By Double-jabbed contacts won’t need to self-isolate from 16 August, says Javid.
“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,” Javid said.
Mr Javid told MPs that from August 16, anyone who is a close contact of a positive case will no longer have to self-isolate if they have received two doses of a vaccine and have given the second jab a fortnight to take effect.
He said: “As we make this change we will be drawing on the huge capacity we have 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.”
NHS
People will, however, still be obliged to self-isolate as before if they test positive for Covid.
The Government has been accused of delaying “Freedom Day” after revealing that fully vaccinated people will still have to follow self-isolation rules until August 16.
The Health Secretary’s announcement follows Boris Johnson’s decision to tear up England’s coronavirus regulations at Step 4 of the road map, expected on July 19.
As under-18s are not routinely jabbed, a similar exemption from self-isolation rules will be extended to them.
The Health Secretary added: “Anyone under the age of 18 who is a close contact of a positive case will no longer have to self-isolate.
“Instead they will be given advice about whether they should get tested, dependent on their age, and will need to self-isolate only if they test positive.”
