The number of days anyone with coronavirus symptoms has to self-isolate for has been extended.
Under new guidance, anyone in the community with symptoms or a positive test result must self-isolate for 10 days instead of seven.
The UK's four Chief Medical Officers have made changes to the current self-isolation period following new evidence on how long a person can be infectious for.
Anyone who is mildly ill or are recovering are believed to be infectious between seven and nine days after the illness started.
It's hoped the changes will protect those who have been shielding and limit community transmission ahead of the autumn and winter months.
A joint statement issued on the changes explains: "In symptomatic people COVID-19 is most infectious just before, and for the first few days after symptoms begin.
"It is very important people with symptoms self-isolate and get a test, which will allow contact tracing.
“Evidence, although still limited, has strengthened and shows that people with COVID who are mildly ill and are recovering have a low but real possibility of infectiousness between 7 and 9 days after illness onset.
“We have considered how best to target interventions to reduce risk to the general population and consider that at this point in the epidemic, with widespread and rapid testing available and considering the relaxation of other measures, it is now the correct balance of risk to extend the self-isolation period from 7 to 10 days for those in the community who have symptoms or a positive test result.
“This will help provide additional protection to others in the community. This is particularly important to protect those who have been shielding and in advance of the autumn and winter when we may see increased community transmission.”
The changes have been signed off by Chief Medical Officer for Scotland, Dr Gregor Smith, Chief Medical Officer for England, Professor Chris Whitty, Chief Medical Officer for Northern Ireland, Dr Michael McBride and Chief Medical Officer for Wales, Dr Frank Atherton.
