Boris Johnson has signalled his support for cutting the Covid self-isolation period to five days just as the Scotland’s top medical adviser said it was “far too early” for another cut in quarantine rules.
The Prime Minister said the Government was “looking at” again reducing the quarantine period in England from seven to five days if the scientific advice recommended it.
Education Secretary Nadhim Zahawi, the UK Education Secretary, publicly called for a move to a five-day isolation period on Sunday, following a similar decision in the United States.
But Scotland’s national clinical director has warned it is “far too early” to move toward a five day self-isolation period for covid.
Jason Leitch said the Scottish Government saud the policy posed too many risks amid a raging debate on the correct balance between the time people with covid need to stay indoors and protecting staff levels in public services and businesses.
In England the self-isolation period was reduced from ten days to seven in December, a move that was only backed by the Scottish Government last week.
Although more than half of Tory cabinet ministers are reported to back demands from businesses that the quarantine period be cut to five days Scottish Health Secretary Yousaf has set himself against a change.
He said:” We’re not contemplating at this stage going from seven days to five.”
Jason Leitch said on Monday that there was no suggestion of moving to five says of self-isolation.
He added: “They’ve done it in some limited parts of the world, but the data suggests that’s a risk, particularly at higher levels of infection. So we’re not intending to do that.”
Boris Johnson also suggested lateral flow tests would continue to be distributed for free “as long as they’re very important”. Asked if the current arrangements would stay in place for just weeks, or months, he replied: “I think we will use them as long as they’re very important.”
To sign up to the Daily Record Politics newsletter, click here.
