Fully vaccinated no longer need to self-isolate in England from today
Instead, lateral flow tests will need to be taken daily to stop the spread
Last updated 27th May 2022
Fully vaccinated people in England will not need to self-isolate when in contact with a confirmed case of the Omicron variant from today.
Instead, anyone who comes into close contact will need to take free daily lateral flow tests to monitor their health.
Those who test positive for coronavirus at any point during their seven day testing will then need to self-isolate for ten days.
All adults and children over the age of 5 will be subject to daily testing, with the only exemptions being infants and children aged 5 and under.
Yesterday (December 13th), the demand to order later flow tests online grew so large that government suppliers had run out of tests, prompting officials to direct the public to pharmacies and schools to pick up boxes.
Noted on the government website, anyone in England who is unvaccinated must remain in self-isolation for ten days if in contact with anyone who has tested positive.
The changes in government guidance come as the UK continues to battle the Omicron variant in the run up to Christmas.
Currently, there are over 3,000 cases of the Omicron variant in the UK, an increase of 65% on the number of confirmed cases than there were on Saturday.
A statement from Health Secretary Sajid Javid on Monday said that roughly 20% of all cases being confirmed in the UK are of the Omicron variant.
According to the government, the Omicron strain of coronavirus is expected to become the dominant variant of cases by the middle of December.
To combat the spread of the variant, the government has rapidly increased the speed of its booster vaccination program, aiming to give all adults a third dose by the end of 2021.
In addition to the vaccine, the government's 'Plan B' is currently in place, requiring face coverings in most indoor settings, as well as the introduction of Covid passports at places of mass gatherings such as nightclubs.
Here is what is happening under the government's 'Plan B':
Face coverings
Face coverings have already become an added feature of our lives since they were reinstated at the beginning of December, but from Friday 10th December face masks will also be needed indoors in places like cinemas and theatres.
Boris Johnson said rules around the wearing of face coverings would be "further extended" to "most public indoor venues" including theatres and cinemas.
The Prime Minister told a press briefing in Downing Street: "There will of course be exemptions where it is not practical, such as when eating, drinking, exercising or singing."
Working from home
Under the rules of "Plan B", the government has reimposed the need to work from home where possible in order to stem the spread of the virus. This guidance comes into place from Monday 13th December.
Nightclubs
Under the government's "Plan B" , COVID passports will become necessary to get into all nightclubs. This is due to the close proximity people would be to each other in the venue and help to reduce the spread of the virus.
Indoor spaces
Indoor settings that have more than 500 people unseated will require a COVID Pass to enter. Examples of settings that would need attendees to have a COVID Pass would include music venues and large receptions.
Outdoor events
Outdoor events are not exempt from using COVID Passes either. Unseated outdoor venues with more than 4,000 people will need people to have a vaccine pass. This includes outdoor music festivals, such as Glastonbury Festival.
Stadiums
COVID Passes will be needed to get into any event that is expecting more than 10,000 people to attend. This would include major sports events such as football matches, as well as music concerts in arenas.
The Prime Minister said: "The NHS Covid pass can still be obtained with two doses but we will keep this under review as the boosters roll out.
"And having taken clinical advice since the emergence of Omicron, a negative lateral flow test will also be sufficient."