Boris Johnson ‘looking at’ reducing Covid isolation period from 7 days to 5

Boris Johnson has said he is ‘looking at’ cutting the Covid isolation period from seven days to five days amid ongoing staff shortage concerns.

Speaking to Sky News this morning, the Prime Minister said while the government is considering reducing the self-isolation period, they would still follow the scientific advice.

When asked if he sees the benefits of reducing the quarantine period, Johnson said: “Yes of course, we are looking at that and we will act accordingly to the science as we always have.”

He also addressed the reports regarding free lateral flow tests being axed, saying that they would continue to be made available.

“We are going to have to make sure we continue to use testing as one of our most important lines of defence for as long as is necessary.

“The other line of defence in addition to testing is of course getting vaccinated. The boosters are going well. We have now done 36 million boosters – 90% of people over fifty – but clearly there is an opportunity for people who have not been boosted.”

This comes three weeks after the Covid self-isolation period was reduced from ten days to seven with a negative test.

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Health Secretary Sajid Javid said the new rule would ‘minimise disruption’ caused by the rapid spread of the Omicron variant, as well as ease pressures on the NHS, which has come under huge strain after a number of its workforce remain in isolation due to Covid.

The chief executive of NHS Providers Chris Hopson also spoke of the impact the previous isolation periods were having on the NHS, telling The Times: “The impact on the workloads of remaining staff who are already working incredibly hard given the huge demands on the service is a major concern.

“Unlike last January, trusts are not only dealing with Covid-19 care but also seeing real pressure on emergency care, tackling a significant backlog of routine care and accelerating and expanding the vaccination campaign.”