Now Wales caves in over Covid isolation: Labour administration cuts quarantine to five days to bring country into line with England as Omicron cases fall – after Nicola Sturgeon eased Scotland’s pandemic rules
- Health minister Eluned Morgan confirmed the changes will come on January 28
- People can end isolation if they have two negative LFTs on days five and six
- Brings the nation in line with the measures already in place in England
Wales abandoned its tough stand on Covid today as its self-isolation period was cut to five days in the face of plummeting
From Friday people will be able to end their isolation as long as they have two negative lateral flow tests on days five and six.
Health minister Eluned Morgan confirmed the changes would come into force from January 28, the same day the country is expected to complete the move to alert level zero.
It will bring the nation in line with the measures already in place in England and Northern Ireland.
And it comes the day after Nicola Sturgeon drastically softened Scotland’s Covid rules, including ending working from home guidance.
Health minister Eluned Morgan confirmed the changes would come into force from January 28, the same day the country is expected to complete the move to alert level zero.
It will bring the nation in line with the measures already in place in England and Northern Ireland (Boris Johnson pictured today)
Baroness Morgan said: ‘After carefully reviewing all the available evidence, we believe that testing on days five and six together with five full days of isolation will have the same protective effect as a 10-day isolation period.
‘But it is really important everyone self-isolates and uses lateral flow tests in the way advised to ensure they protect others from the risk of infection.’
The minister said that while isolation was important to prevent transmission of the virus, long periods of isolation could ‘have a negative impact on our mental health and can be damaging for our public services and the wider economy’.
Those who test positive on either day five or day six will still have to continue to self-isolate until they have two negative tests taken 24 hours apart or until day 10, whichever comes first.
Conservatives as well as many businesses have been calling for the reduction of the self-isolation period to reduce pressure on the workforce created through Covid-related staff absences.
Financial support through the Self-Isolation Support Scheme will still be available but will return to an offer of £500 reduced from £750 in recognition of the shorter isolation period.
Anyone who needs support with essentials such as shopping and pharmacy goods will be able to access the fund through their local authority and voluntary organisations.
Scottish First Minister Sturgeon bowed to pressure to axe working from home rules last night as she revealed a ‘phased’ return to the office for millions of Scots.
She told MSPs the Scottish Government is updating its guidance to take effect from next Monday.
Ms Sturgeon has said a requirement for two-metre physical distancing in settings where face coverings are exempt is being reduced to one metre.
The change will apply to settings such as religious services and those carrying out receptionist duties.
Updating MSPs at Holyrood yesterday, the First Minister also announced a change affecting organised activities for children.
She said: ‘From Friday, face coverings will no longer be required for any adult taking part in organised activities when they are directly interacting with children under the age of five.’
The requirement for secondary school pupils to wear face masks will receive ‘careful consideration’.
Scottish Conservative Leader Douglas Ross said: ‘While some people will still want to work from home, why doesn’t the First Minister leave that decision up to employers and workers?
‘And what does she think this means for the many businesses who rely on workers being in the office and back in our town and city centres?’
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