From Monday, 17 January, people with COVID-19 in England can end their self-isolation after five full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6.
The decision has been made after careful consideration of modeling from the UK Health Security Agency and to support essential public services and workforces over the winter.
It is crucial that people isolating with COVID-19 wait until they have received two negative lateral flow tests on two consecutive days to reduce the chance of still being infectious.
The first test must be taken no earlier than day 5 of the self-isolation period, and the second must be taken the following day. If an individual is positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on day 6 and day 7 to release from isolation.
It is essential that two negative lateral flow tests are taken on consecutive days and reported before individuals return to their job or education, if leaving self-isolation earlier than the full 10 day period.
For instance, if an individual is positive on day 5, then a negative test is required on both day 6 and day 7 to release from self-isolation, or positive on day 6, then a negative test is required on days 7 and 8, and so on until the end of day 10.
Those who leave self-isolation on or after day 6 are strongly advised to wear face coverings and limit close contact with other people in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, work from home if they can do so and minimize contact with anyone who is at higher risk of severe illness if infected with COVID-19.
The default self-isolation period continues to be 10 days, and you may only leave self-isolation early if you have taken two LFDs and do not have a temperature in line with guidance.
Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid said:
After reviewing all of the evidence, we've made the decision to reduce the minimum self-isolation period to five full days in England.
These two tests are critical to these balanced and proportionate plans and I'd urge everyone to take advantage of the capacity we've built up in tests so we can restore more freedom to this country, whilst we are keeping everyone safe."
Existing public health measures remain in place, including:
- staying at home if you feel unwell
- getting a test if you experience any COVID-19 symptoms
- wearing a face covering in crowded, enclosed spaces
- working from home if possible
- maintaining social distancing and regular hand washing
- taking up the offer of the free COVID-19 vaccine
Self-isolation may continue in certain circumstances, such as for those who work with vulnerable people. A full list will be published in guidance in due course.
Vaccinations remain our best defense against COVID-19, offering substantial protection against infection and hospitalization - and the government continues to urge the public to get boosted as soon as you're eligible.
In line with today's announcement, the government will also consider the guidance for close contacts of people with COVID-19, including around the advice for fully vaccinated contacts to take daily LFDs for 7 days.
Background
- Under the current testing rules, around 6% of people will be infectious when they are released from isolation on day 7 following two consecutive negative LFDs.
- Once the guidance is changed to end isolation on day 6 with two consecutive negative lateral flow results, modeling from the UK Health Security Agency shows this figure will rise to around 7%.
- If you leave isolation on day 6, after 5 full days of isolation, between 20% and 30% of people are still infectious.
- The percentage of those released whilst infectious is reduced to around 7% if people have two consecutive negative tests and then leave isolation from day 6.
- The self-isolation period was previously reduced from ending on day 10 to day 7, with a negative LFD result taken 24 hours apart on day 6 and 7 on 22 December 2021.
- Individuals may only leave isolation once they have had two negative LFDs on two consecutive days; if they test positive on day 5, 6 or 7, they must continue testing until they have two negative tests.
- If you test positive for COVID-19 you must self-isolate, it is the law. The law states that you must self-isolate for ten days, however this change enables people who are not infectious, proven via two negative tests over two days, which can start from day 5, to leave isolation on day 6.
- If individuals test positive during their isolation period it does not restart the clock for the 10 day isolation period. Day 0 of the isolation period is when you first show symptoms or, if asymptomatic, the day you took your test.
- The rules for contacts have not changed. Fully vaccinated individuals who are identified as contacts of someone with COVID-19 should take daily LFDs for 7 days but are not legally required to self-isolate. Unvaccinated contacts are legally required to self-isolate for the full 10 day period.
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