The rules regarding self isolation after close contact with someone who has Covid are relaxing for some critical workers in England. Eligible people who are fully vaccinated can continue working and take daily tests instead.
The move comes after growing criticism over the number of people told to self-isolate, and the impact it’s having on industry.
The government will publish a list of critical workers that the new rule will apply to. Prime Minister Boris Johnson says it will include NHS, care, food, utility and border staff. However, “this is not a blanket exemption for any sector or role”. Eligible people will receive a letter from the government specifically addressed to them.
The new rule is also limited to those who have received both vaccine doses, and don’t have any Covid symptoms.
Nearly all legal limits lifted in England on Monday as Covid measures eased for the final stage out of lockdown. Meanwhile, the country recorded another 39,950 cases of the virus and 19 deaths within 28 days of a positive test.
The PM says test, trace and isolate is still an “essential” part of the government’s Covid response, and “continuing sacrifice” is needed. People who have had close contact with positive cases of the virus are five times more likely to get Covid themselves.
Mr Johnson, along with Chancellor Rishi Sunak, is currently self-isolating. This follows them coming into close contact with Health Secretary Sajid Javid, who tested positive for the virus over the weekend.
Avoiding the spread of Covid
During a conference from his country residence, Mr Johnson named some of the sectors that would have eligibility. Those exempt from self-isolation will include workers involved in food supply, water and electricity, and staff on the border and railways. But exemption will only apply for work purposes, and involve a “very, very small number of named critical workers”. The government are reluctant to “extend it too widely” because they don’t want to contribute to the spread of Covid.
Meanwhile, vaccines minister Nadhim Zahawi confirmed the change of rules will apply to health and social care staff in England.
Current self-isolation rules in England state that anybody traced as a close contact of a confirmed positive case must quarantine for 10 days. Isolation is a requirement irrespective of whether or not they have had both doses of a vaccine. However, changes coming on 16 August will mean those who are fully vaccinated can take daily Covid tests rather than isolate. This will also be the case for children under 18 years old.
The Delta variant is still causing a surge in infections, meaning increased numbers of people told to self-isolate. Between 1 – 7 July the NHS Covid-19 app sent over 530,000 contact tracing alerts in England and Wales. In addition, people can also receive isolation orders by law from a separate process run by NHS Test and Trace.
The blanket stay at home orders for close contacts is having a crippling effect on pubs, supermarkets and other businesses. Theatres have had to cancel show performances too.
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