Brits who test positive for Covid 'will no longer have to self-isolate'

Government ministers are reportedly planning to get back to normal life amid plans to scrap the test and trace system and free tests.

Covid self-isolation rules to be scrapped

The current law, introduced during the pandemic, which means people are forced to isolate would also be scrapped.

The plans, known as Operation Rampdown, will no longer require people to isolate for ten days following a positive test for coronavirus, according to leaked official documents being reported widely in the national press. 

The new plans would also see the £500 payment to people who would struggle financially scrapped as well as access to free testing.

However, No 10 sources tried to distance ministers from the document on Sunday and denied the April target.

“No ministers have asked for this or seen it,” one source said according to The Guardian, which has reported that the documents have been prepared by the UK Health Security Agency. 

“It’s far too early to be talking about any of this stuff when don’t know where we will be in terms of case numbers or state of the pandemic."

New plans welcomed by expert

In the alleged document it apparently says that Covid will remain at an “endemic” level for years to come, however the respiratory disease will circulate at lower levels than it has done.

The government will aim to tackle local outbreaks of the disease and focus on high-risk settings such as care homes.

Prof Robert Dingwall, of Nottingham Trent University, said: “I very much welcome the fact people are planning for the end of the emergency and the restoration of everyday life.

“Treating covid like any other respiratory infection should encourage people to dial down the fear and anxiety that have bedevilled the country for the past couple of years.”