Fully Vaccinated People Will Still Have to Self-Isolate If They Come into Contact with Covid after June 21st

It turns out that life will not return to normal past the “end” of lockdown – even for those who are fully vaccinated. Reports suggest that people who have had two doses of a Covid vaccine will still have to self-isolate for 10 days if they come into contact with someone infected with Covid after June 21st – even if they subsequently test negative for Covid themselves. The Telegraph has the story.

The continued imposition of quarantine for those who have been vaccinated is likely to undermine plans for “normality” to return next month because people may be deterred from going to crowded places if they face the threat of enforced self-isolation.

Workplaces may also be loath to mix vaccinated and unvaccinated staff if a case of Covid could see dozens of staff being forced into quarantine.  

In America, fully vaccinated people do not need to quarantine if they have come into contact with someone who has had Covid unless they are showing symptoms, according to guidance from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Conclusions from a review into social distancing rules are due to be announced next week, with a relaxation of the need to keep one metre apart indoors and wear face masks possible from June 21st – the final stage in Boris Johnson’s reopening roadmap for England.

However, well-placed Government sources argued that it was important that the contact tracing system remained in place because it remained possible to catch and pass on Covid if vaccinated. “There is still a risk of getting the virus and spreading it on,” said one.

It means millions of people who have had two doses of the vaccine could still be made to spend 10 days at home if the NHS alerts them that they have been in close contact with an infected person.

Close contact is defined as having a face-to-face conversation, being within one metre for one minute or within two metres for 15 minutes. Not even a subsequent negative test would be enough to allow them to end their quarantine…

Continuing the self-isolation rule will prompt questions about the Government’s faith in the vaccines and whether it is maximising the benefits of its successful jab rollout. 

Worth reading in full.