Doctor Hilary Jones was left red faced and having- to do some serious backtracking to do after giving out some incorrect advice on self isolating to Good Morning Britain.
As he has been for much of the past year during the coronavirus pandemic, the ITV daytime show's resident medic was on screen on Tuesday to discuss the news that England players Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell had been forced to self isolate after coming into, what was deemed as 'close contact' with Scotland's Billy Gilmour, who tested positive for coronavirus.
Like many England fans, GMB presenters Susanna Reid and Adil Ray were slightly confused as to why the Three Lions duo had been forced into isolation, when all of the Scottish team were free to play against Croatia on Tuesday.
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Susanna also pointed to the fact that if a school pupils tests positive, their classmates have to self-isolate, so couldn't understand why the Scottish players didn't have to.
Asked what the current guidance was on isolating, Dr Hilary attempted to give clarity but ended up majorly confusing matters, when he told the presenting duo and viewers at home: "After the second dose of the Pfizer vaccine, 15 days, err a week after the Janssen, and 14 days after Moderna and Astrazeneca, you don't have to self isolate if you come into contact with someone who has tested positive.
"I believe that's the case."
Immediately suggesting his advice was wrong, Susanna jumped in to respond: "I don't think that is the case."
However, Dr Hilary stood by his advice and told her: "If you have been double jabbed with those vaccines, you don't need to self isolate."
Still having none of it, Susanna again challenged him, this time replying: ""I don't think that is the case, that's news to all of us. Currently we are being told to isolate..."
After Adil suggested that Dr Hilary's advice was perhaps a 'suggestion' rather than official guidance as things stand, the medic replied: "Yeah I believe so. I’ll check and come back to you."
And, having had a chance to seek clarification, Dr Hilary admitted he was wrong, telling everyone that regardless of your vaccine status, if you get told to self-isolate you must for the full period instructed by the NHS.
Back tracking, he said: "I stand corrected on what I said earlier, at the moment, if you’ve been double jabbed, you still have to self-isolate if you’ve been exposed to someone who has tested positive."
Hilary did however then add that, as reports in the press suggest, the rules on isolating could change once everyone is vaccinated.
