The government has confirmed that self-isolation periods in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are to be shortened to 10 days from Monday 14 December.
The UK government has confirmed that this change will also be extended to the rest of its nations; England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
This change means that those who has come into close contact with someone who has tested positive for coronavirus will now need to self-isolate for a period of 10 days instead of 14. It also includes those who are quarantining after returning from a high-risk country. Currently, isolation periods for those who test positive is 10 days, and this is to remain the same.
Anyone who is currently self-isolating will be able to end their quarantine if they hit this 10-day mark from Monday, and will therefore not need to complete the full 14 days. However, if they do start to show symptoms in this time, or test positive for coronavirus, they will need to isolate for a further 10 days from this date as usual.
In a joint statement, the four UK chief medical officers (CMOs) have outlined that this decision came following a review of the evidence, saying that they are ‘confident’ self-isolation periods can be reduced in these circumstances.
Organisations will now be able to ask staff back into work after 10 days instead of 14, which will certainly help to reduce the impact of them not being able to come into the workplace for this period of self-isolation. Whilst staff that cannot work from home during this time will still be entitled to receive statutory sick pay (SSP), this will be shortened to 10 days instead of 14.
It should be noted that this will now apply across the UK, regardless of local restrictions. It is also understood that the NHS Test and Trace app will not be updated until Thursday. Because there will be a time-lag before it updates, anyone who has been advised to isolate by the app can leave isolation if their countdown timer hits three days between Monday and Thursday.
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