you just wouldn’t bother to start with?!…people on hear always want to think the worst of people but the logic doesn’t make a lot of sense

uncomfortablydumb53 · 13/01/2022 14:57

I think this a good idea in theory but my DS still tested positive on day 9.
Even if everyone is responsible and tests on days 4-5 I can see infection rates rising, especially as there is no need to confirm with a PCR

Jenasaurus · 13/01/2022 14:57

My DS (frontline worker) tested positive today, does that mean 7 days as it only changes on Monday, which means he will be out on Thursday next week as had symptoms this morning, did a lateral flow, very clear positive.

Jenasaurus · 13/01/2022 14:59

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo

Just for clarity the rule will be that if you test negative on day 4 and 5 you can go out on day 6.
The BBC say test negative on day 5 and 6 then you can go out :)
MarshaBradyo · 13/01/2022 15:01

UK Health Security Agency data shows that two-thirds of positive cases were no longer infectious by day five.

This sounds key as to why it will help, re everyone is still positive as in pp

jgw1 · 13/01/2022 15:11

@Jenasaurus

My DS (frontline worker) tested positive today, does that mean 7 days as it only changes on Monday, which means he will be out on Thursday next week as had symptoms this morning, did a lateral flow, very clear positive.
Yup. Now if he tested positive on Sunday, then someone who tests positive on Monday will be out before him.
VikingOnTheFridge · 13/01/2022 15:11

@Dghgcotcitc

I am lost why people who formally tested and isolated will now break the rules in testing in days five and six, surely if you don’t want to isolate you just wouldn’t bother to start with?!…people on hear always want to think the worst of people but the logic doesn’t make a lot of sense
There are people who test because their workplace or school won't have them back in until they do.
Caddycat · 13/01/2022 15:15

@mrsnw

My DD (13) tested positive on Sunday evening and was negative by Wednesday afternoon. She hasn't had one symptom. So it can turn negative quite quickly for some people.
Most likely because you missed the onset due to the lack of symptoms.
FredBair · 13/01/2022 15:19

LFTs pick up when you are most infectious so presumably all those still positive at days 6,7 + are still infectious and should still quarantine.

It seems like a good compromise to me. Those who are asymptomatic will most likely be negative sooner and those who are still infectious can't go out and infect others.

Chloemol · 13/01/2022 15:22

@HalfShrunkMoreToGo

Just for clarity the rule will be that if you test negative on day 4 and 5 you can go out on day 6.
This is what I have read

Instead, as of Monday people will be free in the sixth day - as long as they test negative on a lateral flow on days five and six.

So you have to test day 5 and 6 and after clear on day 6 you can go out

Not day 4 and 5

Caddycat · 13/01/2022 15:23

@Dghgcotcitc

I am lost why people who formally tested and isolated will now break the rules in testing in days five and six, surely if you don’t want to isolate you just wouldn’t bother to start with?!…people on hear always want to think the worst of people but the logic doesn’t make a lot of sense
Because it's beneficial to have it recorded that you have had it, even if you don't want to isolate. And even genuine people might be tempted to cheat when something comes up and they need to go out. Some people will cheat, some employers will put pressure on employees to come back, some will pretend to still be positive to avoid work...
Blubells · 13/01/2022 16:03

Considering everyone is saying that they still test positive in day 6&7 I don’t see what change this will bring

Because 'everyone' is clearly not everyone as over 60% of people do test negative after 5 days.

mrsnw · 13/01/2022 16:06

@Caddycat she was negative on Saturday. We tested her Saturday because we had family coming over. We all tested again on Sunday (we are critical workers so test everyday) and she positive. If we had only tested twice that week (so Saturday and Wednesday) we would have missed the infection completely. People really need to be testing daily to catch it 100%.

Blubells · 13/01/2022 16:06

How many people will lie and say they tested negative to get out earlier? Ffs

Probably the people who want to get back to work or education.

Those that would rather not (if they get sick pay) might not. They might lie and say they're still positive.

Floordrobe · 13/01/2022 16:08

I don't think it's true that 60% of people test negative after 5 days. I believe that a study has shown 60% of people are no longer infectious after 5 days. The government is using LFT as a proxy for infectiousness but this may not be the method the study used to determine infectiousness.

puppetear · 13/01/2022 16:09

What’s the benefit, @Caddycat?

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