The new coronavirus self-isolation rules that came into force today
The UK's chief medical officers have changed the length of the self-isolation period
Sarah HodgsonAudience Editor
New self-isolation rules have come into force across England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland today.
The self-isolation period for contacts of a positive coronavirus case has been slashed from 14 days to 10 days.
It comes after the UK's chief medical officers reviewed evidence and are are "now confident" that they can "reduce the number of days that contacts self-isolate from 14 days to 10 days."
People who return from countries which are not on the travel corridor list should also self-isolate for 10 days instead of 14 days.
People who test positive should continue to self-isolate for 10 days from onset of symptoms or 10 days from point of taking a positive test if asymptomatic.
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This reduction already applies in Wales following an announcement last week, but the new rules took affect in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland at 00.01am today (Monday).
The new rules apply to all those who are currently self-isolating, including those who began doing so before Monday.
"Self-isolation is essential to reducing the spread of Covid as it breaks the chains of transmission," a joint statement by the health chiefs said.
"After reviewing the evidence, we are now confident that we can reduce the number of days that contacts self-isolate from 14 days to 10 days.
They said those who test positive for Covid-19 should continue to self-isolate for 10 days from the onset of symptoms, or from taking a positive test if asymptomatic.
"We urge everyone to self-isolate when appropriate, it will save lives," they added.
Self-isolation periods begin on the day after exposure, a test or the start of symptoms.
The NHS Test and Trace service will tell people to self-isolate for 10 days instead of 14 days from today.
Due to the time taken to test technical changes and release updates through the app store, the NHS COVID-19 app will tell close contacts to isolate for 10 days instead of 14 days from Thursday, December 17.
In England, if you receive a notification from the NHS COVID-19 app before December 17 to isolate because you have been in contact with someone who has tested positive:
if you have also been contacted by NHS Test and Trace you must follow isolation guidance provided by contact tracers
if you have been advised to isolate by the app (and not by NHS Test and Trace) then you can leave isolation when your isolation countdown timer says 3 days
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