Self isolation period shortened to 10 days

Photo: Carson Liu - stock.adobe.com

People who test positive should continue to self-isolate for 10 days from onset of symptoms or 10 days from point of taking a positive test if asymptomatic

The 14-day self isolation period will reduce to just 10 days on Monday (14 December).

The change to the isolation period for contacts will apply to all those who are currently self-isolating, including those who commenced self-isolation before Monday.

Self-isolation periods will begin on the day after exposure, a test or the start of symptoms.

People who return from countries which are not on the travel corridor list should also self-isolate for 10 days instead of 14 days. The passenger locator form will be updated from Monday.

People who test positive should continue to self-isolate for 10 days from onset of symptoms or 10 days from point of taking a positive test if asymptomatic.

Due to the time taken to test technical changes and release updates through the app store, the NHS Covid-19 app will tell close contacts to isolate for 10 days instead of 14 days from Thursday 17 December.

In England, if you receive a notification from the NHS Covid-19 app before 17 December to isolate because you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive:

• you must follow isolation guidance provided by contact tracers if you have also been contacted by NHS Test and Trace
• if you have been advised to isolate by the app (and not by NHS Test and Trace) then you can leave isolation when your isolation countdown timer says 3 days.