COVID-sufferers will have to self-isolate for just seven days under new rules if they test negative in two lateral flow tests, it was revealed last night.
Ministers say, following advice from experts, that people can take the first on day six and the second 24 hours later.
They can then go out but will be urged to limit contact, wear face masks in public and work from home if they can.
UK Health Security Agency Chief Executive Dr Jenny Harries said: “This new guidance will help break chains of transmission and minimise the impact on lives and livelihoods.”
She said it was crucial people carried out the tests.
Health Secretary Sajid Javid said: “We want to reduce the disruption from Covid-19 to people’s everyday lives.
“Following advice from our clinical experts we are reducing the self-isolation period from ten days to seven if you test negative for two days running.”
The move will reduce pressure on employees working while others are self-isolating owing to the Omicron wave.
The British Medical Association has warned as many as 50,000 NHS staff will be self-isolating by Christmas Day.
NHS Employers boss Danny Mortimer said wide-scale disruption was inevitable if cases went on rising at a rapid rate.
Read our Covid-19 live blog for the latest updates
He said reports suggested 130,000 mental health, ambulance, community and hospitals staff could be off on Christmas Day.
He said: “With bed occupancy at 93 per cent, this is increasingly worrying.”
