MINISTERS will today slash the self-isolation period from two weeks to 10 days to help reunite families for Christmas.
Health chiefs had warned that lots of Brits were not sticking to rules because they are so draconian.
It means Brits can have an extra four days of mixing without running the risk of having to self-isolate on December 25.
But anyone who comes into contact with a Covid patient after next Tuesday will have to self-isolate over Christmas.
Meanwhile, eligible workers ordered to self-isolate by the NHS app will be able to claim £500 in support.
Ministers are also ramping up the roll out of Moonshot mass testing programmes in a bid to pick up ‘secret spreaders’ who do not display any Covid symptoms.
The news will come as a massive relief to families across England who are preparing to make the most of the brief Christmas holiday from lockdown rules.
Up to three households are allowed to come together and form a single ‘festive bubble’ over the five days of Christmas.
Many families are planning to rein in their social contact so they do not risk accidentally spreading the killer bug this festive season.
