Health chiefs extend coronavirus self-isolation to 10 days

The self-isolation period required for people, who have coronavirus symptoms or a positive test result, has been extended to ten days rather than one week.
Travellers returning from Spain now have to isolate for 14 days. Health chiefs have extended the UK self-isolation period to 10 days. Photo: Lisa FergusonTravellers returning from Spain now have to isolate for 14 days. Health chiefs have extended the UK self-isolation period to 10 days. Photo: Lisa Ferguson
Travellers returning from Spain now have to isolate for 14 days. Health chiefs have extended the UK self-isolation period to 10 days. Photo: Lisa Ferguson

The UK’s four chief medical officers – Scotland’s Dr Gregor Smith, England’s Professor Chris Whitty, Dr Michael McBride of Northern Ireland, and Welsh chief Dr Frank Atherton – have issued a joint statement explaining their decision.

It says: “In symptomatic people Covid-19 is most infectious just before, and for the first few days after symptoms begin. It is very important people with symptoms self-isolate and get a test, which will allow contact tracing.

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“Evidence, although still limited, has strengthened and shows that people with Covid who are mildly ill and are recovering have a low but real possibility of infectiousness between seven and nine days after illness onset.

“We have considered how best to target interventions to reduce risk to the general population and consider that at this point in the epidemic, with widespread and rapid testing available and considering the relaxation of other measures, it is now the correct balance of risk to extend the self-isolation period from seven to 10 days for those in the community who have symptoms or a positive test result.

“This will help provide additional protection to others in the community. This is particularly important to protect those who have been shielding and in advance of the autumn and winter when we may see increased community transmission.”

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