TWO major changes have come in for Brits regarding testing and isolation.
It's freed up people to get back to work quicker, and keeping labs doing PCR testing slightly less busy.
Although the virus is still spreading at a rapid rate, a string of hugely positive studies show Omicron is milder than other strains in the vaccinated.
The first official UK report revealed the risk of hospitalisation is 50 to 70 per cent lower than with Delta.
Brits are being urged to get their Covid booster jabs which protect against Omicron and offer the best chance to get through the pandemic, health officials have repeatedly said.
So what has changed and what are the new rules?
Testing changes
As of January 11, people living in England who test positive with a DIY lateral flow test won't need to do a follow-up PCR check.
Instead, they can take the lateral flow as gospel and have to start isolating – although must log their positive result on the Government website.
Previously Brits had to have a gold-standard PCR swab after a positive lateral flow – but ministers brought in the temporary requirement to free up testing capacity.
While infection rates are so high, anyone testing positive on a lateral flow can be confident they have the virus.
But you should still have a PCR if you are showing symptoms and have had both a negative or positive lateral flow.
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UKHSA Chief Executive Dr Jenny Harries said: “While cases of Covid continue to rise, this tried-and-tested approach means that LFDs can be used confidently to indicate Covid-19 infection without the need for PCR confirmation.
“It remains really important that anyone who experiences Covid-19 symptoms self-isolates immediately. They should also order a PCR test on gov.uk, or by phoning 119."
Isolation changes
From January 17, people in England who test positive will be able to leave home after five full days.
It comes after the Government was urged by businesses and experts to slash isolation from seven to five days – to get Brits back to work amid a staffing crisis.
But the confusing detail of the new rules means anyone isolating will technically have to do so for six, not five, days.
This is because the first full day of isolation is NOT the day you test positive or noticed symptoms – although you must still isolate following either of these events.
That day is now known as "day zero", with the next day counting as day one, the UK Health Security Agency confirmed.
Covid patients must then test negative on lateral flow tests on day five and six in order to be released from isolation.
An example timeline is as follows:
Monday = Day 0 (when you develop symptoms or get a positive test)
Tuesday = Day 1
Wednesday = Day 2
Thursday = Day 3
Friday = Day 4
Saturday = Day 5 – first lateral flow test
Sunday = Day 6 – second lateral flow test and if both are negative you can leave isolation
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RULES FOR PEOPLE WITH SYMPTOMS
Isolation starts from the day of your first symptoms.
You must remain in isolation for five full days, and can leave after negative lateral flows on days five and six.
So, if you noticed symptoms on Monday morning, which counts as day zero – regardless of when you then tested positive – you can take your first lateral flow test on Saturday (day five). It means you could be free from isolation on Sunday morning after a second negative lateral flow test.
But if you continue to test positive, you must still remain in isolation until you have a negative test.
RULES FOR PEOPLE WITH NO SYMPTOMS
Isolation starts from the day of your first positive lateral flow test.
You must remain in isolation for five full days, and can leave after negative lateral flows on days five and six.
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For example, if you test positive on Monday morning at 11am, which counts as day zero, you must wait until Saturday (day five) to do your first test and see if you are negative. It means you could be free from isolation on Sunday morning after a second negative lateral flow test.
But if you continue to test positive, you must still remain in isolation until you have a negative test.
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