PM announces end to self-isolation period for people with Covid

Boris Johnson announced this week that all remaining Covid restrictions in England could be scrapped by the end of the month.

Current rules require anyone who tests positive to self-isolate for at least five full days. However, Mr Johnson said that he expected the requirement to end early as long as the current trends in the data continued.

“It is my intention to return on the first day after the half-term recess to present our strategy for living with Covid,” Mr Johnson said at the start of Prime Minister’s Questions.

“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.”

The law will be replaced with guidance to self-isolate if a person tests positive for Covid. Under the proposed rules, Covid will be treated in a similar way to flu, with guidance to stay at home but no penalties for going to shops, work or school.

The current rules in England allows people to end their self-isolation after 5 full days, as long as they test negative on day 5 and day 6.

Visit the Government website for more information on the current rules.

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