Major Covid change for England

Sajid Javid has announced the period people will need to isolate after testing positive for Covid-19 will be cut to five days.

Anyone who tests positive will now be able to get back to work, school or college in less than a week.

Previously people had to stay home for 10 days, then seven and the rule will now be changed again.

The rule will apply in England.

Mr Javid has told MPs the time Covid-19 cases in England have to spend in self-isolation will be cut to allow people to leave after completing a “minimum” of five full days, with negative tests on days five and six.

The Health Secretary said: “This virus is still with us. And there are still likely to be difficult weeks ahead.”

Sajid Javid told the Commons ONS data shows “encouraging signs that infections are falling in London and the east of England”.

“But we’re still currently seeing infections rise in other parts of the country. And the data does not, as of yet, reflect the impact of people returning to work and school. So, we must proceed with caution.”