UK health secretary Sajid Javid on Thursday confirmed that the Covid-19 self-isolation period will be cut in England from seven to five full days, following growing pressure from business and health sectors over the impact of Omicron-linked staff absences.
In a statement to the House of Commons, Javid confirmed that from January 17, individuals will be permitted to end their self-isolation after five days, if they have negative lateral flow results on both day five and day six and do not have a temperature.
“From Monday people can test twice before they go, leaving isolation at the start of day six,” he told MPs. “These two tests are critical to these balanced and proportionate plans, and I’d urge everyone to take advantage of the capacity we have built up in tests so we can restore the freedoms to this country while we’re keeping everyone safe.”