Earlier in the pandemic, it was a requirement to self-isolate for 14 days following a positive Covid test. This was then reduced to 10, then seven and now five days (provided you provide two negative lateral flow tests).
Within the next two weeks, however, the need to isolate after testing positive may not exist at all.
In January, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced ‘Plan B’ Covid measures would come to an end, including working from home and mask-wearing. In this same announcement, he revealed that current isolation rules were due to expire on March 24, and he wished for them not to be renewed.
Today, however, the Prime Minister announced that it was his desire to end this rule a month earlier than planned. Speaking to MPs, he said: “It is my intention to return on the first day after the half-term recess to present our strategy for living with COVID.
“Providing 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.”
Boris Johnson outlined his plan to scrap the need to isolate, which would mean those testing positive could go to work and attend social events, after MPs return from recess on February 21.
As of Friday (February 11), Covid measures will be limited to the current isolation rules and the need for unvaccinated travellers to take a test upon returning from abroad. Fully-vaccinated travellers are no longer required to take a test upon arrival from this date.