The Government has announced that those who are double jabbed, or aged under 18, will no longer have to self-isolate if they come into contact with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Sajid Javid, the new Health Secretary, has confirmed that from 16th August those who come into contact with others who have tested positive will no longer have to self-isolate if they have received both COVID vaccine doses, or are aged under 18.
However, those who test positive will still have to self-isolate. That said, there is no law that forces individuals to take a test – but it may still be a requirement for those travelling internationally. Further information on changes to travel is expected to be given later this week.
The news means that life really can return to normal this summer, with the new school year starting in September without the need for whole swathes of students to be sent home. The ‘bubbles’ system is being officially scrapped, the Education Secretary has confirmed.
Individuals must allow 2 weeks to pass after having their second jab before they are allowed to be exempt from self-isolating. Those aged under 18 will have a 4 month grace period to give them enough time to be vaccinated.
Advice will be issued as to whether individuals should get tested, dependent on their age.
Sajid Javid has today said:
“I understand that some people are cautious about their idea of easing restrictions, but we must balance the risks – the risks of a virus that has diminished but not defeated, against the risks of keeping these restrictions and the health, social and economic hardship that we know they bring.
Article continues below this advertisement “This pandemic is far from over and we will continue to proceed with caution.
“But we’re increasingly confident that our plan is working and that we can soon begin a new chapter based on the foundations of personal responsibility and common sense rather than the blunt instrument of rules and regulations.”
Have just come from the thread with the picture of Boris waving his arms in the air. One only has to see the responses from the people who won’t wear masks compared to the more responsible people who will. The nasty and selfish brigade are triumphantly rearing their ugly heads all over the place right now. Just think of a society where everyone died out except them. I wonder how they would manage? All the pleasure seekers and “we do as we like” types, how long would they last? Without the more responsible people to manage things, not very long probably.
They wouldn’t last long but they would go out with a bang enjoying themselves ! I would imagine that they would fit in 100 days of living then you have managed in 100 years!…bless x
And just now on the radio it is stated you can still get and spread it even if you’ve had both vaccines.
Questions for IE:
1. Why can’t we edit our posts now to put right any typos?
2. Why can’t we reply in a thread more than 4 times? If someone says something or asks something that warrants a reply, why take away the option to do so? Also someone may have replied 4 times but only 2 of their comments will show up but the site still blocks you.
Yes, it has never been said it gives you 100% immunity. And if you have it you can spread it. What it does do, like the Flu jab, makes it very hard for you to catch it and if you do the symptoms are very mild. Why the infection rate is going throw the roof but the death rate is at an all time low. That’s the vaccine working!
So people who can’t have the vaccine but whose immune systems don’t produce the antibodies have to face a life of shutting themselves away because other people refuse to wear a mask on buses or in shops? Many people come into the category of having to worry even more now. Had a little respite and felt better once lockdowns were in place, but now back to feeling like they’re in danger every day. They still have to go out and get shopping, not everyone has other people to do things for them and can’t get everything you want online and want to be able to see what you’re buying, especially with vegetables and such.
So as infection numbers are rising, as hospital admissions are increasing and deaths also rising, Boris’s idiots say “OK folks, time to give up, do what you want”. Anyone see the problem here?
It happens in bad Flu years and no one bats an eyelid so no, I can’t see a problem at all.
If you cant see it I guess you are part of the problem. No surprise there.
There’s no problem…we just have to learn to live with it, end of ! Sometimes you can’t battle nature, maybe the Human race deserves everything that it gets ? If you insist on blaming someone, blame the Chinese !
And the poor NHS staff who have battled through all of this are now expected to keep on going. They must be exhausted but still some people think this virus is not as bad as the media make it out to be.
The economy needs to start to rebulid that is a given, but why oh why must it be suddenly on 19th July all restrictions are lifted? Is it really that much of a problem to wear a mask in shops and other places where there are crowds of people?
Sadly some selfish people think it is! I heard someone say recently, that what have you got to lose from wearing a mask? Nothing. What have you got to lose from not wearing a mask? Maybe nothing but someone else may lose their life from you not wearing one, but I guess the ones who refuse to wear one just because they don’t want to and don’t see why they should, wouldn’t care about that anyway.
19th July?? When do Boris and his fellow MPs break up for their summer hols? I wonder! At least when they do what they want they won’t end up as being in the headlines for breaking the rules. Coincidence? My guess will be, opps there’s a new variant and numbers have gone up more than we thought back into lockdown!