If there is one thing that has been consistent since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic just less than 2 years ago it is that the rules and regulations about living with the coronavirus and trying to control the spread change regularly. That is why it is important, even more so now with the continued problem of variants like Omicron, that you stay updated on the changes to the rules about testing and self-isolating.
So, what are the latest rules about testing and self-isolating? That is what we are going to discuss in the following post.
The Rules of Self-Isolating
In England, as of January 17th, the rules regarding self-isolation have changed slightly. Before we get down to the details, it’s worth noting that different rules may apply to you depending on your vaccination status.
That is why we are going to take each group of people separately.
Rules on Self Isolation for Fully Vaccinated People
If you are fully vaccinated, the minimum period you need to self-isolate for has been reduced from 7 days to 5 days. Day zero is the day that you first have symptoms or test positive if you are initially asymptomatic. You are free from self-isolation if you have a negative lateral flow test result on both day 5 and day 6, with a minimum of 24-hours apart. That is, as long as you are not suffering from a high temperature.
If you have a positive result from one of those tests, you need to wait until you have two consecutive days of negative results before you can stop self-isolating, or wait out the full 10 day period.
If you Are Not Fully Vaccinated
If you have not had a minimum of 2 vaccine doses, you will still need to self-isolate for a minimum of 10 days if you have a positive test result or have been in close contact with anyone who has symptoms or has tested positive.
The self-isolation period begins when your symptoms started or when you test positive if you are asymptomatic and ends after 10 full days. If someone you live with tests positive for Covid, you need to self-isolate for at least 10 days from the day they test or when they start having symptoms.
Why Has the Self-Isolation Period Changed?
The self-isolation period has changed because the government has been under intense scrutiny and pressure from various industries that have been affected by shortages in staff due to self-isolation periods. Businesses wanted the Ku to follow the US in reducing the period for self-isolation from 7 to 5 days.
What If You Still Test Positive After Self-Isolating for 10 Days?
If you still test positive after 10 days of self-isolation, you can stop self-isolating. The only exception is if you test positive and experience a high temperature or still do not feel well. If your sense of taste or smell is still affected or you still have a cough, but no other symptoms, you are allowed to leave self-isolation.
According to the government guidance, you don’t need to take further LFD after the 10th full day of your self-isolation period and don’t need to self-isolate because it is unlikely that you would still be infectious at that point.
