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Speaking to the House of Commons today, Health Secretary Sajid Javid has announced a change in self-isolation rules. He said: “I understand that some people are cautious about their idea of easing restrictions, but we must balance the risks – the risks of a virus that has diminished but not defeated, against the risks of keeping these restrictions and the health, social and economic hardship that we know they bring.
“This pandemic is far from over and we will continue to proceed with caution.
“But we’re increasingly confident that our plan is working and that we can soon begin a new chapter based on the foundations of personal responsibility and common sense rather than the blunt instrument of rules and regulations.”
The rule changes are as follows:
- From August 16, those who have had two doses of the Covid vaccine and have come into contact with a positive case do not need to self-isolate
- Those under 18 who are a close contact of a positive case no longer need to self-isolate from August 16
For those who get vaccinated around August 16, they must wait two weeks before these freedoms apply to them.
Announcing the changes Mr Javid said: “We will soon be able to take a risk-based approach that recognises the huge benefits that the vaccines provide both to people who get the jab and their loved ones too.
“So from 16 August when even more people will have the protection of both doses, and when modelling suggests the risks from the virus will be even lower, anyone who’s a close contact of a positive case will no longer have to self-isolate if they have been fully vaccinated.
“If someone gets their second dose just before or just after 16 August, they’ll need to wait two weeks, after which their second jab can take effect and give them these new freedoms.”
On under-18s, Mr Javid said: “So in line with the approach for adults, anyone under the age of 18 who is a close contact of a positive case will no longer have to self-isolate.
“Instead they’ll be given advice about whether they should get tested, dependent on their age and will need to self-isolate only if they test positive.
“These measures will also come into force on August 16 ahead of the autumn school term.”
This will put an end to children having to miss school due to a positive case in their class, which will be a relief to parents across the country.
This is a breaking story, refresh for updates
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