Thread by @RenuBindra

We have updated self-isolation guidance. From today, if you have COVID, it is possible to end SI after 7 days rather than 10, as long as you have two negative LFD tests *taken 24 hours apart*. gov.uk/government/pub…
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You can now take an LFD test from the 6th day of SI, and another 24 hrs later. If both are negative, *and you do not have a high temperature*, you can end SI *after the 2nd -ve test result*. Many COVID symptoms can last a long time but this does not = still infectious 2/13

Count your isolation period from the day your symptoms started. If you didn’t have any symptoms but you have a positive test (LFD or PCR), count from the day of the first positive test. This is effectively “day zero” 3/13

So if🤞🏽I develop symptoms today (Wed 22nd Dec), and I have no fever on Tue 28th Dec, I can take an LFD test on the 28th (day 6) and another one on Wed 29th Dec (day 7). If both results are negative I can end my SI on the 29th 4/13

What if my LFD test on 28th Dec is positive? I will need to wait 24hrs before taking another LFD test (on Wed 29th - day 7) and then again on Thu 30th (day 8). If both results are negative I can end my SI on the 30th. And so on 5/13

The important thing is to have two consecutive negative LFD tests taken 24 hours apart, and not before day 6 *we know its complicated*
You can order a test at gov.uk/order-coronavi… or ask someone to collect them from a pharmacy for you 6/13

Also important: if you end your SI early please be careful around others for the next few days. Whilst you are no longer likely to be infectious, we strongly advise limiting close contact with others/avoiding crowed places/vulnerable people <screenshot> 7/13

As an added precaution, we have talked to our colleagues in NHSE and DHSC and will be advising heath and care staff in this situation to take additional tests until day 10. Guidance will be updated later this morning 8/13

I know that many of you are currently isolating due to COVID. As this is a guidance based change, this advice also applies to you from day 6 of you SI. I wish you all a speedy recovery 🙏🏽 9/13

Why? We have⬆️data/modelling on how long people remain infectious (publishing soon), how LFD tests correlate re: infectiousness and how they perform v. Omicron assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/upl…. This change balances risk of transmission v. long isolation/supporting essential services 10/13

This change applies to anyone with COVID whether or not they are vaccinated. But vaccines are still the best way (other than not getting vaccinated) of preventing seious illness or admission to hospital #GetVaccinatedNow #GetBoostedNow 11/13

There is no change to the advice for contacts. You can read guidance for contacts here gov.uk/government/pub… 12/13

That was a long thread for me! We know this guidance is long/complex but hope it contains the important information people need. A big shout out to the @UKHSA publishing team🙌🏽 working tirelessly behind the scenes to help us get guidance out in good time. You guys 😍#heroes 13/13

Should say: This change applies to anyone with COVID whether or not they are vaccinated. But vaccines are still the best way (other than not getting INFECTED) of preventing serious illness or admission to hospital #GetVaccinatedNow #GetBoostedNow 11/13