NEL health bosses warn the risk of getting COVID is still high

People who are fully vaccinated against Covid-19 will no longer have to isolate if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for the virus.

From Monday, people in England who have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine, or are under 18, will not have to spend 10 days in quarantine if they are a contact of a positive case, a change which has been hailed "another step back towards normality".

They will be advised to take a PCR test, but that will not be compulsory and they will not have to self-isolate while they wait for the result.

If someone develops symptoms of the virus, the Government says they should self-isolate and get a PCR test, and stay in isolation until the result comes back.

The new guidance will apply to people who had their final dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days before coming into contact with a positive case.

Well North East Lincolnshire's public health director is warning rates could go up in schools from September.

Speaking to us, Geoff Barnes said:

“Its going to be challenging especially when schools and colleges go back it will hopefully persuade people with the value of the double vaccination and the positive impact it can have on their lives they think we might see schools impacted.

“We’re seeing an Extremely high uptake in 70 plus - greater than 95% for both doses in terms of younger people there is quite a bit to be done to get the second dose that's partly due to time scales but I think we also need to persuade people that the second dose is really needed to deal with the delta variant

“It’s certainly a good idea for the employment perspective - a lot of areas have been struggling in terms of having their staff off work over the summer. Where we've had very high rates across the region what impact it will have on the spread of the virus I think remains to be seen.

“We’re still getting a lot of people in hospital even quite young people who haven't been vaccinated and pregnant women in particular being impacted. I just say it's not over it in terms of encouraging people to act safely I think those messages are important now as they've ever been."

People in Grimsby have been sharing their views too, with many saying they think today's move is a good step forward in the fight against coronavirus:

“Because I haven’t been jabbed, that would be fine yeah, it's about protecting each other I think it's a good idea it's about time they stopped it now."

Another said:

“If it requires self isolation for those who can't get double jabbed yet then so be it until times right.”