COVID-19 Update: self-isolation cut to five days

Self-isolating for those testing positive for COVID-19 has been cut to five days, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has said.

Javid told the Commons that from Monday 17 January, people will be able to leave isolation after negative lateral flow tests on the fifth and sixth days of their self-isolation period.

The move has been made to reduce pressures on staffing across a number of sectors, including road transport. It follows a move to cut the self-isolation period from 10 to seven days in December.

RHA view

Speaking about the move, Executive Director – Policy and Public Affairs, Rod McKenzie, said: “The RHA welcome the move as it helps hard pressed logistics supply chains to manage staff shortages better at a critical time of year.”

Assist economy

Javid said the decision was made to assist the economy while “minimising the risk of people leaving isolation”.

According to data, around two-thirds of positive cases were no longer infections by day five – and people would be able to leave isolation at the start of day six, following a second negative test the day before.

Javid said though that the virus was “still with us” and there were “difficult weeks ahead”.