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Self-isolation for positive Covid test could be scrapped this month, Boris Johnson says
The requirement to isolate might could end a full month earlier than expected
Boris Johnson has said he plans to end all remaining Covid restrictions – including the requirement to self-isolate after testing positive – a month early.
Under the current rules, which are due to expire on March 24th, anyone who tests positive must self-isolate for at least five days.
However, speaking to MPs today, the Prime Minister said he expected the last domestic rules would end ‘provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue’.
He said he intends to return after parliamentary recess – which is from February 21st – to outline the government’s strategy for ‘living with Covid’.
Johnson said: “It is my intention to return on the first day after the half-term recess to present our strategy for living with Covid.
“Provided the current encouraging trends in the data continue, it is my expectation that we will be able to end the last domestic restrictions – including the legal requirement to self-isolate if you test positive – a full month early.”
In England, anyone who develops symptoms or tests positive for Covid via a PCR or lateral flow test must immediately self-isolate.
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They can only leave quarantine after five full days if they have two negative LFT results twenty-four hours apart.
This comes after a senior source said the Government is considering abandoning all legally-binding restrictions in England and moving to a guidance-based system as it moves towards ‘living with the virus’ like the flu by March.
The official stated that even the most basic rules could be lifted, such as compulsory self-isolation of cases and the requirement to co-operate with Test and Trace.