Self-isolation reduced to ten days in Wales

The time people have to self-isolate for coronavirus in Wales has reduced from 14 days to 10, as from today, 10 December.

Reducing the isolation period to 10 days is endorsed by The Chief Medical Officer for Wales Officer, Dr Frank Atherton and is based on the current available evidence around likelihood of being infectious as a contact after 10 days.

Following this advice the Minister for Health and Social Services has approved the amendment to the Health Protection (Coronavirus Restrictions) (No. 4) (Wales) Regulations 2020.

At present, individuals who are contacts of people who have coronavirus and returning travellers from non-exempt countries, are required by law to self-isolate for a period of 14 days - unless they subsequently test positive and are then required to isolate for a period of 10 days from the date of the positive test.

The new self-isolation and quarantine advice will apply to: people who have received a positive test result for COVID-19 and people with symptoms of COVID-19 who are waiting for a test result, or who have not been tested and do not require hospital treatment, who must remain at home for the appropriate self-isolation period.

It also applies to people living in households with someone who shows symptoms that may be caused by COVID-19 or who has received a positive test result for COVID-19; close contacts of positive cases of COVID-19; and travellers returning from non-exempt country.

Minister for Health and Social Services, Vaughan Gething, said: "We know that self-isolating is hard for people and we believe families, communities and business will welcome the announcement today to safely reduce the days in which people have to isolate.

"Self-isolation and quarantine play a key role in stopping the spread of the coronavirus and I want to thank everyone who continues to follow the rules and play their role in Keeping Wales Safe."