Sajid Javid: Self-isolation for double-jabbed and under 18s to end from 16 August

Those who have received two vaccination doses will no longer have to self-isolate if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19 from 16 August, Sajid Javid has confirmed.

Making an announcement in the Commons on changes to the government’s self-isolation policy, the newly appointed health secretary also said that self-isolation rules for those aged under 18 will also end on the same date.

At present, people identified as a close contact of someone who has tested positive for coronavirus will receive an alert from the Test and Trace app or a phone call from a tracer telling them to isolate for 10 days.

For those who have only received one vaccination or those who have not been vaccinated, the requirement to self-isolate after coming into contact with an infected person will remain in place.

The government hopes the new system will bring an end to the disruption of individuals being made to stay in their homes, in some cases, for multiple periods of ten days.

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Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Javid said the NHS Test and Trace programme would be made more “proportionate” under the changes.

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He added that it is “absolutely right” that the government takes a different approach with those who have received both jabs.

Newspaper reports last week had suggested the government planned to drop all legal requirements for individuals in this category if they encountered a confirmed case of COVID-19.

Instead, it was suggested that those double-jabbed would soon be advised to take daily tests rather than having to self-isolate.

The heath secretary’s comments come a day after Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced that almost all COVID rules will be ditched as part of the final step of the roadmap for lifting lockdown restrictions in England.

This includes limits on the number of people who can meet together, legal requirements on wearing face masks and social distancing in pubs and bars.

However, the PM did not announce any changes to the government’s self-isolation policy in his update.

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Last week, Downing Street said it was looking at whether to drop all legal self-isolation measures for fully vaccinated people who come into contact with someone who is infected “as part of the post-Step 4 world”.

Ministers had already been considering replacing self-isolation with daily testing depending on the results of a number of pilots currently being carried out.

But officials confirmed this weekend that additional thought was going into making the testing requirement advisory rather than mandatory for those who have had two jabs.

The last step of the government’s roadmap is due to take place on 19 July – subject to four key tests being met – with a final decision on whether to go ahead to be taken in a week’s time following a review of the latest data.

The PM wants to move away from ministerial edicts for managing the coronavirus pandemic.

Instead, people in England will be encouraged to use their personal judgement on the risks of infection – with the prime minister wishing to see a new way of living with the virus.

But Labour have accused the government of being “reckless” by aiming to remove the majority of measures in two weeks’ time, while Mr Johnson was criticised for scrapping legal requirements on face masks.

Making a statement on coronavirus in the Commons on Monday, Mr Javid told MPs ministers would also set out “how we intend to exempt under-18s who are close contacts from the requirement to self-isolate”.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson is due to make an announcement on this on Tuesday afternoon.

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