# UK reduces COVID-19 self-isolation to 7 days for most in England
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2021-12-22
Category: NEWS
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/news
Meta Title: UK reduces COVID self-isolation to 7 days with negative
Meta Description: New guidelines allow for shorter isolation with negative lateral flow tests, aiming to minimize disruptions and protect public health.
URL: https://financedigest.com/uk-reduces-covid-19-self-isolation-to-7-days-for-most-in-englandhtml

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LONDON (Reuters) – The British government said that from Wednesday it was reducing the COVID-19 self-isolation period to seven days from 10 days for people in England who get a negative result on a lateral flow test two days in a row.

With the Omicron variant spreading rapidly in Britain and record levels of cases over the past week, many industries are struggling with staff shortages, including hospitals which have warned of the risk of an impact on patient safety.

The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) said its analysis suggested a seven-day isolation period alongside two negative lateral flow test results had nearly the same protective effect as a 10-day isolation period without testing.

We want to reduce the disruption from [COVID-19 to people’s everyday lives,”](https://www.financedigest.com/freedom-day-sydney-reopens-as-australia-looks-to-live-with-covid-19.html "‘Freedom Day’: Sydney reopens as Australia looks to live with COVID-19") health secretary Sajid Javid said in a statement.

Rapid lateral flow tests, which are provided free by Britain’s National Health Service, can be self-administered by [people at home and give a result](https://www.financedigest.com/uk-pm-sunak-election-results-show-people-want-us-to-deliver-for-them.html "UK PM Sunak: Election results show people want us to deliver for them") in 15 to 30 minutes.

Those who [receive a negative lateral flow](https://www.financedigest.com/controlling-your-business-cash-flow-with-effective-accounts-receivables-turnover-ratios.html "Controlling Your Business Cash Flow With Effective Accounts Receivables Turnover Ratios") result on day six and day seven of their self-isolation period, with tests taken 24 hours apart, will no longer have to isolate for 10 days, the government said.

The UKHSA said it “strongly advised” those who [leave their self-isolation after seven days](https://www.financedigest.com/putins-victory-day-speech-leaves-no-clue-on-future-escalation.html "Putin’s Victory Day speech leaves no clue on future escalation") to limit contact with others in crowded or poorly ventilated spaces, work from home and minimise contact with those most vulnerable to COVID-19.

The new approach reflects latest evidence on how long cases transmit the virus for, and [supports essential public services](https://www.financedigest.com/bny-mellon-strengthens-support-for-treasury-services-clients-in-germany-with-appointment-of-gungor-taner.html "BNY MELLON STRENGTHENS SUPPORT FOR TREASURY SERVICES CLIENTS IN GERMANY WITH APPOINTMENT OF GÜNGÖR TANER") and supply chains over the winter, while still limiting the spread of the virus,” the UKHSA said.

There are currently 129 people in [hospital with the Omicron](https://www.financedigest.com/scotland-reports-fewer-covid-19-hospitalizations-with-omicron.html "Scotland reports fewer COVID-19 hospitalizations with Omicron") variant and so far 14 people have died with it, according to UK government data.

Scotland and Wales have said they will introduce new [restrictions to curb](https://www.financedigest.com/chinas-covid-resurgence-spurs-new-curbs-foxconn-imposes-restrictions.html "China’s COVID resurgence spurs new curbs, Foxconn imposes restrictions") the virus’ spread.

However, British Prime Minister Boris [Johnson said on Tuesday he would not be introducing new measures in England](https://www.financedigest.com/betting-omicron-has-peaked-johnson-drops-covid-rules-in-england.html "Betting Omicron has peaked, Johnson drops COVID rules in England") before Christmas, but the situation remained extremely difficult and the government might need to act afterwards.

Further restrictions will depend on the data received.

As the [prime minister](https://www.financedigest.com/economist-odor-picked-as-slovakias-caretaker-prime-minister.html "Economist Odor picked as Slovakia’s caretaker prime minister") said, the decision is finely balanced. The whole government is looking at all the [data on a daily basis and we keep](https://www.financedigest.com/dollar-buoyant-as-robust-u-s-data-keep-fed-hawks-in-control.html "Dollar buoyant as robust U.S. data keep Fed hawks in control") that very carefully under review,” said Javid.

He said if new restrictions were required, the government would not hesitate to act.

The UKHSA said it will publish its latest assessment of the severity of Omicron on Thursday.

(Reporting by Kylie MacLellan Additional reporting by James Davey; Editing by Jonathan Oatis, Mark Potter and Toby Chopra)


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