Changes to self-isolation rules and increasing vaccine take-up

Date: Thursday 19 August 2021

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From Monday 16 August, people who have received two doses of a covid vaccine or who are aged under 18 are now no longer legally required to self-isolate if they are identified as a close contact of a positive case. This means that fully vaccinated contacts will routinely be able to attend work if they do not have symptoms.

Instead of self-isolating, those who are identified as close contacts of positive covid cases are advised to get a free PCR test as soon as possible. Anyone who tests positive following the PCR test will still be legally required to self-isolate, regardless of their vaccination status or age.

To encourage people to take up the vaccine when offered, NHS England is offering large employers access to local health professionals who staff can speak to confidentially to ask questions or raise concerns they may have about the vaccination. There is also a range of messages explaining the vaccine programme that employers can share with staff through internal staff communication networks.

If you would be interested in learning more about the offer from NHS England please contact Howard Wheeler at the Cabinet Office: howard.wheeler@cabinetoffice.gov.uk

 

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