THOSE who have had two doses of the Covid vaccine will not need to self-isolate if they come into contact with a positive case.

The Health Secretary Sajid Javid has today confirmed the major change under a review of the NHS Test and Trace system designed to make it more "proportionate."

He told MPs that from August 16, anyone who is fully vaccinated will not need to self-isolate if they come into contact with a positive case. 

It follows on from the easing of almost all lockdown restrictions, including mandatory use of face coverings, from July 19.

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Mr Javid told MPs: “We will soon be able to take a risk-based approach that recognises the huge benefits that the vaccines provide both to people who get the jab and their loved ones too.

“So from 16 August when even more people will have the protection of both doses, and when modelling suggests the risks from the virus will be even lower, anyone who’s a close contact of a positive case will no longer have to self-isolate if they have been fully vaccinated.

“If someone gets their second dose just before or just after 16 August, they’ll need to wait two weeks, after which their second jab can take effect and give them these new freedoms.”

Mr Javid said that those double-jabbed should still take PCR tests as they will still be contacted by NHS Test and Trace to say they've been in close contact with a positive case.

Read more: Businesses could still ask you to wear face coverings once all restrictions are lifted

He said: “We’ll be drawing on the huge capacity we’ve built for testing and sequencing and advising close contacts who are fully vaccinated to take a PCR test as soon as possible so they can get certainty about their condition.”

“And of course anyone that tests positive will have to self-isolate whether they have had the jab or not.”

He added: “This new approach means that we can manage the virus in a way that’s proportionate to the pandemic while maintaining the freedoms that are so important to us all.”

But in a move that is hoped will free up constraints on the education system, Mr Javid confirmed under 18s would also not need to self-isolate.

He said: “So in line with the approach for adults, anyone under the age of 18 who is a close contact of a positive case will no longer have to self-isolate.

“Instead they’ll be given advice about whether they should get tested, dependent on their age and will need to self-isolate only if they test positive.

“These measures will also come into force on August 16 ahead of the autumn school term.”

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